Domes Noruz Chania

If there’s a more promising sequence of words in the travel-industry lexicon than “adults-only Greek-island beachside luxury boutique,” then we’re at a loss for what it would be. Domes Noruz Chania is the hotel in question, and if you’re not moved by the prospect of a bedroom that opens directly onto the beach, with a crack-of-dawn view of the blue waters of the Aegean Sea, then you might need a stronger intervention than any hotel can provide.

Not all rooms open straight onto the Aegean, to be fair — some open onto one of two pools, while others come with heated plunge pools or Jacuzzis. All, however, go some distance beyond the typical bed-and-bathroom hotel-room layout, and they’re attractively designed, residential in feel, and uniformly luxurious. The kids don’t know what they’re missing.

A small handful of bars and restaurants keep the social life moving, and make the most of the scenery as well as the local seafood. Both pools are alluring, as is the capacious spa and wellness center, and you’re never more than a few steps from the beach. As for location, Chania is one of Crete’s big cities, but you won’t feel crowded here, as Domes Noruz sits on the edge of town. What it does mean is easy access, with a number of flights to Chania direct from various European airports. You could be there by tomorrow night....