The JW Marriott brand has just expanded to Greece, and I’ve gotta say, I’d really like to stay here at some point in the future…
Details of the JW Marriott Crete, Greece
The JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa has opened as of June 2025. This is a seasonal resort, so the property is currently open for stays through October 31, 2025, and will then presumably reopen in the spring of 2026.
The 160-key property spans 100 coastal acres on Greece’s largest island, with rooms, suites, and even villas. All accommodations feature views of the Aegean Sea, and most having private pools. The property’s design is described as blending modern elegance with authentic Cretan heritage.
The resort boasts several culinary experiences, including ANOEE (a Cretan open-fire restaurant), Õnalos (a sea-to-table concept), Cuccagna (an Italian restaurant), Fayi (serving Mediterranean style sharing plates), Suncti by the Pool and Eēxis (serving wine, cocktails, and light bites), and more.
The property also has ANOSEAS Spa, with five treatment rooms, hydrotherapy experiences, and more. Wellness facilities include four swimming pools with sea views, a fitness center, and a yoga deck.
The JW Marriott Crete is located on the outskirts of the town of Chania, along Marathi Beach. The property is a short drive from Chania Airport (CHQ), and a roughly two-hour drive from Heraklion Airport (HER).
JW Marriott Crete rates & points requirements
Now that the JW Marriott Crete is bookable, what are rates like? As you’d expect for a seasonal resort in Greece, the closer to the middle of summer that you stay, the higher the rates are. In August I see rates of around €500 per night, while toward the end of the season, I see rates of under €300 per night.
For those who want to redeem Bonvoy points for their stay, rates seem to start at 44,000 points per night. So generally speaking, paying cash seems to be a better value than redeeming points.
Why I’m excited about this new JW Marriott property
Greece is one of my favorite places in the world — I love the climate, the food is delicious, and the country has so much to offer, with each island having its own charm.
Crete is my favorite “popular” island in Greece, as it has so much to offer. It’s quite large, and I also like how the culture is a bit more diverse, given how close it is to Africa. It’s also not quite as touristy as a place like Mykonos or Santorini (which admittedly aren’t my favorite places in Greece), or at least the tourists are spread out a bit more.
Anyway, it’s exciting to see more points hotel options in Crete. When I visited Crete several years back, I stayed at Domes Zeen Chania, a Marriott Autograph Collection property. That’s in the same area of Crete as this property.
The town of Chania is charming, and is worth a visit (though nowadays during the peak of summer, is often overcrowded with cruise ship visitors during the day).
I also loved Blue Palace Elounda, a Marriott Luxury Collection property. That’s currently undergoing a major renovation, and will reopen as a Rosewood. The hotel could definitely use a refresh, though it’s unfortunately probably going to be much more expensive, and won’t be bookable with points.
Bottom line
A JW Marriott has opened in Crete, Greece, located near the town of Chania. I adore Crete, so I’m always pleased to see more points hotels opening there. The property looks surprisingly beautiful, and is more charming than you might expect from a JW Marriott, so I’m very happy to see this. I don’t really understand the branding choice, but then again, I’ve given up trying to make sense of Marriott’s branding decisions.
What do you make of the JW Marriott Crete?
