The Hotel
2 Maisonettes
6 two-room apartments
37 studios
Area
3km
to Platanias
15km
to Chania
18km
to Harbour
22km
to Airport
How to get here
The distance from Chania airport is 20km to Platanias and 22km to Gerani (approx. a 40 minute drive) and from Heraklion airport it is 160km for Platanias and Gerani (approx. 2 hours’ drive).
If you plan to come by ship the distance from the port of Souda to Platanias is 15km and to Gerani 18km.
There is also a regular bus going from the city of Chania, every 20 minutes, and the bus stop is only 5 minute walking distance from our hotel.
It is also possible to use a taxi or even rent a car from one of several companies that exist in the wider area of Platanias.
Places of Interest and Things to Do
Fairytale beaches such as Elafonissi and Balos have now gained worldwide fame and promise to enchant you with their crystal clear waters.
The picturesque villages, hidden in the White Mountains are ideal for a visit but also are a place where one can admire the beauty of nature. The more adventurous travelers, who seek for more action, can choose from a wide range of water sports or get to know better the flora and fauna of the area, walking in one of the many hiking trails. Samaria gorge, the second largest in Europe, is just one of the countless gorges of the prefecture. However, the caves of the area are also remarkable, such as the elephant cave.
The rich history of the prefecture, which begins in ancient times and is obviously influenced by the Egyptians, Venetians and Turks who dominated the area throughout the years, will pleasantly surprise you with its architecture. Learn more during your visit to one of the countless museums.
The reception of our accommodation is always willing to provide you with additional information and to help you plan your vacation to your liking.
During your visit to our accommodation, do not forget to taste the traditional dishes of our place, cooked with "meraki" (passion).
The traditional Greek cuisine, which is characterized as Mediterranean, uses a wide range of local, pure ingredients.
Some of the most popular Cretan dishes in particular are: Pilafi (rice cooked in meat broth), Chochlii (snails) cooked in various ways, Antikristo (large pieces of meat put across a fire), Chaniotiko Boureki (made with potatoes, local cheese and zucchini) and many more.
Trust our suggestions and let us fill your trip with flavors and aromas of our place.
Ongoing commitment to environmentally friendly practices & business procedures
As a sustainable accommodation provider, Ilion Beach Hotel takes a comprehensive and recognised approach to sustainability by creating a significant impact on the reduction of its environmental footprint Acknowledged by leading travel organizations, sustainable & green travel practices & procedures are designed in partnership with the UNWTO Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, the EU Ecolabel, the Energy Star program, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and the Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative. As we are aware of our responsibility towards the current environmental challenges, we are committed to more responsible travel by focusing on the following key green practices, selected for their high impact potential and verified by independent sustainability experts:
We strongly believe in making sustainable travel choices easier for everyone. If done with respect for local communities, environments and biodiversity, travel can broaden horizons, reduce barriers and bring people closer together.


Prepare for your trip - Educate yourself about your destination. Be on the lookout for news and current events about the area. Learn about local history, customs and culture as well as vital ecosystems. Learn at least the basics of the local language. A simple hello, please, or thank you goes a long way. Approach travel with the desire to learn rather than just observe.
Pack light - Every kilo counts when flying. The more a plane weighs, the more carbon emissions it produces. Pack only what you really need during your holidays.
Enjoy the local drinks & food - Consuming a locally brewed beer, you will probably enjoy high quality ale, and your drink can be low-carbon by cutting down on 'drink mileage'. This applies to eating local products too. Let your taste buds be adventurous.
Be at home in a hotel - A great tip is to remember to act in a hotel like you would at home. Avoid getting clean towels when not necessary, don't have long showers and something frequently forgotten is to turn off lights and the Air Condition unit when you leave the room.
Reduce-Reuse-Recycle - As a thoughtful and responsible traveler, there are several things you can do during your holidays to minimize the amount of waste and ensure that specific objects as paper, glass or metal are deposited for recycling. If no bins are available in rural areas, keep all trash with you and deposit it once you return to your hotel and use the recycling bins.
Don't bag it - You want memories of your holiday to last for years but 500 years is way too long. Plastic bags can take up to 500 years to biodegrade so take a re-useable shopping bag with you when you go to local markets.
Avoid buying bottled water - Plastic bottles account for a lot of waste. The tap water in western Crete is safe to drink and we have installed water filters so our guests can use it to refill the eco-friendly bottle of water offered upon arrival.
Stick to the path - When hiking, always stay on marked trails and maintain a safe distance from any animals you may meet. Going off the beaten path could mean you trample on protected or endangered plants.
Be responsible at the beach - Travelers are visitors to these coastal areas and should enjoy them as such. Remember that the beach is home to numerous plants, animals, and birds that are found nowhere else in the world than at a beach, and many require beaches for nesting.
Use public transportation - Wherever possible, use public buses instead of a taxi or a rental car. Travel in local buses and ferries wherever possible is cheaper, kinder to the earth, and you will have a chance to meet with ordinary people while perhaps even learning more of the local language.
Share maps & books - Make sure to take as minimal of these maps and brochures as you can. Share one map between multiple people and look at the brochures while you are at your room and then put them back instead of taking them with you. If your map is in good condition or marked with some cool places, you can pass it on to a new guest. Use our book exchange service. By leaving a book you’ve already read and taking another one, you participate in a process of good exchanging, done by travelers from around the world.
Continued ecotourism - Spread awareness, as ecotourism definitely doesn't need to end with your flight home. Follow through on your commitment to conservation of the special places you visited and in your back yard at home. Share your experiences with others to foster a greater understanding of our world. The environment will thank you !!!