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 may 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 record of most exciting hotel 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 the perfect 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 entire course of occurred from the consolation of a settee whereas sipping a complimentary signature mocktail (lemon verbena with recent thyme).
Rooms
Preserving with the concept that water is a focus at this property, the kind of room (and worth 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 arduous to beat. The particular fee 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 (because of my Platinum Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program) to a deluxe room with a non-public pool.
Inside, the room itself adopted the minimalist design distinguished all through the property, with impartial colours accented by brown wooden parts.
The room was set on two ranges, with the mattress and loo up prime and the lounge and couch part down a single step, kind of sunken under the highest stage.
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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 entire house, although, was the personal infinity pool outdoors the sliding glass door. The pool had greater than sufficient house for 2 visitors (and possibly 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 when you’re in a room that is set greater up the hillside, if that issues to you.
Different lodging embrace the swim-up pool that a couple of 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 best 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.
Actually, 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 out of doors setup that leans into the encircling rugged, rocky terrain. Highlights included the kalitsounia (cheese pastries) appetizer for $21, Cretan pilafi (a preferred 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 a couple of daytime drinks) from Suncti, the poolside bar located below a bamboo awning.
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Up on the principle stage of the property, extending outward from the check-in space, the lobby-esque bar Eexis had cocktails, wines and beer accessible throughout our keep and proved a terrific 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 “principal restaurant” for the property, however throughout my go to, it merely supplied 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 properly ready, recent and filled with native taste, at the same time as lots of the venues have been nonetheless getting their footing on service because the resort ramps up its visitor rely.
Facilities
As a traveler perpetually searching for a terrific pool, the highest amenity at this resort is, definitely, the three principal swimming pools — one among 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 just a few steps down the dock to a ladder to decrease your self into the water. Or, you may stroll over to a slender zero-entry seaside.
Health middle
Inside the principle constructing, the fitness center was properly 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 is going to be a serious draw going ahead.
Boat excursions
Along with the property’s principal 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 possibility however one which was not within the funds for this journey.
Associated: 30 best Marriott hotels in the world that you can book with points
Location and logistics
This new JW Marriott property sits on the northern coast of Crete, on the western aspect of the Greek island.
The resort is a couple of 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 method.
It is about 25 to half-hour to the middle of Chania and its Outdated Venetian Harbor, with its myriad of outlets and eating places. You should use the identical personal switch service organized by the resort, which prices 40 euros (about $47) every method. Given this further expense, I would advocate setting apart a single afternoon and night for that go to if it is of curiosity.
The property is a couple of five-minute stroll from a public seaside space and a handful of seaside bar-style eating places, however do not count on 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).
The best way to e book
Over the subsequent six months, nightly charges on the JW Marriott Crete begin as little as $343, or 44,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors.
Visitors hoping to make use of factors and miles to e book the JW Marriott Crete have a couple of choices.
The best method, in fact, 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 Card (see rates and fees), which has additionally been a giant assist in boosting my Marriott Bonvoy elite status. The cardboard has a $95 annual price.
It’s also possible to transfer credit card rewards at a 1:1 ratio from a handful of main packages, together with:
When reserving the JW Marriott Crete, you may need to use a credit card that earns the most points for Marriott stays, in addition to one which presumably gives computerized Bonvoy elite standing for value-added advantages. These embrace:
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at inns taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program, computerized Platinum Elite standing and 25 elite night time credit per 12 months towards the next tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at inns taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program, computerized Gold Elite standing and 15 elite night time credit per 12 months towards the next tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® Credit Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at inns taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program, computerized Gold Elite standing and 15 elite night time credit per 12 months towards the next tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at inns taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program, computerized Gold Elite standing and 15 elite night time credit per 12 months towards the next tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at inns taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program, computerized Silver Elite standing and 15 elite night time credit per 12 months towards the next tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at inns taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program, computerized 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 cause why the JW Marriott Crete appeared on TPG’s record of most anticipated resort openings in 2025, and this property delivers on that pleasure with its shimmering infinity swimming pools, direct entry to the Aegean Sea and unbelievable mountain views. Because the service and facilities totally ramp up within the coming weeks and months, it’s going to be an attractive possibility for any traveler trying to redeem factors within the Greek islands.
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