Giannoulis Santa Marina Beach Resort

🏖️ Beachfront setting directly on Aghia Marina’s long sandy, Blue Flag beach
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Great for all ages with kids’ pool, club and family rooms
🏊 Large outdoor pool areas split across the complex
🍽️ Four restaurants plus three bars for varied dining and sundowners
♻️ Certified Sustainable Hotel meeting GSTC-recognised standards
📶 Free Wi-Fi throughout

Official rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rooms: 212 | Blocks: 4 | Floors: 4 | Lifts: 5

Board options: All Inclusive, Half Board

Child age for reductions and facilities: generally up to 11 years (varies by room/offer).

Aghia Marina is one of Chania’s most popular beach resorts, and Giannoulis Santa Marina Beach Resort enjoys one of its prime spots right on the sand. Step from the pool terrace straight onto the wide, golden beach lined with parasols and watersports.

Within 100m you’ll find minimarkets, cafés and casual tavernas, while the small resort centre of Aghia Marina is about 1.5km away for more bars, shops and traditional mezé joints. Culture lovers are well-placed for day trips into Chania’s atmospheric old town and harbour, with frequent local buses and taxis making it easy to explore without hiring a car.

Beach: beachfront – direct access
Nearest shops, bars & restaurants: approx. 100m
Aghia Marina resort centre: approx. 1.5km
Chania old town & Venetian harbour: approx. 9–10km

Approx. transfer time from airport: 1 hour

Aghia Marina – Chania, Crete (Chania Area), Greece

Food is a real strength here, with a mix of buffet and à la carte venues showcasing Greek flavours and international favourites:

Azzurro – À la carte restaurant on the beach for atmospheric dinners of Greek, local and international cuisine (seasonal; reservations required).
Main Restaurant – Buffet with show cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner, ideal for relaxed family dining.
Sea Line – Beachfront à la carte spot for laid-back lunches with Cretan twists (seasonal).
Thodorou Restaurant – Buffet restaurant by the pool, serving breakfast and dinner with live cooking stations during the season.

Three bars keep refreshments close by wherever you are:
Beach Bar – steps from the waves, serving drinks and snacks through the day.
Main Bar – lobby bar open into the night for aperitifs and post-dinner cocktails.
Pool Bar – by the main pool, convenient for ice-cold drinks between swims.

Smart casual dress codes may apply in the evenings (no beachwear in restaurants), and opening dates/times can vary with occupancy and season. All Inclusive and Half Board inclusions differ – always check your bracelet and hotel information on arrival for the latest details. For a general idea of inclusions, see what All Inclusive typically includes.

The resort is split across landscaped grounds with several inviting pool areas:

• Two main outdoor freshwater pools, including sections for children, with spacious sun terraces, sunbeds and parasols.
• A dedicated children’s pool with a shallow section, perfect for splashing and first swims (inflatables are permitted in some areas).
• Complimentary pool towels are available (deposit or local charge may apply).

The star of the show is the long, sandy beachfront directly in front of the hotel. Expect gently shelving sand, pastel-shaded parasols and a lively shoreline with watersports available locally. It’s ideal for families who like minimal walking between lounger, pool and sea.

Stay active or sink into holiday mode – or alternate daily:

Sport & fitness
• Air-conditioned gym with cardio machines, free weights and fixed strength equipment (typically 07:00–21:00; min age 16).
• Table tennis.
• Yoga sessions on selected days (seasonal).

Spa & wellbeing
• Compact spa area offering massage treatments for guests 18+ (extra charge; reservations recommended).

Other useful facilities
• 24-hour reception with multilingual staff.
• Equipment hire such as kettles and wheelchairs (subject to availability; local charge).
• English-language newspapers available (local charge).
• Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, including many public areas.

Seasonal schedules and services may change from year to year, and some facilities operate depending on occupancy.

Rooms are spread across several low-rise blocks, many with garden, pool or beachfront outlooks. All come with air-conditioning, Wi‑Fi, flat-screen TV, coffee/tea facilities, hairdryer and a balcony or terrace as standard.

Maisonette Family Room
Sleeps: 2–4
Duplex-style family option with two levels and two shower bathrooms, giving extra space and privacy. Ideal for families or small groups wanting separate sleeping areas but to share one unit. Facilities typically include: flat-screen TV, Wi‑Fi, safe (local charge), coffee making facilities, kettle, fridge, hairdryer, minibar (charge), air‑conditioning, balcony or terrace, and daily towel change.

Single Room with Garden View
Sleeps: 1
A comfortable base for solo travellers, overlooking the gardens. Includes flat-screen TV, Wi‑Fi, safe (local charge), coffee making facilities, kettle, balcony or terrace, hairdryer, minibar (charge), shower bathroom, air‑conditioning and daily cleaning.

Double or Twin Room with Pool View
Sleeps: 2–3
Bright rooms looking over one of the pools, great for being close to the action. Facilities include flat-screen TV, Wi‑Fi, safe (local charge), coffee making facilities, kettle, balcony or terrace, hairdryer, minibar (charge), shower bathroom, air‑conditioning and daily cleaning.

