JW Marriott Crete review – The Points Guy

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.

Last month, the JW Marriott in Crete started welcoming company 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 excessive-finish Marriott-affiliated property lives as much as the spot it claimed earlier this 12 months on TPG’s checklist of most fun lodge openings of 2025.

And we had been among the many first paying company to test it out. Here’s what it was like.

First impressions

When pulling as much as the model-new JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa, it is clear water figures prominently into all features 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 complete property is constructed into the hillside, with clusters of villas, eating places and swimming pools lining the rugged terrain — with the most effective panoramic views as you climb.

You get a way of calmness as quickly as you arrive on-website: Soft music performs within the background, a sea breeze gently blows and views of the mountain peaks throughout the cove greet you.

There’s no want to go to the entrance desk at examine-in; your entire course of occurred from the consolation of a settee whereas sipping a complimentary signature mocktail (lemon verbena with recent thyme).

Rooms

Keeping 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 exhausting to beat. The particular charge 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 standing within 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 components.

The room was set on two ranges, with the mattress and toilet up prime and the lounge and couch part down a single step, type of sunken under the highest stage.

The lavatory featured an expansive soaking tub with a skylight and a big open bathe space. Toiletries had been from Aromatherapy Associates London.

By far the star of your entire area, although, was the non-public infinity pool outdoors the sliding glass door. The pool had greater than sufficient area for 2 company (and doubtless a few youngsters, too,).

The patio/pool deck got here with a eating desk and two padded lounge chairs, together with seaside towels that housekeeping saved replenished all through the keep.

If I’m 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 in the event you’re in a room that is set larger up the hillside, if that issues to you.

Other lodging embody the swim-up pool that just a few rooms share. There are additionally rooms that do not embody a pool. There are even some extra luxurious suites and multistory villas up the hill, a few of which had been nonetheless beneath development (fortunately, there have been no points with development noise throughout my keep).

Related: 14 greatest all-inclusive resorts with swim-up rooms

Dining

The JW Marriott Crete technically has six eating choices, although some had been nonetheless simply of their opening phases throughout my keep.

In reality, through the night dinnertime hours, solely two full-service eateries had 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 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.

Steps away was Onalos, the upscale patio-type seafood eatery.

During the day, we ate all our lunches (and loved just a few daytime drinks) from Suncti, the poolside bar located beneath a bamboo awning.

Up on the principle stage of the property, extending outward from the examine-in space, the foyer-esque bar Eexis had cocktails, wines and beer accessible throughout our keep and proved an excellent place to get pleasure from an early night drink whereas watching the solar set.

Next door, Fayi is marketed on the Marriott app because the “main 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 had been nonetheless getting their footing on service because the resort ramps up its visitor depend.

Amenities

As a traveler without end in the hunt for an excellent pool, the highest amenity at this resort is, undoubtedly, the three major swimming pools — one in every of which is a wading pool and one other is solely for adults — that overlook the Aegean and Crete’s mountains.

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 slim zero-entry seaside.

Fitness heart

Inside the principle constructing, the fitness center was properly outfitted with model-new cardio and weight machines. Additionally, there was a yoga room used for quite a lot of yoga and Pilates group exercises.

Spa

The property can be within the means of opening a spa that, from renderings TPG shared earlier this summer time, seems like it is going to be a significant draw going ahead.

Boat excursions

In addition to the property’s major facilities, the on-website concierge can join company with non-public 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 funds for this journey.

Related: 30 greatest Marriott inns on the earth that you may guide 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 couple of 20-minute drive from Chania International Airport (CHQ), making for a seamless journey, thanks, partly, to a non-public black automotive-esque switch the entrance desk arrange forward of arrival. The switch was 35 euros ($41) every method.

It’s about 25 to half-hour to the middle of Chania and its Old Venetian Harbor, with its myriad of retailers and eating places. You can use the identical non-public switch service organized by the resort, which prices 40 euros (about $47) every method. Given this additional expense, I’d advocate setting apart a single afternoon and night for that go to if it is of curiosity.

The property is a couple of 5-minute stroll from a public seaside space and a handful of seaside bar-type 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’s the second close to Chania (the primary being Domes Zeen Chania, a Luxury Collection Resort, Crete).

How to guide

Over the subsequent six months, nightly charges on the JW Marriott Crete begin as little as $343, or 44,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors.

Guests hoping to make use of factors and miles to guide the JW Marriott Crete have just a few choices.

The easiest method, in fact, is to make use of Marriott Bonvoy factors in your account. Personally, I earn the majority of my Marriott factors by way of purchases charged to the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see charges and costs), which has additionally been a giant assist in boosting my Marriott Bonvoy elite standing. The card has a $95 annual payment.

You may switch bank card rewards at a 1:1 ratio from a handful of main applications, together with:

When reserving the JW Marriott Crete, you may wish to use a bank card that earns probably the most factors for Marriott stays, in addition to one which probably gives computerized Bonvoy elite standing for worth-added advantages. These embody:

• 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 charges and costs): 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 Points Guy. The card particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.

Bottom line

There’s a cause 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. As the service and facilities absolutely ramp up within the coming weeks and months, it will be an attractive choice for any traveler trying to redeem factors within the Greek islands.

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