A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
The story of the family-owned Avra Collection hotels, starting with the opening of its first hotel in 1997 in the enchanting city of Chania in Crete, is the story of truly fortunate incidents that ultimately framed the hospitality landscape in the wider Chania region ever since.
Blending traditional Greek hospitality elements with impressive architectural structures, innovation and a single-minded dedication to the highest of standards, the unique story of Avra Collection quickly started unveiling itself.
Placing guests at the center of its core values, the main goal of Avra Collection is to provide guests an exceptional and distinct experience not only at the operational level, offering remarkable, world class services, but also starting from its outstanding architectural designs and incomparable surroundings.
Led by the strong pioneering spirit of the owners, each Avra Collection property is built with its own distinctive character yet closely tied with ancient or modern-day historical features and facts. This unique feature of all Avra Collection hotels in combination with its impeccable service and friendly people, invites all guests into a warm, sophisticated yet stimulating and exceptional hospitality experience.
OUR HISTORY IN FACTS
The first Avra Collection hotel opens in 1997 – initially launched as “Minoa Hotel” – in the very heart of Chania city in Crete, housed in a beautiful, historical building, located in one of the city’s main districts. Dating back in the early 20th century, the façade of the hotel has been declared as Preservable by the Ministry of Culture and its original architectural design, holding authentic Art Deco features, can still be found in the main building. Since 1997, the hotel which was ultimately renamed to Avra City Hotel in 2013, following the addition of Avra Imperial Hotel in Kolymvari, has been gaining loyal friends year by year as it is a true favorite amongst business and leisure travelers visiting the city of Chania. In the beginning of 2023, the hotel was renovated and certified as a boutique hotel.
Built in 2011 on the picturesque Kolymvari bay, providing a world of choice for accommodation, relaxation, fine dining and entertainment, Avra Imperial Hotel was built on the vision of becoming a milestone in modern luxury accommodation in the wider region of Chania.
The hotel’s architecture is largely inspired by the structural features of the Minoan Palaces; if one looks carefully, the subtle references to the ‘Minoan’ style in the hotel’s architectural features is quite noticeable. What’s even more, the modest presence of this ancient-inspired style in the design of the hotel, is amicably complemented by engraved symbols in all indoor and outdoor areas, the letters of the Linear B Script, which was the written language of the Minoans and Mycenaeans. In this -extraordinary- way, the unique architectural design of Avra Imperial gives all guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the experience of the earliest syllabic script in Europe, since the history of the written language of today’s European civilization begins with the Minoan script.
This year, Avra Collection introduces Avra Apartments, a fresh style of luxury accommodation combined with simplicity and sophisticated living, located at the old Venetian Harbour of Chania and the traditional Harbour of Kolymvari in the southern part of Rodopu peninsula.
Anticipating the demand for a new kind of leisure experiences -combining comfort and effortless luxury surroundings with breathtaking views and a sense of independence- Avra Collection’s portfolio expands with exquisitely decorated private homes in privileged locations. Always placing the guests at the center of its core values, the new apartments of Avra Collection aim at providing the level of services, comfort and convenience expected at a luxury 5* hotel.
Interestingly enough, both properties also have their own ties to ancient and modern-day historical features and facts that you are more than welcome to discover engaging yourselves in to a journey in the past.
