Blending Regenerative Luxury with Mediterranean Minimalism

Set against the rugged beauty of Crete’s Akra Pelegri coastline, the new JW Marriott in Marathi, designed by Athens-based Block722, exemplifies a new kind of regenerative luxury. Seamlessly integrated into the natural landscape and inspired by traditional Cretan architecture, the resort redefines sustainable hospitality through a site-sensitive, immersive approach rooted in environmental stewardship and local craftsmanship.

Aerial view
Photo credit: George Pappas

Outside Bar
Photo credit: Ana Santl

Sea View
Photo credit: Ana Santl

Positioned on a 59,700-square-metre terraced hillside overlooking Souda Bay, the resort’s 160 rooms and suites are thoughtfully distributed across elevations, maintaining harmony with the topography while maximizing privacy and sea views. The design carefully preserves the natural contours of the land, orchestrating a series of progressive reveals—from the native-planted entrance square to the sea-facing reception area and beyond. Each architectural element works in concert with the surrounding environment, emphasizing slow living and sensory connection.

Cretan Open Fire Restaurant
Photo credit: Ana Santl

Exclusive Suite_Living Room
Photo credit: Ana Santl

Exclusive Suite_Sink
Photo credit: Ana Santl

The spatial experience begins with an arrival sequence that unfolds deliberately, framing the sea as a dramatic backdrop. Inside, natural materials and subdued, earthy tones continue the dialogue between interior and exterior. Stone, terracotta, wood, linen, and rattan are used throughout, forming a palette directly inspired by the Cretan landscape. Even the stone walls and aggregates are sourced from on-site excavations, rooting the architecture in its literal ground.

Adults' Pool
Photo credit: Ana Santl

Entrance
Photo credit: Ana Santl

Reception
Photo credit: Ana Santl

Communal spaces—such as the reception, bar, main restaurant, and JW Market—are arranged in clean, geometric volumes that gradually open toward the coastline. Pergolas filter sunlight through slatted shades and evoke the simplicity of Doric columns, casting rhythmic shadows across reflective pools and outdoor terraces. These transitions from indoors to outdoors enhance the meditative quality of the guest experience.

Reception
Photo credit: Ana Santl

Bar
Photo credit: Ana Santl

Bar
Photo credit: Ana Santl

Further down the slope, shared amenities including shaded seating areas, swimming pools, and a wellness center are nested into the rocky terrain. Higher up, the guest accommodations continue the language of integration. Each unit is designed to dissolve boundaries between inside and out, offering private pools, shaded terraces, and rooftop gardens that create microclimates and visual continuity with the landscape.

Spa Reception
Photo credit: Ana Santl

Spa Wet Area
Photo credit: Ana Santl

Concierge
Photo credit: Ana Santl

Sustainability isn’t an afterthought—it’s the core philosophy driving every aspect of the resort. The project employs a regenerative approach to land stewardship, aiming not just to minimize harm but to actively restore the ecosystem. Block722 collaborated closely with local builders, artisans, and suppliers to ensure authenticity and minimize environmental impact. This local-first ethos extends from construction materials to furnishings and decorative details.

Entrance Pool
Photo credit: Ana Santl

Suites
Photo credit: Ana Santl

Suites
Photo credit: Ana Santl

The landscape design prioritizes native, drought-tolerant vegetation that supports biodiversity while requiring minimal irrigation. Passive cooling strategies—such as optimal orientation, cross-ventilation, and deep pergolas—reduce the need for mechanical systems. Active measures include solar energy generation through photovoltaic panels, water sourced from an on-site well, and green roofs that blend buildings into the terrain while boosting insulation.

Exclusive Suite_Bedroom
Photo credit: Ana Santl

General View Photo credit: Ana Santl

Aerial view
Photo credit: George Pappas

More than just a high-end resort, JW Marriott Crete serves as a blueprint for responsible, place-based tourism. It demonstrates how architecture can respectfully engage with its context—both cultural and ecological—while delivering transformative experiences. Guests are not only immersed in luxury, but in the rhythms, textures, and spirit of the island itself.

Block722

Block722 is an Athens-based architecture studio founded in 2009 by architect Sotiris Tsergas and interior designer Katja Margaritoglou. The team combines Greek and Scandinavian heritage, as well as interdisciplinary experience, and creates work that feels confident, natural, and timeless.

The studio undertakes a variety of work, from residential to commercial and hospitality, managing all stages of architectural development in-house, from concept design through to construction and delivery. Solutions always incorporate a focus on quality materials, a crafts-based approach, and collaborations with local artisans and artists that interpret the Mediterranean spirit and traditions for the 21st century.