Open Plan Family Room
Sleeps: 2–4
An airy, studio-style family space with open-plan layout, ideal for younger families who prefer everyone together. Comes with flat-screen TV, Wi‑Fi, safe (local charge), coffee making facilities, kettle, fridge, balcony or terrace, hairdryer, minibar (charge), shower bathroom, air‑conditioning and daily towel change.

Double or Twin Room with Garden View
Sleeps: 2–3
These rooms look onto the hotel’s gardens for a calmer feel. Standard facilities as above, including balcony or terrace, air‑conditioning, Wi‑Fi and daily cleaning.

Beachfront Double or Twin Room
Sleeps: 2–3
The closest rooms to the sand, ideal if you want to step straight out onto the beachfront area. Enjoy a balcony or terrace, flat-screen TV, Wi‑Fi, safe (local charge), coffee making facilities, kettle, hairdryer, minibar (charge), shower bathroom, air‑conditioning and daily cleaning.

*Images indicative; layouts/views may vary.

🏋️ Air-conditioned gym with cardio and strength equipment (16+)
🏓 Table tennis
🧘 Yoga sessions (seasonal, programme varies)
🎭 Regular evening entertainment from May to October, including in-house shows
🎧 Live DJ sets and live music on selected nights (seasonal)
🌊 Beachfront setting with watersports available nearby (run by local operators, extra cost)

🛎️ 24-hour reception and luggage assistance
👨‍👩‍👧 Children’s club (5–10 years) with arts & crafts, stories, drama and music (seasonal daytime hours)
👶 Family-friendly touches in restaurants, including highchairs and microwaves
💆 On-site spa with massage treatments for adults (18+, extra charge)
♿ Wheelchair hire available (on request; charges may apply)
📰 English-language newspapers (local charge)
🧴 Pool towels available (deposit/local charge may apply)
🌍 Certified Sustainable Hotel meeting GSTC-recognised standards

Crete’s Aghia Marina pairs laid-back beach days with easy access to Chania’s culture and nightlife. Local time is typically GMT+2, the currency is the Euro (€) and Greek is the official language, though English is widely spoken in tourist areas. Average flight time from the UK to Chania (CHQ) is around 4 hours, with an approximate road transfer of 1 hour to Giannoulis Santa Marina Beach Resort.

Many facilities and entertainment options here are seasonal and may depend on occupancy; some services and amenities carry an extra local charge. All Inclusive and Half Board details can change from year to year, so always check the latest information provided at check-in.

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

Giannoulis Santa Marina Beach Resort Prices & Book
Choose your dates in the search box for live availability and offers. Book with low deposits. ATOL Protected.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Giannoulis Santa Marina Beach Resort directly on the beach?
Yes. The resort has a true beachfront location in Aghia Marina, with the hotel’s gardens and pool area leading straight onto a long, sandy Blue Flag beach. It’s ideal if you like to switch easily between sea and pool.

2. What board basis can I book at Giannoulis Santa Marina Beach Resort?
You can choose between All Inclusive and Half Board. All Inclusive usually includes buffet-style breakfast, lunch and dinner in selected restaurants, snacks at certain times of day and a selection of local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks from morning until late evening. Half Board typically covers buffet breakfast and dinner in the main restaurant, with drinks charged separately. Exact inclusions and opening times are subject to change, so always confirm the details at check-in.

3. Is the hotel suitable for families with children?
Very much so. The hotel offers children’s pools and sections in some main pools, a kids’ club for 5–10 year olds during the summer months, family room types, highchairs and microwaves in the restaurants, and a sandy beach that generally shelves gently into the sea. This makes Giannoulis Santa Marina Beach Resort a great option for multi-age family groups.

4. How long does the transfer from Chania Airport take?
The transfer from Chania Airport (CHQ) to Giannoulis Santa Marina Beach Resort takes roughly 1 hour by road, depending on traffic and any additional stops on the route. Private transfers are often a little quicker than shared shuttles.

5. Does Giannoulis Santa Marina Beach Resort have a gym and spa?
Yes. There is an air-conditioned gym equipped with cardio and strength machines, plus a small spa area offering massage treatments for guests aged 18 and over. Use of the gym is typically included, while spa treatments are payable locally and should be pre-booked on site.

6. What is the typical child age policy at the hotel?
Child reductions on packages are often based on children up to 11 years sharing with adults, although this can vary by room type and offer. The on-site kids’ club normally caters for children aged 5–10 years during the main summer season. If you’re travelling with infants or older teens, check your specific room’s occupancy limits when booking.

7. Is Wi‑Fi available at Giannoulis Santa Marina Beach Resort?
Yes. Free Wi‑Fi is advertised as available throughout the hotel, including many public areas and guest rooms. Signal strength can vary slightly depending on your location within the complex.

8. Is there evening entertainment at the resort?
The hotel usually runs a programme of evening entertainment from late April/early May through October, including in-house shows, live music and DJ sets on selected nights. The schedule is seasonal and can change based on occupancy, so check the weekly programme when you arrive.