- Accor and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts have officially partnered with Hersonissos Group Hotels to develop the 104-key Fairmont Chania Resort, marking Fairmont’s first-ever property in Greece.
- Situated on Chania’s northwest coast, the beachfront resort will offer direct access to a wide sandy beach, a dedicated beach club, and outdoor spaces inspired by Cretan nature.
- Designed by architect Luciano Mazza with interiors by Inge Moore and landscaping by Phil Jaffa, the resort’s aesthetic blends Chania’s Venetian maritime history—nodding to the Serenissima Republic and Carlo Scarpa—with a contemporary Mediterranean approach.
- Set to open in 2029, the property will feature 104 rooms (including 40 suites), five distinct dining concepts, a 900-square-meter wellness center, a private wedding chapel, and dedicated kids and teens clubs.
Greece’s luxury hospitality landscape is set for a major new landmark as Accor and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announce their entry into the country through a partnership with Hersonissos Group Hotels. Scheduled to open in 2029, the Fairmont Chania Resort will bring 104 keys of high-end accommodations to Crete’s northwest coast, blending global luxury standards with deep local cultural roots.
“We are delighted to announce the signing of Fairmont Chania Resort, a landmark moment marking Fairmont’s inaugural entry into Greece,” said Omer Acar, CEO of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. “Greece represents an exciting and strategic addition to our global portfolio, underscoring our dedication to thoughtful, responsible expansion in destinations that share our long-term vision for exceptional, quality tourism.”
Venetian Heritage Meets Modern Mediterranean Design
The resort’s architectural concept draws heavily from Chania’s storied past, bridging the region’s ancient culture, Greek gastronomy, and Venetian maritime heritage. Architect Luciano Mazza has reinterpreted historical influences from the Serenissima Republic—alongside modern architectural references to Carlo Scarpa—into contemporary building volumes that evoke historic naval design.
Complementing the architecture, interior designer Inge Moore has curated refined private and public spaces, while landscape designer Phil Jaffa has crafted gardens that seamlessly integrate with the surrounding Cretan coastline.
Georgios Kaloutsakis, CEO of Hersonissos Group Hotels, highlighted the project’s regional impact: “Our ambition is to create a resort of lasting meaning, defined by a deeply artistic architectural vision and an authentic dialogue with the island’s heritage and landscape… Fairmont Chania Resort will also serve as a catalyst for sustainability within the local tourism ecosystem.”
Premium Resort Offerings
When it opens its doors in 2029, the 104-key property—featuring 40 spacious suites—will offer an extensive array of amenities designed for discerning travelers and destination events:
- Culinary variety: Five distinct dining concepts, including a specialty restaurant highlighting regional and international flavors.
- Wellness and leisure: A sprawling 900-square-meter wellness center equipped with six specialized treatment rooms, alongside a shared pool for groups and private events.
- Family and celebrations: Dedicated clubs for children and teenagers, plus an on-site chapel tailored for private destination weddings.
The project further solidifies Accor’s expanding footprint in the Mediterranean, joining an elite European and North African portfolio that includes iconic properties in Monaco, Morocco, and Spain.
Chania’s Luxury Hotel Race Continues
The Fairmont announcement comes as Crete continues to attract international hotel groups and luxury brands. That is not particularly surprising.
Chania combines an international airport, beaches, the Venetian old town, strong food culture and easy access to some of western Crete’s most popular landscapes.
The challenge for every new luxury resort is therefore becoming more interesting. It isn’t simply “Can we bring wealthy visitors to Crete?”
Crete already knows how to do that.
The question is whether new high-end developments can offer something that feels genuinely connected to the place rather than simply transplanting an international resort formula onto a Cretan coastline.
Fairmont Chania says its architecture, food, landscape and guest experience will draw heavily on the island and Chania’s heritage. We’ll be interested to see whether the finished property lives up to that promise.
