So, why the name – voco Hotel and Spa Winchester? voco loosely translates from the Latin for an invitation and a coming together. And no, that isn’t a typo. voco, doesn’t want a capital letter. It’s as as much a state of mind as a hotel.  A unique contemporary name, free of grammar protocols and stuffy pretension.

voco Hotel and Spa Winchester has location, location and more location going for it. Set amongst the green hills of the South Down National Park, this 131-bedroom hotel is within minutes of historic Winchester. Once the capital of Wessex and then England; instrumental in the birth of a nation. 

In October 2023, voco reopened after an eight month and £2m refurbishment. The Holiday Inn had a personality makeover and was reborn as voco Hotel and Spa, a stylish destination for relaxation and me-time. Work too, if you really must.

The welcome

Two staff await at reception to quickly check us in. All they need is a surname to locate our booking and confirm our restaurant booking. Then we’re on our way and in the lift. 

Entering our room, a welcoming message on the 50-inch television encourages us, as if we need it, to relax. 

The room

In keeping with voco style, there’s a “come on in and feel at home” vibe to our Premium Room, which has calming grey/blue paintwork. Those light and soothing colours, with a sea-spray flourish of white, are picked up in the deep pile carpets. All cooled effectively, in humid mid-summer, by delicious air-conditioning. 

It’s a spacious, relaxing room with strategically placed ceiling spotlights and a modernist standard lamp which aspires to angle-poise status, all deferring to a king-size bed. Thoughtful design provides a long desk for working with a large oval mirror so that it multi-tasks as a dressing table too. There is an extensive beverage tray, plus a Nespresso coffee-maker with a choice of capsules. 

There is an extensive beverage tray, plus a Nespresso coffee-maker with a choice of capsules. 

The bathroom

A thoughtful design touch is that controls are placed mid-bath so that you set the right temperature before setting foot under the shower. It’s also a deep bath for more indulgent me-time. White towels and dressing gowns are high-end, pristine and fluffy. Antipodes Fig and Feijoa toiletries provide caressing pure, natural and vegan skincare.

The facilities

Kitchen 21 is named after the now legendary 21-inch pizzas that are the signature dish of the open plan kitchens.

Wood texture walls, terracotta planters, green banquettes and tan chairs combine to give a reassuringly natural feel to a light restaurant where tables are well-spaced. 

As well as the core menu of steaks, burgers, chicken and salads, a seasonal menu – think seabass, vegan Thai curry, garlic and lemon pork chop – brings variety for the large numbers of regular diners staying on business.

 Amongst the starters, a watercress soup gives a nod to Britain’s watercress capital, that’s Alresford, which is a mere 10 minutes drive away.  A black pudding scotch egg, yolk warm and runny, on a bed of piccalilli with roquette, shows impressive creativity. As does a Colado Mess for pud, tropically replacing traditional strawberries with pineapple and adding coconut ice-cream. A dish that’s a metaphor for voco’s attitude. 

No surprise then that breakfast is virtually whatever you want it to be, grazing from the buffet or cooked to order. 

There’s more indulgence and me-time at the ANA Spa, where it’s advisable to book in advance. Along with a sense of wellbeing and calm, the spa delivers a Himalayan Salt Sauna, Sensory Shower, Crystal Steam Room and Bubbly Foot Spa. 

Treadmills, bikes, ergo, free-weights, medicine balls and even space to spread out the yoga mats – the exceptionally well-equipped gym has it all. 

The location

Minutes off the M3, heading south from London to Southampton, voco is within striking distance of the south coast, the New Forest and all of Winchester’s attractions.

Take a walking tour of Winchester to learn about the power of the Itchen as a working river, once powering 22 local mills, and to be given the “Wayfarer’s Dole”, a tiny cup of ale and a morsel of bread at the charitable Hospital of St Cross.

Or follow in the steps of poet John Keats whose walk from Cathedral to river to College is said to have inspired his to “Autumn Ode”.

Steam-tinged memories of The Railway Children are rekindled at the Alresford station on the Watercress Line. A railway that until its closure in 1973 was the first leg of a journey that transported watercress to the nation. Now its cafe, platforms and the signalman’s vegetable patch nostalgically recall another era.

The pretty town of Alresford with cafe and pub tables spilling onto the pavement, hanging baskets and a plethora of independent shop is perhaps one of the most attractive of the market towns around Winchester.

