Amalthia Beach Resort

Although the Amalthia Beach Resort is situated on a rather bland, tourist-centric street, once inside, the vibe is peaceful and modern. The contemporary lobby has a white, gray, and beige color scheme, along with plenty of large windows and open spaces, making for a bright, relaxing feeling throughout. From the marble flooring -- which even stretches out onto terraces -- and mosaic-tiled columns, to wood accents and nature-themed artwork, the entire space screams Greek serenity…or perhaps whispers it. The property stretches back toward the ocean, with outdoor hallways that weave through white-stucco walls and manicured shrubbery that include a bit of topiary and a few flower beds. The palm-tree surrounded pool, beach loungers shaded with palapas, and restaurant with outdoor terrace all provide opportunities to take in the pretty ocean views. Though there's a small playground for kids, most guests are couples on vacation.

Agia Marina offers a string of on-the-beach hotels popular with tourists exploring the island of Crete, and its historic town of Chania in particular. Amalthia Beach Resort is located directly on the beach, about a 20-minute drive from the attractions and restaurants of Chania. It's a short boat ride to the island of Thodorou, which is a preserve and the only natural home of the kri-kri goat. There are a few restaurants within walking distance (outside of hotels) and plenty of authentic Greek dining can be found within a 10-minute drive. A supermarket is just a few minutes’ walk away, as well. Across the street is a taxi service, and a car and scooter rental. The local bus stops under a minute's walk from the hotel, and the Chania International Airport is 30 minutes away by car. 

Guest rooms continue the overall decor theme with bright, roomy spaces and neutral-tone color schemes. All rooms have simplistic wood furniture, beige tile floors, and pops of color in turquoise armchairs and ocean-inspired artwork. They're a bit generic but certainly pleasant, and all have furnished terraces or balconies. Views vary between garden and ocean, and many first-floor terraces sit directly on public spaces such as the pool, so privacy is compromised. Double beds -- which are actually two twin beds pushed together -- are topped with with gray, floral-patterned comforters. Rooms have work desks housing small flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, and suites add pullout sofas. Wi-Fi is free, but in-room safes require a fee to use. Pretty green-tiled bathrooms have either shower/tub combos, or glass walk-in showers and separate tubs. Some are a bit tight on space, but all include wall-mounted hairdryers and a range of toiletries.

The primary gathering spaces at the hotel are the pool and beach. Amalthia has direct access to a lovely stretch of beach with loungers under straw palapas, but guests have to pay to use them. The lovely outdoor pool has a shallow section for kids and is surrounded by loungers and green umbrellas, but many guests have noted that there are not enough chairs to go around. A small playground with a couple of swings and a slide is by the pool. Also next to the pool is a breezy beachfront dining restaurant, open all day and serving both international dishes and traditional local cuisine. The adjacent pool bar serves drinks and light snacks. A separate breakfast area in the lobby serves a buffet spread with cooked-to-order pancakes and eggs. There is a tiny, but attractive, spa with two rooms for treatments. The fitness room is also small; it has a couple of treadmills, a stationary bike, and weight-training equipment. The lobby has a computer with internet access for guest use, plus free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel -- though the connection can be spotty.