Avra Imperial Hotel

Avra_Imperial_Hotel
Avra Imperial Hotel

Avra Imperial Hotel

Perfect for all ages, from crèche and kids’ club to grown-up spa and adults’ areas Close to the beach – around 500m from Kolymbari’s shore Superb spa with indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, steam room and treatments Great range of bars and restaurants, from buffet dining to Italian, Greek and Asian à la carte venues Certified Sustainable Hotel meeting a GSTC-recognised standard at time of review Free Wi-Fi throughout

Official rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rooms 328 | Blocks: 12 | Floors: 3 | Lifts: 10
Board options All Inclusive Plus, Half Board
Child age guideline up to 12 years for child pricing (varies by room type; ask your Travelisto consultant)

Overview

 
This design-led luxury resort in laid-back Kolymbari pairs striking contemporary architecture with lagoon-style pools, a destination spa and serious family credentials. Avra Imperial Hotel feels like a self-contained village: think six pools (including children’s options), a beach within strolling distance, five restaurants and a choice of stylish rooms and suites, many with shared or private pools. It’s polished enough for couples, yet packed with thoughtful extras for children, so everyone gets their version of a Cretan escape.

Glass-fronted pools, clean-lined architecture and landscaped gardens set the tone at Avra Imperial Hotel. The hotel fans out around lagoon-style swimming pools, shaded walkways and chic terraces, giving you vantage points for mountain sunsets and lazy pool days. Interiors are smart and contemporary, with marble, glass and soft neutrals creating a calm, upscale feel throughout. For couples and families seeking Crete (Chania Area)’s softer, more authentic side, Avra Imperial Hotel delivers the perfect balance: resort-scale facilities, a village-like atmosphere and a wide choice of room types including private pools. It’s approximately 1 hour 15 minutes from Chania Airport (CHQ). See more Greece holidays.

Map & location


Kolymbari, Crete (Chania Area), Greece

Kolymbari is one of western Crete’s more traditional corners, surrounded by olive groves, low hills and a long shingle-sand beach. Avra Imperial Hotel sits in the resort centre, so you’re close to tavernas and local life, yet the grounds feel pleasantly tucked away.

A short drive brings you to Chania, Crete’s second city, with its Venetian harbour, markets and museums – perfect for a culture-and-café day between beach sessions. This is a great base if you want resort comforts without losing that authentic Greek village feel.

  • Beach 500m
  • Chania city 20km
  • Approx. transfer time from airport 1 hour 15 minutes from Chania (CHQ)

Facilities

Pool & outdoors


Water babies are spoiled here. There are six outdoor freshwater pools, including a children’s pool and a main pool with a kids’ section. Several feature Balinese beds and wide sunbathing terraces with loungers and parasols, and inflatables or water toys are generally permitted – always handy for families.

Some pools sit in quieter corners with more of an adults’ vibe, while others are located closer to the beach or activity zones. There’s also an indoor freshwater pool with whirlpool in the spa, ideal for a cooler or cloudy day. Fresh pool towels are provided free of charge.

When you’re ready for the sea, Kolymbari’s shingle-sand beach is around 500m away. One of the hotel’s outdoor pools is set near the beachfront with a children’s section and Balinese beds, so you can easily switch between pool and sea.

Spa, sports & wellness


Wellness fans can make a beeline for the spa, where you’ll find an indoor pool with whirlpool, sauna, steam room and a tempting menu of massage and beauty treatments (minimum age 14yrs, local charges apply, opening hours vary by occupancy). There’s also an on-site hairdresser and beauty salon for holiday-ready styling.

The air-conditioned gym includes cardio machines, free weights, a stretching zone and strength equipment. Lighter activities might include aqua aerobics or pilates, and there are options for tennis and table tennis, plus a small cinema area (some activities and facilities may carry a local charge).

Evenings bring a relaxed but sociable entertainment programme. Expect frequent live music, DJs and mini-discos earlier in the season, with regular entertainment continuing later into autumn. Exact schedules and shows change with the time of year.

Around the resort you’ll also find a mini-market for everyday essentials, a jewellery store and pop-up boutiques – ideal if you’ve packed light or want a few stylish souvenirs.