Many events are leading up to the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth on 16th December 2025. Literary pilgrims head to her gravestone at Winchester Cathedral and the Jane Austen House Museum at Chawston. 

Other nice touches

Throughout, three birds bring significant artwork to the decor. A chatty and friendly welcome is shown by the finch. Quieter, calmer owls represent in/room down time and flamingos, in public areas, reflect guests’ social instincts 

LED lighting, timers for air-con and heating, and bedding made from 100% recycled materials, all help voco on its eco-friendly journey to sustainability.

Refreshed daily, the mini-bar includes cans of Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, lager and Coca-Cola. 

The cost

From £250.00 per Premium room including breakfast for two people sharing the room.

The best bit

The bar and lounge areas are modern, sophisticated, buzzy and inviting; whether it be for a morning latte or an evening mojito, whether it be for socialising around the comfy sofas, reading in one of the secluded armchairs or working at a high-level desk.

Decor is intriguing, with local touches, and blends contemporary with cosy.

The final verdict

voco, still no capital letter, is “reliably different” as its credo promises. Upscale but not stuffy. Comfortable but classy. Quality without pretension. A cozy sanctuary but sociable too. 

voco is an irresistible concept not just for Winchester but one that is spreading across continents from Ho Chi Minh City through Dubai to California.

Disclosure: Our stay was sponsored by voco Hotel and Spa Winchester.

Some 100 miles south of mainland Greece, there’s an alluring new island oasis to dispose of your stress — and your stash of Marriott Bonvoy points, too.

Last month, the JW Marriott in Crete began welcoming guests to its 160-room hillside resort that hugs the Aegean coastline, just outside the Cretan city of Chania.

A place where you can soak in a private infinity pool while simultaneously taking in views of the Dikti mountains, this new high-end Marriott-affiliated property lives up to the spot it claimed earlier this year on TPG’s list of most exciting hotel openings of 2025.

And we were among the first paying guests to check it out. Here’s what it was like.

First impressions

When pulling up to the brand-new JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa, it’s clear water figures prominently into all aspects of the property, from the shimmering reflection pools surrounding the lobby to the myriad places to take a dip.

And that’s to say nothing of the Aegean Sea, which is accessible just steps from the resort.

The whole property is built into the hillside, with clusters of villas, restaurants and pools lining the rugged terrain — with the best panoramic views as you climb.

You get a sense of calmness as soon as you arrive on-site: Soft music plays in the background, a sea breeze gently blows and views of the mountain peaks across the cove greet you.

There’s no need to visit the front desk at check-in; the entire process happened from the comfort of a sofa while sipping a complimentary signature mocktail (lemon verbena with fresh thyme).

Rooms

Keeping with the idea that water is a focal point at this property, the type of room (and price you pay) hinges, in large part, on the type of pool you get (or don’t get) with your accommodations.

I booked one of the property’s deluxe swim-up rooms, which sounded hard to beat. The special rate included breakfast as part of the property’s opening and came to 346 euros (about $405) per night all-in.

Upon arrival, though, the property did me one better, upgrading me (thanks to my Platinum Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program) to a deluxe room with a private pool.

Inside, the room itself followed the minimalist design prominent throughout the property, with neutral colors accented by brown wood elements.

The room was set on two levels, with the bed and bathroom up top and the living room and sofa section down a single step, sort of sunken below the top level.

The bathroom featured an expansive soaking tub with a skylight and a large open shower area. Toiletries were from Aromatherapy Associates London.

By far the star of the entire space, though, was the private infinity pool outside the sliding glass door. The pool had more than enough space for two guests (and probably a couple of kids, too,).

The patio/pool deck came with a dining table and two padded lounge chairs, along with beach towels that housekeeping kept replenished throughout the stay.

If I’m being picky, there’s not a ton of privacy while sitting on this particular patio; you’re pretty close both to neighbors and passersby. You also don’t have quite the views of the sea and mountains you’d get if you’re in a room that’s set higher up the hillside, if that matters to you.

Other accommodations include the swim-up pool that a few rooms share. There are also rooms that don’t include a pool. There are even some more luxurious suites and multistory villas up the hill, some of which were still under construction (luckily, there were no issues with construction noise during my stay).

Related: 14 best all-inclusive resorts with swim-up rooms

Dining

The JW Marriott Crete technically has six dining options, though some were still just in their opening phases during my stay.

In fact, during the evening dinnertime hours, only two full-service eateries were open, both overlooking the sea.

