Some 100 miles south of mainland Greece, there’s an alluring new island oasis to eliminate your stress — and your stash of Marriott Bonvoy factors, too.
Final month, the JW Marriott in Crete started welcoming visitors to its 160-room hillside resort that hugs the Aegean shoreline, simply outdoors the Cretan metropolis of Chania.
A spot the place you possibly can soak in a non-public infinity pool whereas concurrently taking in views of the Dikti mountains, this new high-end Marriott-affiliated property lives as much as the spot it claimed earlier this 12 months on TPG’s checklist of most enjoyable lodge openings of 2025.
And we have been among the many first paying visitors to test it out. Here is what it was like.
First impressions
When pulling as much as the brand-new JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa, it is clear water figures prominently into all elements of the property, from the shimmering reflection swimming pools surrounding the foyer to the myriad locations to take a dip.
And that is to say nothing of the Aegean Sea, which is accessible simply steps from the resort.
The entire property is constructed into the hillside, with clusters of villas, eating places and swimming pools lining the rugged terrain — with one of the best panoramic views as you climb.
You get a way of calmness as quickly as you arrive on-site: Gentle music performs within the background, a sea breeze gently blows and views of the mountain peaks throughout the cove greet you.
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There isn’t any want to go to the entrance desk at check-in; your complete course of occurred from the consolation of a settee whereas sipping a complimentary signature mocktail (lemon verbena with recent thyme).
Rooms
Conserving with the concept water is a focus at this property, the kind of room (and value you pay) hinges, largely, on the kind of pool you get (or do not get) along with your lodging.
I booked one of many property’s deluxe swim-up rooms, which sounded exhausting to beat. The particular price included breakfast as a part of the property’s opening and got here to 346 euros (about $405) per night time all-in.
Upon arrival, although, the property did me one higher, upgrading me (due to my Platinum Elite standing within the Marriott Bonvoy program) to a deluxe room with a non-public pool.
Inside, the room itself adopted the minimalist design outstanding all through the property, with impartial colours accented by brown wooden parts.
The room was set on two ranges, with the mattress and toilet up prime and the lounge and couch part down a single step, form of sunken under the highest degree.
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The toilet featured an expansive soaking tub with a skylight and a big open bathe space. Toiletries have been from Aromatherapy Associates London.
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By far the star of your complete area, although, was the personal infinity pool outdoors the sliding glass door. The pool had greater than sufficient area for 2 visitors (and doubtless a few children, too,).
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The patio/pool deck got here with a eating desk and two padded lounge chairs, together with seaside towels that housekeeping stored replenished all through the keep.
If I am being choosy, there’s not a ton of privateness whereas sitting on this explicit patio; you are fairly shut each to neighbors and passersby. You additionally haven’t got fairly the views of the ocean and mountains you’d get for those who’re in a room that is set increased up the hillside, if that issues to you.
Different lodging embrace the swim-up pool that just a few rooms share. There are additionally rooms that do not embrace a pool. There are even some extra luxurious suites and multistory villas up the hill, a few of which have been nonetheless below development (fortunately, there have been no points with development noise throughout my keep).
Associated: 14 greatest all-inclusive resorts with swim-up rooms
Eating
The JW Marriott Crete technically has six eating choices, although some have been nonetheless simply of their opening phases throughout my keep.
In actual fact, through the night dinnertime hours, solely two full-service eateries have been open, each overlooking the ocean.
A favourite: Anoee, which serves scrumptious, simply shareable Cretan-inspired dishes in an outside setup that leans into the encompassing rugged, rocky terrain. Highlights included the kalitsounia (cheese pastries) appetizer for $21, Cretan pilafi (a well-liked native rice dish) for $25 and keftedes (Greek meatballs) for $29.
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Steps away was Onalos, the upscale patio-style seafood eatery.
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Throughout the day, we ate all our lunches (and loved just a few daytime drinks) from Suncti, the poolside bar located below a bamboo awning.
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Up on the primary degree of the property, extending outward from the check-in space, the lobby-esque bar Eexis had cocktails, wines and beer out there throughout our keep and proved an incredible place to get pleasure from an early night drink whereas watching the solar set.
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Subsequent door, Fayi is marketed on the Marriott app because the “predominant restaurant” for the property, however throughout my go to, it merely provided an expansive breakfast buffet that mixed American and Mediterranean flavors. It ought to actually fulfill Platinum Elite (and above) Marriott Bonvoy members entitled to free breakfast.