Activities


? Air-conditioned gym with cardio and strength equipment
? Tennis and table tennis (some activities may incur local charges)
? Aqua aerobics and pool-based activities
? Pilates and stretching sessions (seasonal)
? Small cinema-style area for movies (local charges may apply)
? Evening entertainment including live music, DJs and mini-disco for children (programme varies by season)

Guest services


?️ 24-hour reception and concierge support
? Luggage storage for early arrivals or late departures
? Family-focused services with equipment to hire, including bottle warmers, kettles, pushchairs, motorised scooters and wheelchairs (local charges for some items)
?️ On-site mini-market, jewellery store and pop-up boutique for essentials and gifts
? Crèche (4 months–4yrs) with soft play, toys, bottle-warming facilities and sleep area (hours and charges apply)
? Children’s club (4–11yrs) with arts and crafts, sports, water-based games, food-based fun and music/drama activities (seasonal hours)
? Spa reception with beauty salon and hairdresser (treatments and services at extra cost)
? Access to international/English newspapers (local charge)
? Free Wi‑Fi throughout the resort

Food & drink

With five restaurants and four bars, Avra Imperial Hotel feels more like a small food village than a single resort. Expect plenty of choice for both grown-ups and little ones.

Basilico is the main buffet restaurant, serving breakfast and dinner with show-cooking stations and kids’ buffet options, plus a large terrace for al fresco dining. For lazy pool days, Al Fresco Trattoria brings Italian comfort food at lunch and dinner, while Blue Dong mixes Chinese and Japanese flavours poolside.

Down by the beach, Avra Seaside Bar & Restaurant serves Cretan and Mediterranean dishes backed by sea views, and Xatheri focuses on Greek breakfast with both buffet and à la carte service.

Bars range from relaxed to refined: order daytime smoothies and cocktails from Aura Pool Bar, grab drinks from the seasonal pool bars, then wind down in the evening at Le Bar, the chic lounge bar which stays open into the early hours.

Smart casual dress codes typically apply for dinner (no beachwear; long trousers requested for gentlemen in many venues), and à la carte restaurants usually require reservations. Inclusions and discounts depend on your chosen board basis and may change seasonally.

What All Inclusive typically includes.

Rooms
Deluxe Room Sleeps 2–3


Sleeps 2–3. Contemporary double or twin room with balcony, bath and separate shower, minibar (charge), safe, hairdryer, ironing facilities and coffee-making set.

Deluxe Room Pool View Sleeps 2–3


Sleeps 2–3. As Deluxe Room, with views over one of the resort pools.

Family Room Sleeps 2–4


Sleeps 2–4. Ideal for parents and children, with a balcony, shower bathroom and similar amenities to Deluxe Rooms, plus extra sleeping space arranged for kids.

Deluxe Room with Shared Pool Sleeps 2–3


Sleeps 2–3. Deluxe amenities plus access to a shared pool used by a small number of neighbouring rooms, with sunbeds on your balcony or terrace.

Deluxe Room with Private Pool Sleeps 2


Sleeps 2. A great option for couples seeking privacy. You’ll have your own private swimming pool, terrace with sunbeds and a shower bathroom.

Deluxe Room for Sole Use Sleeps 1


Sleeps 1. All the comfort of a Deluxe Room, tailored for solo travellers.

Deluxe Room with Partial Sea View Sleeps 2–3


Sleeps 2–3. Similar layout to Deluxe, offering a partial glimpse of the sea alongside resort or pool views.

Junior Suite with Private Pool Sleeps 2–3


Sleeps 2–3. More generous interior space and a private pool with sunbeds, plus balcony or terrace. Added touches include pillow menu, turndown service and upgraded amenities.

Residence Collection – Premium Room with Private Pool Sleeps 2


Sleeps 2. High-spec room with private pool, terrace and sunbeds, pillow menu and turndown service. Designed for a more boutique, adults-leaning feel within the larger resort.

Residence Collection – Premium Room Sleeps 2–3


Sleeps 2–3. Stylish room with balcony and Residence Collection extras such as pillow menu and turndown service.

Residence Collection – Premium Room for Sole Use Sleeps 1


Sleeps 1. An indulgent option for solo travellers, with all Residence Collection benefits.

