Ammos Hotel
near Chania, Crete
Style with a big smile at this chic and superbly serviced, family-minded hotel on the beach, 15 minutes from Chania
Anonymous chain hotels on Crete are legion, so Ammos – owned
by the Tsepetis family since the 70's and now vibrantly redecorated
and brilliantly run by the effervescent 30-something Nikos –
makes a hugely refreshing change. Fifteen minutes' drive from
Chania’s bar- and restaurant-lined Venetian harbour, it gazes
out over a sandy bay, whose warm shallow waters are ideal for
younger bathers. Recently and lovingly redesigned by Elisa Manolas,
the woman behind the very chic Orloff on Spetses, the
style is light, airy and Scandinavian: lashings of wood, glass and
wicker allied with colourful artwork and loads of modern comfort,
including cushy sofas and high-speed internet.
But the real secret of this hotel lies in the details: bouquets of
wild flowers in every room, fragrant Apivita toiletries,
multilingual and attentive jean-clad staff, and the thoughtfulness
of Nikos, who is everywhere at once. More than ‘just another
beach hotel’, Ammos is one of those rare places where the
personal touch has been wrought to a fine art.
Reviewed by Heidi Fuller-Love
Last updated 20 April 2012
Highs
- Superb yet unobtrusive service: with his quick thinking and impressive array of contacts, Nikos can arrange anything in 5 minutes flat
- Large and luxurious bathrooms – obviously designed by someone who has spent time in hotels, and particularly rare in Greece
- Truly delicious food served throughout the day; plus self-catering kitchenettes (a great addition for budget-conscious families)
- The beach is sandy, shallow (i.e. relatively warm in the early season) and sheltered (great for kids)
- With Chania on your doorstep, it's ideal for those who want to combine a peaceful beach retreat with sallies into town for nightlife, shopping and museums
Lows
- The area around the hotel is suburban and rather charmless - not the sort of place for strolling around (though you can walk along the sandy beachfront)
- The beach can get crowded in summer, but Ammos has plenty of loungers and parasols, so you don't need to stress
- Not the easiest to find – make sure you do like we didn’t, and print out detailed directions (attached to every i-escape booking confirmation)
- Often full in July and August