Cuccagna, the adjoining Italian eatery with a brick oven, was set to open on the day I departed.
Property-wide, I discovered the dishes effectively ready, recent and stuffed with native taste, at the same time as most of the venues have been nonetheless getting their footing on service because the resort ramps up its visitor depend.
Facilities
As a traveler endlessly seeking an incredible pool, the highest amenity at this resort is, undoubtedly, the three predominant swimming pools — one in all which is a wading pool and one other is completely for adults — that overlook the Aegean and Crete’s mountains.
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Seaside cabanas
If shut entry to the ocean is extra your vibe, there are cabanas lining the rocky shore that you should utilize free of charge.
From there, it is only some steps down the dock to a ladder to decrease your self into the water. Or, you possibly can stroll over to a slim zero-entry seaside.
Health middle
Inside the primary constructing, the gymnasium was effectively geared up with brand-new cardio and weight machines. Moreover, there was a yoga room used for a wide range of yoga and Pilates group exercises.
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Spa
The property can also be within the technique of opening a spa that, from renderings TPG shared earlier this summer season, appears like it will likely be a serious draw going ahead.
Boat excursions
Along with the property’s predominant facilities, the on-site concierge can join visitors with personal boat reservations that depart from the close by dock. Full-day excursions begin at 1,500 euros ($1,759) … a tempting choice however one which was not within the price range for this journey.
Associated: 30 greatest Marriott lodges on the planet you could e-book with factors
Location and logistics
This new JW Marriott property sits on the northern coast of Crete, on the western facet of the Greek island.
The resort is a few 20-minute drive from Chania Worldwide Airport (CHQ), making for a seamless journey, thanks, partially, to a non-public black car-esque switch the entrance desk arrange forward of arrival. The switch was 35 euros ($41) every manner.
It is about 25 to half-hour to the middle of Chania and its Previous Venetian Harbor, with its myriad of outlets and eating places. You should utilize the identical personal switch service organized by the resort, which prices 40 euros (about $47) every manner. Given this further expense, I might advocate setting apart a single afternoon and night for that go to if it is of curiosity.
The property is a few five-minute stroll from a public seaside space and a handful of seaside bar-style eating places, however do not anticipate a lot close by in the best way of comfort shops, pharmacies and the like.
This resort is the fourth Marriott-affiliated property on the island of Crete and the primary JW Marriott. It is the second close to Chania (the primary being Domes Zeen Chania, a Luxurious Assortment Resort, Crete).
How you can e-book
Over the following six months, nightly charges on the JW Marriott Crete begin as little as $343, or 44,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors.
Friends hoping to make use of factors and miles to e-book the JW Marriott Crete have just a few choices.
The best manner, after all, is to make use of Marriott Bonvoy factors in your account. Personally, I earn the majority of my Marriott factors via purchases charged to the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit score Card (see charges and charges), which has additionally been a giant assist in boosting my Marriott Bonvoy elite standing. The cardboard has a $95 annual charge.
You too can switch bank card rewards at a 1:1 ratio from a handful of main packages, together with:
When reserving the JW Marriott Crete, you will wish to use a bank card that earns probably the most factors for Marriott stays, in addition to one which probably gives automated Bonvoy elite standing for value-added advantages. These embrace:
- Marriott Bonvoy Good® American Categorical® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at lodges taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program, automated Platinum Elite standing and 25 elite night time credit per 12 months towards the next tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Categorical® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at lodges taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program, automated Gold Elite standing and 15 elite night time credit per 12 months towards the next tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® Credit score Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at lodges taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program, automated Gold Elite standing and 15 elite night time credit per 12 months towards the next tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Enterprise® American Categorical® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at lodges taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program, automated Gold Elite standing and 15 elite night time credit per 12 months towards the next tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit score Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at lodges taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program, automated Silver Elite standing and 15 elite night time credit per 12 months towards the next tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Daring® Credit score Card (see charges and charges): Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at lodges taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program, automated Silver Elite standing and 5 elite night time credit per 12 months towards the next tier.
The data for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Backside line
There is a motive why the JW Marriott Crete appeared on TPG’s checklist of most anticipated lodge openings in 2025, and this property delivers on that pleasure with its shimmering infinity swimming pools, direct entry to the Aegean Sea and unimaginable mountain views. Because the service and facilities totally ramp up within the coming weeks and months, it will be an attractive choice for any traveler seeking to redeem factors within the Greek islands.
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