You know that feeling when you scroll through endless luxury resort photos and they all start looking the same? The same turquoise water. The same generic beige lobby. Honestly, Kolymvari is a bit different. If you are looking at Avra Imperial Hotel Chania Greece, you’re probably wondering if it’s just another massive, soulless concrete block or if it actually delivers on that five-star promise.
It’s big. Like, really big.
Spread across 65,000 square meters, this place feels more like a mini-village than a standard hotel. It’s located in Kolymvari, which is about 23 kilometers west of Chania town. This is a crucial detail because if you want to be in the middle of the chaotic, narrow streets of the Venetian Harbor every night, you’re going to be spending a lot of money on taxis. But if you want to breathe? This is it. The architecture is inspired by the Minoan palaces—think bold pillars, massive open spaces, and water features everywhere. It’s a vibe.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Location
A lot of travelers see "Chania" in the name and assume they can walk to the Old Port. You can't. You're in Kolymvari. This is a traditional fishing village that has managed to keep its dignity despite the tourism boom.
The beach at the hotel is pebbly. Let’s be real: if you are expecting fine, powdery white sand right outside your room, you might be disappointed. The Shoreline here is rugged. It's beautiful, sure, but bring those dorky water shoes. The trade-off is that the water is incredibly clear. Because it’s pebbles and not sand, you don’t get that murky cloudiness when the waves kick up. It’s glass.
Being on the west side of Crete puts you in a strategic spot. You’re much closer to Balos Lagoon and Falassarna than the people staying in Rethymno or Heraklion. That’s the real "hack" of staying at the Avra Imperial Hotel Chania Greece. You beat the crowds to the world-famous beaches because you have a head start.
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The Room Situation: Private Pools and Space
Let’s talk about the rooms. They have 328 of them.
The entry-level rooms are fine, but the hotel really shines when you get into the suites with shared or private pools. There’s something about waking up and sliding into the water before you’ve even had coffee. It feels indulgent. The design inside is minimalist. Glass, wood, and marble. It’s clean.
One thing that often surprises people is the sheer volume of glass used in the room design. The bathrooms are often integrated with glass partitions. It’s "modern," but if you’re traveling with a friend and you’re a bit shy about your morning routine, just check the specific room layout before booking. Most have privacy blinds, but it's worth noting.
The beds are massive. Usually, it's two twins pushed together to make a "super king," which is standard in Europe, but the linens are high-thread-count Egyptian cotton. You’ll sleep well.
Food and the All-Inclusive Question
Is the all-inclusive worth it?
It depends on how much you like to explore. The main restaurant, Basilico, is a buffet. Now, "buffet" usually triggers nightmares of soggy fries and lukewarm pasta. Not here. They have show-cooking stations where chefs are searing fresh fish and carving meats right in front of you.
- Blue Dong: Their Asian fusion spot. It's surprisingly good for a Greek island.
- Al Fresco: This is the Italian a la carte. Try the truffle pasta.
- Origano: Local Cretan flavors. This is where you should eat if you want to understand why people live so long in Crete. Lots of olive oil, wild greens (horta), and dakos.
If you go for the "Ultra All-Inclusive" package, it covers the a la carte restaurants and branded spirits. If you're a "two cocktails by the pool" person, just pay as you go. If you're planning on settled-in luxury, the upgrade pays for itself by day three.
The Spa and That Massive Glass Pool
The APIVITA Spa is a whole thing. It’s 1,900 square meters. They use Greek beehive products—propolis, honey, royal jelly. It’s very "on brand" for the region.
But the real star of the common areas is the main pool. It’s a 2,500-square-meter seawater pool with a glass side. It’s basically built for Instagram, but even if you hate social media, the engineering is impressive. You can see people swimming underwater from the walkway. It’s cool.
For parents: the kids' club is actually functional. They have a creche for the tiny ones and a full program for older kids. It’s one of the few places where the "luxury" tag and the "family-friendly" tag don't clash. The resort is big enough that you can find a quiet corner away from the splashing if you're on a romantic getaway.
What Nobody Tells You About the Wind
Crete gets the Meltemi winds.
Sometimes, in July and August, the wind can get intense. Because the Avra Imperial is right on the coast, you’ll feel it. The hotel is designed with some windbreaks, but on a gusty day, the umbrellas might be down. This isn't a "flaw" of the hotel—it's just the geography of the Aegean. If it’s too windy at the beach, the inland pools are usually much calmer.
Realities of the Five-Star Experience
Is it perfect? No. No hotel with over 300 rooms is perfect.
During peak season (late July), the breakfast rush can feel a bit hectic. You might have to wait two minutes for a coffee. The staff is incredible—genuinely warm in that Cretan way—but they are human. If you want that "boutique" feeling where everyone knows your name by the second hour, this might feel too industrial for you.
However, the maintenance is impeccable. You won't see chipped paint or tired furniture. They keep this place polished.
Why Kolymvari Matters
Outside the gates, you have a 17th-century monastery, Gonia Odigitria. It’s a ten-minute walk. Go there. It’s quiet, filled with Byzantine icons, and offers a massive contrast to the high-tech luxury of the resort.
The local tavernas in the village are also worth your time. If you want to escape the hotel food for a night, walk down to the harbor. Find a spot where the old men are drinking raki. Order the small fried fish (marida) and some local wine. It’ll cost you a fraction of a hotel dinner and give you a taste of the "real" Crete.
Logistics and Getting Around
Don't rely on the buses if you want to see the island. Rent a car.
The hotel has parking. Having a car allows you to drive to the mountain villages like Milia or head south to Elafonisi beach. If you rely on organized excursions, you’ll be on a bus with 50 other people. Renting a car gives you the freedom to return to the Avra Imperial Hotel Chania Greece whenever you want, rather than being stuck on someone else's schedule.
- Book the "Private Pool" rooms if budget allows. It changes the entire experience from a "stay" to a "retreat."
- Visit the Gonia Monastery. It’s right there. Don't skip it.
- Use the Spa early. Most people wait until the end of their trip. Go on day one to decompress from the flight.
- Download a taxi app or keep the hotel's number. Taxis from Chania town back to Kolymvari can be expensive (around 40-50 Euro), so budget accordingly.
The Avra Imperial isn't a cozy little guesthouse. It's a statement. It’s a sprawling, modern, high-end basecamp for exploring the wildest part of Crete. If you go in knowing that it’s a bit of a walk to the "sand" and a drive to the "town," you’ll have an incredible time. The sunsets over the Rodopou Peninsula, which you can see right from the hotel bar, are worth the price of admission alone.
When you pack, leave room for olive oil. You’re going to want to take some of the local liquid gold home with you. The hotel shop has it, but the local co-op in the village is where the locals buy theirs. Go there instead. You'll get better prices and the same top-tier quality. That’s the real way to do Crete.