JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa by block722

Perched on the rugged hillside of Akra Pelegri in Marathi, Crete, with panoramic views over Souda Bay, the JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa is a new benchmark in sustainable, site-sensitive luxury. Designed by acclaimed Athens-based studio Block722, the resort exemplifies a vision of immersive hospitality that honors the raw beauty, history, and craftsmanship of the island. Quietly sculpted into the natural topography, it merges contemporary architecture with Cretan tradition, creating a destination that is as environmentally conscious as it is aesthetically elevated.

Design Rooted in Landscape and Legacy

Spanning a 59,700 m² terraced coastal site, the resort comprises 160 rooms and suites accommodating up to 450 guests, thoughtfully positioned to align with the contours of the terrain. Rather than impose itself upon the landscape, the architecture emerges from it — the stone used for construction was quarried directly from on-site excavations, and the concrete aggregate is locally sourced, embedding the built environment with the very fabric of the land.

From the moment of arrival, the experience is orchestrated to encourage gradual immersion. Guests enter through a landscaped arrival square, planted with native, drought-tolerant species, offering a warm, textural welcome. From here, the sea slowly reveals itself through a series of framed views that guide the eye, culminating in the grandeur of Souda Bay — a spatial and emotional crescendo designed to evoke serenity and awe.

Architecture that Breathes with the Environment

The architectural language is a study in restrained geometry and elemental materials, drawing from Crete’s ancient vernacular and Mediterranean sensibilities. A series of low-slung, geometric volumes are arranged amphitheatrically along the natural slope, ensuring that each unit enjoys uninterrupted sea views, privacy, and passive cooling.
Natural materials — from raw linen and rattan to washed wood and hand-crafted terracotta tiles — infuse the interiors with warmth and texture, creating spaces that feel like organic extensions of the outdoors. Green roofs, shaded terraces, and planted courtyards further blur the boundaries between inside and out, allowing the rhythm of island life to shape each day’s experience.

Each guest room is conceived as a complete living environment, where private pools appear to float in the landscape, creating natural microclimates while maximizing relaxation. Orientation and cross-ventilation are meticulously calculated to reduce energy use and enhance comfort without relying on mechanical systems.

A Meditative Sequence of Public Spaces

The resort’s communal heart is located just beyond the lobby, expressed through a series of interconnected indoor spaces including the main bar, restaurant, and JW Market. These are composed as minimalist pavilions, aligned towards the sea and punctuated by grand pergolas — robust yet refined structures that filter light and shadow throughout the day.

The pergolas evoke ancient Doric forms in a modern idiom, constructed from natural materials that lend a tactile authenticity. Beneath them, reflective water pools and islands of sunken seating invite guests into a contemplative engagement with nature, reinforcing the resort’s meditative, slow-living ethos.

Further amenities, including restaurants, shaded lounges, wellness facilities, and multiple swimming pools, cascade down towards the shoreline. Their placement is carefully choreographed to preserve the land’s integrity, creating seamless transitions between shared and private experiences.

Crafted by Local Hands

The soul of the resort lies not only in its design but in its material authenticity and collaborative making. Block722 worked closely with local artisans, craftspeople, and suppliers, ensuring that generations of Cretan craftsmanship are embedded in every wall, surface, and joint.
Stone, timber, clay, and fabric — all selected with precision and sourced responsibly — reflect the hues, textures, and rhythms of the surrounding landscape. In doing so, the project doesn’t merely coexist with its environment; it belongs to it.

Regenerative and Responsible

JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa is a model of regenerative design, where every decision is guided by environmental stewardship. The resort preserves the original topography, restores the natural terrain, and enhances local biodiversity through a planting strategy that uses only native, low-irrigation species.

Passive environmental systems are central to the architecture:

• Solar orientation ensures optimal daylight and natural warmth.

• Cross-ventilation and deep pergolas provide thermal comfort.

• Green roofs improve insulation and reduce visual impact.

These are complemented by active systems such as photovoltaic panels, on-site water sourcing, and efficient waste and energy management, all designed to minimize ecological impact and enhance the ecosystem’s health.

A New Model for Hospitality in the Mediterranean

At once luxurious and grounded, contemporary and contextual, JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa is more than a hotel — it is a living blueprint for place-based hospitality. It exemplifies how architecture can celebrate landscape, elevate tradition, and embrace sustainability without compromise.

This is a destination where architecture and nature are equals, where every detail is guided by a philosophy of care, and where guests are invited not only to unwind, but to connect deeply with the soul of Crete.

Photography: Ana Santl