Travel · Sleep

Domes Zeen Chania · Crete, Greece

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Name: Domes Zeen Chania
Images: NIK Schulte
Words: Rosie Flanagan

The azure waters of the Aegean Sea are peppered with islands whose people and landscapes have captivated travelers for decades. Domes Zeen has scoured the endless blues of this ocean to find places where you can experience a different kind of holiday.

The mythological birthplace of Zeus and the largest of the Greek islands, Crete has all of the ingredients that a relaxing holiday calls for. In the Cretan town of Chania, where a 14th-century Venetian port greets you, Domes Zeen has opened a minimal hideaway sat on the hillside beneath Lefka Ori.

Situated on a pristine stretch of Cretan coast, Domes Zeen Chania is a family-friendly hotel that—despite the open invitation for kids—hasn’t forgone design or style. They have implemented an intriguing holiday education program based on Montessori that offers everything from kids cooking classes to adventurous sleepovers in Bedouin-inspired tepees.

Under the guidance of lead designer Michael Schickinger (Lambs and Lions), interior stylist and designer Annabell Kutucu, and lead architect Konstantinos Karampatakis (k-studio), Domes Zeen Chania has evolved from a concept of community to a physical space that is much more. With a focus on family, the hotel advocates a mixture of private and shared experiences and spaces; whether you choose a room with a private plunge pool, or favor lounging in more social areas under the sun, they have you covered.

The hotel itself comprises of 102 handcrafted rooms, each with a pared-back aesthetic and a tactility that links strongly to the Cretan landscape; rock walls mimic the mountain of Lefka Ori, and woven lamps speak of dappled light through palm fronds.