Ammos Hotel, near Chania, Crete - Explore & Book

"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 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. 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: kitchenettes in every room (great for budget-conscious families), fragrant Apivita toiletries, multilingual and attentive 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. Highs Superb yet unobtrusive service: with his quick thinking and impressive array of contacts, Nikos can arrange anything in 5 minutes flatLarge and luxurious bathrooms - obviously designed by someone who has spent time in hotels, and particularly rare in GreeceTruly delicious food served throughout the dayThe 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 Often full in July and August - book early!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 stressNot the easiest to find - make sure you do like we didn’t, and print out detailed directions (attached to every i-escape booking confirmation)" - Heidi Fuller-Love