JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa

"Despite a horrible first five days of weather, we had a very good stay at the JW Marriott. Keep in mind that the location is more than half an hour away from Chania. The hotel is located in a very isolated area, which mostly makes for a peaceful stay, though you do sporadically get the noise of F16 fighter jets doing exercises. We even heard the planes flying overhead at 1:00 AM. Fortunately, commercial flights pass far away and do not bother you at all. The complex itself is beautifully designed. I particularly loved the sunbeds located right on the rocks, as it is incredibly zen to lie there and relax. Service was a bit of a mixed bag during our stay. I noticed that the reception staff was not always responding in a professional way. On the other hand, the concierge was excellent and very proactive. We were also kindly upgraded to a jacuzzi room. However, we never actually used the jacuzzi because it was very noisy, even when it wasn't in use. Since we prefer sleeping with the windows open, we ended up asking the staff to disconnect it completely. Given that the hotel has been open for only a year and a half, it is disappointing to see that the bathroom joints are already in a degraded state. Furthermore, the marble-imitation sinks have noticeably lost their coloration, which is unexpected for such a new property." Aside from the hotel's own dining (expensive but excellent) options, there are two nice restaurants located on Marathi Beach: • Loukoulos: This is a fancier option with a nice menu, though it might be a bit overpriced for Greece. • Patrelantonis: A typical taverna where the service is a bit nonchalant, but the food is good. While October has traditionally been a popular shoulder season, I would advise caution when booking travel during this month. Driven by climate change, seasonal weather patterns have become increasingly volatile and difficult to predict. Our recent experience involved five uninterrupted days of severe storms and heavy rain, which significantly impacted our stay. To ensure a more reliable and enjoyable experience, it may be wiser to look into alternative times of the year. Thank you!"

"The hotel is in a beautiful location. Very friendly staff. 4 restaurants where Olanos is certainly the best. Very well-catered breakfast. The water in the pools was not super warm, but as the weather got better, it was fine. The service is sometimes on the slow side, mainly for lunch."

"We had an absolutely fantastic stay at JW Marriott Crete! The resort is located just 10 minutes from Chania Airport and the entire property is beautifully designed and landscaped. The architecture blends seamlessly into the surrounding mountains, making the resort feel like a natural extension of the landscape rather than an intrusive development. Almost every room has its own private pool, which means the main swimming pools are often wonderfully quiet. The adults-only pool, with its breathtaking views over the bay, is particularly stunning. One small suggestion would be to trim some of the vegetation behind the main pool near the pool bar, allowing guests to enjoy the sea views from there as well. The seaside platforms are truly unique and one of the highlights of the resort. We had never experienced anything quite like them before! The rooms are beautifully designed, modern, and very practical. We stayed in a junior suite with a private pool and absolutely loved it. The gym (technogym equipment) and spa( sauna, steam and baths ) are also brand new, with excellent facilities that make the experience even more enjoyable. The dining experience was another highlight. Every restaurant is worth visiting, offering excellent food quality at surprisingly reasonable prices for a luxury resort. Even the room service was delicious, arriving fresh and perfectly warm. The overall service was of a very high standard, especially by European standards. Nearby Marathi has a charming little sandy beach, which is not something you find everywhere in Crete. Apart from that, there isn't much happening in the immediate surroundings, but that was exactly what we were looking for. The entire resort has a wonderfully peaceful, serene atmosphere, making it the perfect place to unwind. A couple of minor suggestions for improvement: complimentary sunscreen by the pools would be a nice luxury touch. We also noticed quite a few wasps during meals. While this is fairly common in Crete, it seemed as though there might be some larger nests nearby. Overall, an outstanding experience and an absolute recommendation for couples looking to relax, enjoy beautiful weather, exceptional food, and a luxurious yet peaceful setting."