Greece’s Isle of Crete’s Oceanfront Corinna Mare

Greece’s Isle of Crete’s Oceanfront Corinna Mare

Reasonable Luxe/Affordable Heaven! Thrilled to find a mesmerizing oceanfront boutique resort hotel The Corinna Mare – it made our visit to Crete – with its vibe to beat all vibes, both intimate and inclusive and with The island’s ”best sunset,” to boot.

By Cathy H. Burroughs, International Travel Writer & Adventure Blogger

We heard that Greece’s Isle of Crete, one of the largest and most populated of the Greek Isles, the world’s 88th largest isle and the Mediterranean’s 5th largest – was not to be missed!

Known to be soulful, beautiful, affordable and a delight, we were not disappointed. Thrilled to find a mesmerizing oceanfront boutique resort hotel The Corinna Mare – it made our visit to Crete – with its vibe to beat all vibes, both intimate and inclusive and with The island’s ”best sunset,” to boot.

With fresh and sophisticated studios and suites, we could hunker down without breaking the bank in this three-star heaven. With both salted and non-salted pools, Polynesian umbrellas and a killer view, The Corinna Mare appears to have been dropped right smack dab on the sea like a dollop of perfectly whipped cream – close but not too close to the hubbub of Old Town Chania and a short walk to neighboring sandy and super popular Kalamaki Beach.

Ancient Crete, home to the minotaur and his labyrinth, is one of the earliest of the advanced civilizations of Europe. It’s earliest inhabitants, the Minoans made home to both its major cities – Chania’s ancient harbor or two hours away to the island’s midpoint the palace and ruins of Knossos in the Haraklion region.

The Corinna Mare’s Star

Crete lays claim to its own brand of music, crafts and food. To add frosting to the gravy, our hotel is one of the island’s most sought after night spots! Enjoy great food and drinks under the stars with the waves literally kissing our toes from the dock.

For hotel guests there’s an effusive breakfast bar, tapas lunches and sandwiches, traditional fish, shrimp, lamb and Cretan fare as well as crispy and fresh late night pizza delivered right to the rooms.

Here are just a few reasons why we flipped for this dreamy place and its sister bistro:

1) Location, location, location: Situated on this stretch of foothills of the charming village of Galatas right next to Kalamaki Beach, the hotel is a short taxi or bus ride from the airport and Old Town Chania. You can leave to go explore Olde Town Chania easily and quickly return, because you really don’t want to leave this place – ever – trust us!

2) In the eye of the ocean: You are literally bulls-eyed onto the wild, yet temperate Aegean. You can literally step right into the nerve center of the ocean from the dock, as well as snorkel, swim to a nearby high rock and ascend like Venus emerging from the sea as one exuberant guest did to the exultation of her docked husband. Many of the hotel’s guests sunbathe on the oceanside dock… or pool decks. Dine dockside at the oceans’ edge under the stars and moon – one of our most romantic nights ever!

3) The views: From your room window and wide balconies your wide-eyed vantage covers the sweep of horizon – the incredible pools, Polynesian-style umbrellas and the sea and setting suns as well as the wafting aromas of its verdant gardens. Choose the sea view – every time!

4) The hotel’s team:

• Katerina: A one person concierge, helpful and knowledgeable, she’s held down the fort for 19 plus years as the thorough and attentive advance team, conveying the hotel’s value, spirit and history. Her long and enthusiastic tenure is a testament in and of itself!
• Yannis! The bright, generous and super smart hotel manager, he rescued our abducted ATM card (sucked into the vortex of the next door ATM machine) and other feats – our hero!
• The restaurant manager: Another Yannis: He runs his remarkable restaurant with finesse and friendlitude of great magnitude. His equally remarkable eatery is ultra reasonable. The entire team makes you share a life-long bond. Cornucopious breakfast bar, divine and healthy fresh food and did we say incredible value? It doesn’t get much better. It’s seaside location makes all alluring possibilities highly likely.

7) The restaurant: We challenge you to find a Cretan venue to top the sublime Corinna Star: beyond fabulous and out of this world Greek fare. Each posh and simply superb meal better than the last. We see why hotel guests never leave and why locals and visitors alike pack the place most nights. We miss it all – our server Philip, our fresh pool side $5 Greek sandwich and our ocean side gourmet feast – perhaps one of our most memorably amorous meals from the road – bar none!

8) Amenities: Right across the street is a small super market, an excellent discount car rental place that sells tickets to a series of super fun half day mini train adventures at bargain basement fares. From these mini trains you can see other parts of the island up close and personal with personable and really nice guides. No rental car needed. BUT if you need one, there you are!

9) The rooms: Elegant, minimal, with comfy beds, kitchenettes, great balcony patios with tables and chairs for private dining. Ideal for the introvert, extrovert, honeymooner, family or solo vagabond. Find total seclusion or revelry steps away.

10) Two pools – salted and not. A martini for the soul. Nuff said.

11) The supremely lovely Margarita – her reputation precedes her – a real life alluring mermaid serving up high balls in her virtually private bar or poolside.

10) Library with plenty of paperbacks. Also a pool table! And adorable kitty cats.

11) Generous, open door policy: Once we were forlornly making our bittersweet departure, the manger invited us to come back anytime to use the pool or facilities. There are showers, work-out area, saunas and changing rooms.

So to sum up: déjà vu, baby! An all round amazing stay in every way! This is a place we could return year after year and many, many do.

Truly one of the most lovely, warm hotel, beach, pool, restaurant, food, people, room, view, vibe, value ever. It truly checks all the boxes with flourish – really nearly perfect in every way. We send love to you Corinna Mare and The Corinna Star Restaurant! We will meet again! On that you can rely!

Outings by land

Right across the street from the hotel catch the Little Fun Train. What a deal and an exhilarating way to avert navigating the isle’s zig zag hilly roadways – and zip around the island and see the sights: the wild scenery, natural springs, freewheeling Kri Kri goats, the strongest home brewed booze you’ll nearly ever encounter, wine and olive oil tastings….Hit the miles of olive and maple trees, orange groves and villages of Platanias, Agia Marina, Maleme, Galatas, Kolimbari, Alikianos, Therissos on such routes as Blue Lagoon, Seven Villages, Southern Comfort, Grand Canyon, Orange Valley, Moonlight Express and Hidden Treasures. Against the backdrop of The White Mountains wander the caves of 17th century monstery of Gonia, uncharted “pages of time;” there’s even a water park. +30 282 10 60817.

Outings by sea

For 3.5 hours tour the Cretan seaside, underwater artifacts, snorkeling, close encounter with baby octopi and neighboring island beach: All courtesy of Captain Nick and his glass bottom boat Aphrodite. Old Town Chania harbor’s only Captain owner his unsurpassed safety, knowledge and experience guarantees this Cretan boating excursion will exceed expectations.

Cathy H. Burroughs spent two months discovering Greece (some relatively uncharted for non-Greek speakers); Madrid, Spain’s capital and the surrounding time capsule medieval walled villages; the intrigues of small town Andalusia, the mysteries and majesty of Granada’s Moorish palace compound The Alhambra; the region’s godlike horses, sherry bodegas, flamenco caves and Portugal’s sultry and shiny Lisbon, the oceanside purity of The Algarve and Sintra’s eccentric castles and mansions one recent summer, made possible in part by www.homeexchange.com. She is a noted travel writer who loves sharing her adventures, finds and passion for travel.