JW Marriott debuts in Greece with new Crete beach resort
- Kaitlyn Nicholas
- Jul 16
- 2 min read
JW Marriott has officially arrived in Greece with the June opening of JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa, the brand’s first Mediterranean beach resort. Set across 100 coastal acres in Marathi, near Chania, the resort overlooks Souda Bay and offers a quieter alternative to Crete’s more developed beach destinations.
The property was designed by Block722, a multidisciplinary architecture studio based in Athens and Stockholm known for merging Scandinavian functionality with Cycladic forms and Mediterranean materials. Their approach to the resort emphasized organic integration with the land’s natural terrain. Buildings are low-lying and earth-toned, with pathways and plazas arranged to follow the natural contours of the slope. Interiors continue the theme of restraint and texture, incorporating stone, wood, and handmade elements throughout.
The resort includes 160 rooms, suites, and villas, many with private pools and panoramic views of the Aegean Sea. Accommodations are oriented to maximize light, privacy, and views, while landscaping with native plants softens the transition between architecture and terrain.
Dining is guided by the resort’s onsite JW Garden, which supplies fresh herbs, vegetables, and botanicals to six venues:
FAYI, the resort’s main restaurant offering Mediterranean-style breakfast, buffet, and à la carte
ANOEE, centered on open-fire, Cretan-inspired cooking
ONALOS, specializing in fresh, sea-to-table seafood
CUCCAGNA, a casual trattoria serving oven-fired Italian fare
SUNCTI Pool Bar, offering light snacks, coffee, and poolside drinks
EÉXIS, the main bar, with cocktails infused with JW Garden botanicals and a bespoke mixology program in collaboration with Line Athens
The JW Market, though separate from the resort’s core culinary lineup, introduces a first-of-its-kind concept for JW Marriott in Europe. The café-retail concept offers regionally sourced products, packaged foods, and handmade crafts.
Wellness is a central focus of the resort. The ANOSEAS Spa offers a full range of treatments and rituals alongside a beauty room. An open-air yoga deck provides uninterrupted sea views, while fitness amenities include a gym and regular movement classes. Horizon-facing pools are positioned throughout the resort, some shared, others private, with an emphasis on quiet and restoration.
For families, the resort includes The Phestos Den, a dedicated space created with Worldwide Kids. Guests can also take part in curated cultural excursions that explore Crete’s heritage, from archaeological sites to village food traditions.