A favorite: Anoee, which serves delicious, easily shareable Cretan-inspired dishes in an outdoor setup that leans into the surrounding rugged, rocky terrain. Highlights included the kalitsounia (cheese pastries) appetizer for $21, Cretan pilafi (a popular local rice dish) for $25 and keftedes (Greek meatballs) for $29.

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Steps away was Onalos, the upscale patio-style seafood eatery.

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During the day, we ate all our lunches (and enjoyed a few daytime beverages) from Suncti, the poolside bar situated under a bamboo awning.

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Up on the main level of the property, extending outward from the check-in area, the lobby-esque bar Eexis had cocktails, wines and beer available during our stay and proved a great place to enjoy an early evening drink while watching the sun set.

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Next door, Fayi is advertised on the Marriott app as the “main restaurant” for the property, but during my visit, it simply offered an expansive breakfast buffet that combined American and Mediterranean flavors. It should certainly satisfy Platinum Elite (and above) Marriott Bonvoy members entitled to free breakfast.

Cuccagna, the adjacent Italian eatery with a brick oven, was set to open on the day I departed.

Property-wide, I found the dishes well prepared, fresh and full of local flavor, even as many of the venues were still getting their footing on service as the resort ramps up its guest count.

Amenities

As a traveler forever in search of a great pool, the top amenity at this resort is, without a doubt, the three main pools — one of which is a wading pool and another is exclusively for adults — that overlook the Aegean and Crete’s mountains.

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Seaside cabanas

If close access to the sea is more your vibe, there are cabanas lining the rocky shore that you can use for free.

From there, it’s only a few steps down the dock to a ladder to lower yourself into the water. Or, you can walk over to a narrow zero-entry beach.

Fitness center

Inside the main building, the gym was well equipped with brand-new cardio and weight machines. Additionally, there was a yoga room used for a variety of yoga and Pilates group workouts.

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Spa

The property is also in the process of opening a spa that, from renderings TPG shared earlier this summer, looks like it will be a major draw going forward.

Boat excursions

In addition to the property’s main amenities, the on-site concierge can connect guests with private boat reservations that depart from the nearby dock. Full-day tours start at 1,500 euros ($1,759) … a tempting option but one that was not in the budget for this trip.

Related: 30 best Marriott hotels in the world that you can book with points

Location and logistics

This new JW Marriott property sits on the northern coast of Crete, on the western side of the Greek island.

The resort is about a 20-minute drive from Chania International Airport (CHQ), making for a seamless trip, thanks, in part, to a private black car-esque transfer the front desk set up ahead of arrival. The transfer was 35 euros ($41) each way.

It’s about 25 to 30 minutes to the center of Chania and its Old Venetian Harbor, with its myriad of shops and restaurants. You can use the same private transfer service arranged by the resort, which costs 40 euros (about $47) each way. Given this extra expense, I’d recommend setting aside a single afternoon and evening for that visit if it’s of interest.

The property is about a five-minute walk from a public beach area and a handful of beach bar-style restaurants, but don’t expect much nearby in the way of convenience stores, pharmacies and the like.

This resort is the fourth Marriott-affiliated property on the island of Crete and the first JW Marriott. It’s the second near Chania (the first being Domes Zeen Chania, a Luxury Collection Resort, Crete).

How to book

Over the next six months, nightly rates at the JW Marriott Crete start as low as $343, or 44,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

Guests hoping to use points and miles to book the JW Marriott Crete have a few options.

The simplest way, of course, is to use Marriott Bonvoy points in your account. Personally, I earn the bulk of my Marriott points through purchases charged to the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees), which has also been a big help in boosting my Marriott Bonvoy elite status. The card has a $95 annual fee.

You can also transfer credit card rewards at a 1:1 ratio from a handful of major programs, including:

When booking the JW Marriott Crete, you’ll want to use a credit card that earns the most points for Marriott stays, as well as one that possibly offers automatic Bonvoy elite status for value-added benefits. These include:

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Platinum Elite status and 25 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Gold Elite status and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® Credit Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Gold Elite status and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Gold Elite status and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Silver Elite status and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn 3 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Silver Elite status and 5 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.

The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Bottom line

There’s a reason why the JW Marriott Crete appeared on TPG’s list of most anticipated hotel openings in 2025, and this property delivers on that excitement with its shimmering infinity pools, direct access to the Aegean Sea and incredible mountain views. As the service and amenities fully ramp up in the coming weeks and months, it’ll be an enticing option for any traveler looking to redeem points in the Greek islands.

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