Domes Zeen Chania

Domes Zeen Chania is a 102-room Luxury Collection resort built into a hillside at Kato Daratso, on the coast just west of Chania. It opened in 2018 as Casa Cook Chania and took its current name in 2020, with interiors by the Berlin studio Lambs and Lions. Expect bungalows, pavilions and villas, many with shared or private pools, an outdoor Jungle Spa, a beach area on the pebbly shore, and kids, baby and teens clubs. It is a resort first and a boutique second, but a stylish, well-placed one that holds a Michelin Key.

The experience

This is the Chania pick for families who want design without giving up a kids club. The club takes ages 4 to 12, with a baby club from four months and a teens club too, and there is a separate children’s pool. Adults get the Jungle Spa, yoga and an outdoor gym. The old town is about a ten-minute drive, close enough for dinner by the harbour, and the resort is a good base for Balos, Elafonisi and the local wineries. The caveats: the site is steep, with buggies shuttling guests between terraces, the beach is pebbly rather than sandy, and reviews of service are mixed. Go with realistic expectations and it delivers.

The rooms

Rooms are set across the slope as bungalows, pavilions and villas, each with a private terrace. Tropical Bungalows start at around 30 square metres; family pavilions with private pools reach 47; villas with private pools run to 65; and the Tropical Family Grand Pavilion is the biggest at about 70. Some family rooms share a pool. Bathrooms are granite with walk-in showers. One reviewer found the second bedroom in a family villa short on natural light, so check layouts carefully before you book.

Food and drink

The Beach House Restaurant is the all-day anchor, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with Cretan-leaning dishes and sea views, and the Beach House Bar handles poolside cocktails, coffee and wine. A smaller restaurant serves a tasting menu with wine pairings in the evenings. Some reviewers find the food pricey and the portions small, while others rate it highly. Chania’s harbour tavernas are a short taxi ride away when you want a change.

The neighbourhood

Kato Daratso sits on the coast just west of Chania, so the Venetian harbour, the covered market and the old town are about ten minutes away by car. Chania airport is around 17 kilometres, roughly a 30-minute drive. A hire car makes sense for day trips to Balos and Elafonisi and to nearby wineries. Walking into town is possible, but not much fun after dark along the main road.