JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa.
JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa marks the brand’s first beachfront resort in the Mediterranean—a quietly confident debut that sets a new benchmark for luxury hospitality on Crete. Opened in 2024, the resort sits in the hills of Marathi, just outside Chania, with sweeping views over the Aegean Sea, framed by rugged mountains and gloriously untouched terrain.
Style
Architecture is at the heart of the resort’s identity. Designed by Athens-based studio Block722, the property is purposefully woven into the natural landscape, with low-slung buildings that melt into the hills rather than dominate them. Green rooftops planted with native flora, olive and carob trees across the grounds, and a tactile palette of marble, stone and warm wood mirror the surrounding earth and sea. Spanning 100 hectares, the resort feels impressively expansive yet reassuringly intimate. Sightlines are carefully considered: privacy is preserved, views are uninterrupted, and wherever you stand, the drama of mountains behind and shimmering sea ahead does the talking.
Rooms
Accommodation follows the same understated, design-led philosophy across 160 rooms, suites and villas. Options range from generous guest rooms to expansive multi-bedroom villas, many with private or whirlpool pools and broad terraces overlooking the sea. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame either the Aegean or the surrounding hills, blurring the line between inside and out. Interiors are calm and deliberately pared back—soft neutral tones, clean lines and natural textures allow craftsmanship and setting to take centre stage.
Dining
Dining is a cornerstone of the resort experience, with five restaurants celebrating Cretan tradition alongside wider Mediterranean influences. Anoee champions open-fire cooking inspired by local culinary heritage, while Fayi presents refined Mediterranean dishes shaped by seasonal produce. Õnalos leans into sea-to-table dining, reflecting the island’s deep connection to the water, while Cuccagna delivers Italian favourites—from oven-fired pizzas to handmade pastas—adding a comforting note to the mix. Across all venues, ingredients are sourced locally wherever possible, with herbs and produce harvested directly from the resort’s JW Garden.
Two bars complete the offering. Sancti, set by the pool, is an easygoing spot for daytime drinks, while Eéxis Bar—created in collaboration with Line Athens, ranked among the world’s leading cocktail bars—serves inventive cocktails infused with JW Garden herbs and distinctive Cretan flavours.
Wellness & Spa
Wellbeing is woven seamlessly into daily life here, with a strong focus on mindfulness and connection to nature. The Anoseas Spa offers a holistic journey through indoor and outdoor spaces designed to restore both body and mind. Treatments draw inspiration from the surrounding landscape, incorporating local ingredients and techniques. Facilities include five treatment rooms, a dedicated spa suite and a beauty room, all designed with the same calm, tactile elegance found throughout the resort.
Culture Fix
The resort places genuine emphasis on meaningful, place-led experiences. Guests can harvest produce in the JW Garden alongside local farmers, join hands-on cooking classes, take part in cheesemaking workshops or enjoy wine tastings that showcase Crete’s rich craftsmanship. Sunrise yoga sessions and curated excursions—both on and off property—add further depth to the experience.
Beyond the resort, Chania Town lies just 30 minutes away. Its Venetian Harbour reveals layers of history through colourful façades, narrow cobbled streets and a lively waterfront lined with cafés and restaurants—an atmospheric counterpoint to the resort’s serene seclusion.
Reservations: JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa | Luxury Hotel in Chania - Crete
Article written by Esohe Ebohon