For 50 years, Creta Maris has been more than a resort — it’s been a living story shaped by moments shared with the Metaxa family, cherished guests, dedicated employees, and our local community.
Each day, each summer, each smile has built the legacy we celebrate today. Step into our story. Discover the people, the memories, and the milestones that made us who we are.
1975-1985 - The Beginning of a Vision
After a year of pilot operation with just the Bungalows completed in 1974, the resort officially opens its doors in 1975. With the Maris Buildings finalised, full operation begins and the reception moves to its current location—designed by architect Mr Stragalis and founder Nikos Metaxas as a timeless welcome area, featuring ancient-style artefacts, traditional amphorae, and a signature chandelier that remained a centrepiece until 2022.
1975-1985 - The Beginning of a Vision
A major flood hits the resort in September. Much of the hotel’s equipment—only a year or two old—is destroyed, including storage rooms, linens, kitchen supplies, and oil reserves. Yet what stands out is not the damage, but the calm and determined response of Nikos Metaxas, who guides the team through recovery with clarity and resilience.
These were the years of foundation—of turning dreams into stones, memories into walls, and hospitality into legacy. Everything that Creta Maris is today began here, with the heart, vision, and belief of two people who built more than a hotel. They built a way of welcoming the world.
1985-1995 - A Time of Joy, Growth & Connection
The golden years of Greek tourism see Creta Maris hosting guests from all over the world. Social evenings, traditional dance nights, and family-friendly entertainment become the beating heart of the resort, reflecting the spirit of the times—joyful, generous, and inclusive.
1985-1995 - A Time of Joy, Growth & Connection
The resort experiences one of its most vibrant summers. With tourism flourishing, Creta Maris becomes a social hub—hosting weddings, Greek nights, and guest celebrations that turned summer holidays into cherished memories.
1985-1995 - A Time of Joy, Growth & Connection
By the early '90s, families who once visited as children return as adults with their own children, beginning a tradition of multi-generational travel that still defines the spirit of Creta Maris today.
These were the years when joy was shared effortlessly, and bonds were formed naturally. With a heart open to the world, Creta Maris didn’t just grow—it flourished, becoming a beloved place of gathering, celebration, and connection.
1985-1995 - A Time of Joy, Growth & Connection
Creation of the Creta Maris Blood Bank at Venizeleio Hospital. This pioneering social initiative was launched to meet the seasonal demand for blood donations, especially during summer traffic accidents. It was embraced wholeheartedly by staff and continues to this day, with high participation every year.
1995-2005 - A Decade of Recognition, Expansion & Cultural Vision
In 1997, Creta Maris organised its first leisure cruise for employees — a pioneering initiative to reward the team and strengthen bonds. The spirit of recognition continues through other engagement initiatives till this day.
1995-2005 - A Decade of Recognition, Expansion & Cultural Vision
Creta Maris becomes the first hotel in the Mediterranean to receive ISO 9001 certification, underlining its long-standing dedication to quality and safety—well before such standards became an industry norm
1995-2005 - A Decade of Recognition, Expansion & Cultural Vision
Publication of the first Quality Report, setting the foundation for what would later become the resort’s Sustainability Reports. At the time, sustainability as a concept hadn’t emerged fully, yet the need to track and communicate responsible practices was already clear.
1995-2005 - A Decade of Recognition, Expansion & Cultural Vision
The Maris Green Team is formed—a voluntary environmental team made up of employees who continue to lead community clean-up actions and environmental initiatives across the Heraklion region to this day.
1995-2005 - A Decade of Recognition, Expansion & Cultural Vision
The first Biennale of Fine Arts Students of Greece is hosted at Creta Maris. In collaboration with national art schools and the newspaper “Ta Nea tis Technis”, this cultural initiative offered young artists a platform to exhibit their work—supported by the Group through awards, exhibitions, and heartfelt hospitality. The Biennale became a recurring event in the years that followed.
1995-2005 - A Decade of Recognition, Expansion & Cultural Vision
Inauguration of the Creta Maris Convention Centre. Built rapidly to host the European Orthodontic Congress, the centre marked a major step in transforming the resort into a premier MICE destination. It was developed upon the original Minos Hall, expanding its capabilities and architectural significance.
1995-2005 - A Decade of Recognition, Expansion & Cultural Vision
The first Employee Conference of Maris Hotels takes place.
A tradition is born—bringing the team together for training, connection, and shared purpose. It evolves through the years into today's Staff Welcome & Farewell Weeks, always reflecting our commitment to our people’s growth and well-being.
1995-2005 - A Decade of Recognition, Expansion & Cultural Vision
Construction of the Holy Trinity Chapel, an expression of tradition and deep personal vision. Its interior was curated by Mrs Theano Metaxa, blending her love for folklore with the sacred. From the use of a repurposed war-era bomb shell as a bell, to a restored icon stand filled with antique liturgical vessels, every detail tells a story of reverence and heritage.
1995-2005 - A Decade of Recognition, Expansion & Cultural Vision
Opening of Terra Maris Hotel, a significant extension that broadened the resort’s capacity and offerings, laying the groundwork for the unification that would follow in later years.
This decade established Creta Maris not only as a pioneer in hospitality excellence but also as a place where people, culture, and purpose converge. By honouring its people, embracing innovation, and opening its doors to art and dialogue, the resort stepped confidently onto the world stage—without ever losing its Cretan soul.
