Isla Brown Chania Resort, Curio Collection By Hilton

“A spectacular and spacious location with excellent facilities, which could offer much finer dining.”

The resort - previously branded as part of the Mr & Mrs Smith boutique chain prior to that brand’s acquisition by Hyatt - is set on a spectacular and dramatic, north-west facing rocky outcrop, a mile or so’s drive from the famed Stavros beach (immortalised in the film ‘Zorba the Greek’) a lovely … more

The resort - previously branded as part of the Mr & Mrs Smith boutique chain prior to that brand’s acquisition by Hyatt - is set on a spectacular and dramatic, north-west facing rocky outcrop, a mile or so’s drive from the famed Stavros beach (immortalised in the film ‘Zorba the Greek’) a lovely soft -sand lagoon, framed with a few Cretan tavernas. The resort is more extensive than one might first think, occupying a significant footprint. Our quiet, Seaview King room had magnificent views, a very comfortable bed with fine linens, a large private terrace. Plenty of large, salt water swimming pools, more than ample poolside recliners and loungers. The pools were never crowded. No need to get up at five in the morning to unroll your proprietary towels. A huge first floor bar terrace alongside and above the pools as well as a pool bar. A gym, well- equipped, and little used. ‘Mr & Mrs Smith’, or possibly the owner prior to that, was clearly enamoured with gold. There is a LOT of gold (cutlery, taps, room fittings, colour accents….). The foyer was suffused with a ‘signature fragrance’. The breakfast buffet was extensive, with a large variety of fruit, breads, freshly-cooked eggs to order. Decent coffee from one of the machines ( bean to cup). The other machines being those branded coffee machines that whip up instant coffee into all manner of ‘milky’ frothings. Plenty of cheerful serving staff, plenty of tables. There was an outside dining terrace, but that revealed itself rapidly as wasp hell, and we retreated indoors! Dinner was less good. No menu choices, only the set buffet, which had predictable, mass catering-quality offerings, and would not reward more than one visit. (Half or full board, we thought, would disappoint.) The catering team had gone to great lengths in presentation, but the restaurant had no atmosphere, few staff circulating. It felt like a fuelling stop, a canteen experience. No one provided any drinks/ wine list, no sense of experience, which given the well-proportioned space was a wasted opportunity. A great welcome from the reception staff when we checked - in, and the oft- praised Mary, who provided lots of useful dining options easily accessible by car. It was striking that the resort ( at least at this time of year) attracted mostly a tight demographic of mid-market Gen Ys and older Gen Zs. Fit bearded men, and women with carefully- managed BMIs. Mostly couples, a few with infants. Diverse nationalities: from Europe (German , French, Brits, Irish), Australia & North America. Luckily, the bars appeared well-stocked with Aperol Spritzers and Prosecco.

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