Residence Collection – Premium Suite with Private Pool Sleeps 2–3


Sleeps 2–3. Suite-style layout with separate sleeping and living space, private pool, terrace and sunbeds, plus pillow menu, turndown and upgraded amenities.

Deluxe Suite Sleeps 2–3


Sleeps 2–3. Spacious suite with balcony and two bathrooms, each with bath and separate shower – ideal for longer stays or sharing couples.

Deluxe Suite with Private Pool Sleeps 2–4


Sleeps 2–4. Suite with private swimming pool and terrace, two bathrooms with bath and separate shower, sunbeds and enhanced in-room facilities including fridge and minibar (charge).

Residence Collection – Premium Junior Suite with Private Pool Sleeps 2–3


Sleeps 2–3. Junior suite configuration with private pool and Residence Collection extras such as pillow menu, turndown, upgraded amenities and stylish terrace with sunbeds.

*Images indicative; layouts/views may vary.

More info

Kolymbari offers a slower, more traditional side of Crete, with olive groves, a wide main beach and classic Greek tavernas serving long, leisurely meals. Being around 20km from Chania means you can easily mix days by the pool with trips into the old harbour and markets.

Language: Greek
Currency: Euro (€)
Time difference: GMT +2 hours
Average UK–Crete flight time: approx. 4 hours

All facilities, opening dates and entertainment schedules at Avra Imperial Hotel are subject to seasonal change and weather conditions. Some activities, services and refreshments may incur an additional local charge.

For entry rules and health guidance see the UK FCDO Greece advice.

Prices & book

Find your dates

Live availability and real-time offers. Low deposits, full ATOL protection.

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FAQs
Is Avra Imperial Hotel on the beach?
The hotel is set within Kolymbari resort centre, approximately 500m from the beach. It isn’t directly beachfront, but one of the main pool areas sits close to the shore, making it easy to combine pool time with visits to the sea.
Is Avra Imperial Hotel good for families?
Yes. Avra Imperial Hotel is designed for all ages, with children’s pools, a playground, a kids’ club for 4–11 year olds, a crèche for babies from 4 months, and children’s menus or buffets in several restaurants. At the same time, the spa, adults-leaning pools and Residence Collection rooms give grown-ups plenty of peaceful spaces.
What does All Inclusive Plus include at Avra Imperial Hotel?
All Inclusive Plus typically covers buffet-style breakfast and dinner at Basilico, buffet lunch at Blue Dong and à la carte lunch at Al Fresco Trattoria and Avra Seaside (subject to seasonal opening). Guests can usually dine à la carte for dinner in selected restaurants once per week (reservation required, subject to availability). Snacks are offered for at least three hours per day in the bars, and a wide choice of local and international drinks is served for a minimum of 12 hours daily. Extras often include a minibar restocked weekly and discounts on a fine wine list. Exact details may change; always confirm on arrival.
Does Avra Imperial Hotel have a dress code?
A smart casual dress code applies in most restaurants, particularly in the evening. The hotel generally requests that beachwear is not worn at dinner and that gentlemen wear long trousers in many of the à la carte and buffet venues. Specific requirements can vary by restaurant and season, so it’s worth checking the current policy at check-in.
Is there a spa at Avra Imperial Hotel and is it suitable for teenagers?
The hotel has a full-service spa with indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, steam room and a range of massage and beauty treatments. The spa and beauty area typically has a minimum age of 14 years, making it suitable for older teens accompanied by an adult. Treatments and access may carry an extra charge, and opening times can vary with occupancy.
What room types are best if I want a private pool?
If you’d like your own pool, look at Deluxe Rooms with Private Pool, Junior Suites with Private Pool, Premium Rooms with Private Pool, Premium Suites with Private Pool and Premium Junior Suites with Private Pool in the Residence Collection. These all include a terrace or balcony with sunbeds and a private swimming pool just for your room or suite.
Is Wi‑Fi available at Avra Imperial Hotel?
Yes, complimentary Wi‑Fi is available throughout Avra Imperial Hotel, including common areas and guest rooms, so you can stay connected or stream content during your stay.