2005-2015 - Honouring the Past & Embracing the Future
The Maris Hotels group receives the EFQM Award for Business Excellence, recognising its dedication to continuous improvement and outstanding service.
2005-2015 - Honouring the Past & Embracing the Future
A new pool, Spira Pool, is built along the seafront, inspired by the shell shape featured in the resort’s former logo. To make space for this development, the existing mini club is relocated and fully redesigned into what is now known as the Asterias Kids Club —a colourful, modern, and safe space aligned with European safety standards.
2005-2015 - Honouring the Past & Embracing the Future
The hotels Creta Maris and Terra Maris are unified under the new name Creta Maris Convention & Golf Resort, introducing a refreshed identity that highlights the resort’s leading conference facilities.
2005-2015 - Honouring the Past & Embracing the Future
On 21 June, Creta Maris bids farewell to its visionary founder, Nikos Metaxas. Colleagues, friends, and collaborators gather to honour his life and legacy before he is laid to rest in his beloved Asfentami, at Lassithi Plateau.
2005-2015 - Honouring the Past & Embracing the Future
The Organic Field receives Organic Farming Certification under EU Regulation 2018/848. This milestone confirms a journey that began years earlier, as Creta Maris had been applying organic farming principles on this land since 1997. The certification formalises a long-standing commitment to ecological cultivation, deepening the resort’s enduring connection to the land and its sustainable philosophy.
2005-2015 - Honouring the Past & Embracing the Future
A major turning point arrives with the introduction of the Green Cretan All-Inclusive concept. This new philosophy redefines the resort’s approach, blending high-quality hospitality with sustainability and locality, proving that an all-inclusive experience can be both responsible and refined.
2005-2015 - Honouring the Past & Embracing the Future
The resort organises its first full evacuation drill, under the guidance of Professor Efthymios Lekkas and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. This pioneering initiative sets new standards for guest and staff safety in the Greek hospitality industry.
2005-2015 - Honouring the Past & Embracing the Future
Creta Maris publishes its first Sustainability Report, marking the beginning of a new era of transparency and accountability. In the coming years, sustainability reports continue to evolve, simultaneously transforming the way we operate.
These ten years laid the groundwork for a more conscious and connected Creta Maris. By embracing sustainability, honouring local identity, and investing in safety and family-friendly innovation, the resort reaffirmed its role not just as a place to stay—but as a place that truly belongs to its people, its land, and its time.
2015-2025 - A Decade of Growth & Renewal
Cine Creta Maris returns to its original summer charm, reopening after a decade. With new releases twice a week, the open-air cinema welcomes both guests and the local community, bringing stories to life under the stars.
2015-2025 - A Decade of Growth & Renewal
As a proud family resort, Creta Maris Waterpark opens next to the Conference Centre after a surprise archaeological discovery changes its original location—offering excitement and unforgettable moments to guests of all ages.
2015-2025 - A Decade of Growth & Renewal
A major flood hits the resort in November, just days after closing. Although no one is injured, damage is extensive. In a united response, the team clears and restores the affected areas, leading to full renovations of the engine rooms, linen storage, staff areas, and more.
2015-2025 - A Decade of Growth & Renewal
Completion of the East Pools project brings modern, serene spaces to the eastern wing of the resort. During construction, archaeological findings are preserved and displayed, enriching the guest experience with a glimpse into the island’s ancient past.
2015-2025 - A Decade of Growth & Renewal
Launch of the “Sustainable Supplies” & “Sustainable Hotel Farming” programs, reinforcing our commitment to regenerative practices. Through partnerships with local producers and innovative training, the resort supports sustainable agriculture and responsible sourcing. Certified organic gardens, ESG-focused education, and a deeper farm-to-table philosophy bring sustainability to every corner of the guest experience.
These initiatives are part of a broader vision that guides the entire Metaxa Hospitality Group, shaping a consistent path towards a more sustainable and resilient future.
2015-2025 - A Decade of Growth & Renewal
The Conference Centre is named “Mikis Theodorakis”, honoring the legendary Greek composer, who passed away one year ago and had presented his “Theory of Universal Harmony” in that very space.
2015-2025 - A Decade of Growth & Renewal
Launch of the program “Regenerating the Lassithi Plateau and its People | Towards a Sustainable Food Destination”. As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability and local support, Creta Maris initiates a long-term collaboration focused on promoting regenerative agriculture in the Lassithi Plateau. The programme strengthens traditional farming practices, empowers the local community, and contributes to shaping Crete as a sustainable food destination.
2015-2025 - A Decade of Growth & Renewal
A new era begins for Creta Maris. With the introduction of its renewed identity, Everything Under the Sun , the resort embraces a fresh visual and emotional language—one deeply rooted in the Metaxa family’s legacy. The new logo draws from the textures of archaeology, the soul of Cretan textiles, and the warmth of authentic hospitality.
This transformation is not only symbolic. A full renovation of the seafront public areas —including the reception, restaurants, bars, and shared spaces—ushers in a contemporary aesthetic while staying true to the spirit of the past.
2015-2025 - A Decade of Growth & Renewal
Creta Maris celebrates 50 years of heartfelt hospitality. A landmark moment, not just for the resort, but for all the people—guests and team members—who have made this place part of their lives.
These years stand as a testament to Creta Maris’ ability to embrace change while preserving what truly matters: authenticity, quality, and a warm welcome that always feels like home.
