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The story of The Tanneries Hotel & Spa—a sleek 20-room hotel set directly on the sea in Chania, Crete—begins with an idea to transform four 19th-century tanneries into a hotel that honors the area’s rich history. The original character of the buildings was preserved wherever possible, including in the facade, roof tiles, floors, and ceilings. From there, the hotel was brought to life following a philosophy that prioritizes sustainability and community engagement. By repurposing original materials and promoting eco-friendly practices, The Tanneries strives to keep its impact low while enhancing the experience for guests. This concept is made clear in its seafood-focused Periplous Seaside Restaurant, which places “nativeness” above all else. All fish served come from the waters around Chania, and most meat products are local, as well. The wine list offers mostly local and Greek wines, and 80% of the olive oil used is self-produced. The hotel’s commitment to community engagement can be seen in its curated local activities, which include guided tours of neighborhood highlights and interactions with local tanners and other artisans.
The hotel is set inside four 19th-century tanneries that were preserved as much as possible. When additional stones were needed during construction, the team sourced recovered stones from deconstructed buildings in the neighborhood.
The hotel avoids heavily packaged products and produce. 30% of food waste goes towards feeding the chickens. Waste is separated by the restaurant and housekeeping and is recycled at the end of each day.
The Tanneries uses water-saving taps and a high-efficiency dishwasher and washing machine. Filtered tap water is available for guests to refill their bottles. There are no green spaces or flowers that require water.
LED lighting is throughout the hotel. A heat recovery system is used in the air conditioning to heat the water in the boilers. Ventilation engines in the bathrooms are set to timers and turn off during the night.
The overall concept is “nativeness.” The fish served in the restaurant comes exclusively from the local waters around Chania. Local meat, wine, and other ingredients are also served. Local amenities are offered in the guest rooms.
The Tanneries offers guided tours of neighborhood highlights and interactions with local tanners and other artisans. The sommelier connects guests with the local wineries in the Chania region.
The activity program includes sustainable outdoor activities like yoga, horse riding, sailing, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding.
The hotel works with local companies that use electric vans and cars and offers guests traveling in the same direction the opportunity to share a vehicle. The hotel has accessible rooms and meets accessibility requirements.
We spoke with the team at The Tanneries Hotel & Spa to learn the latest on the hotel’s conscious journey.
We believe that hospitality is more than just providing a comfortable stay; it’s about creating authentic experiences that connect our guests to the local culture and environment. Our hotel seamlessly combines modern design with elements of the past, offering a serene retreat where guests can relax and rejuvenate while enjoying the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Our philosophy focuses on sustainability and community engagement. By repurposing original materials and promoting eco-friendly practices, we strive to minimize our environmental impact while enhancing the experience of our guests. Our dedication to the local culture is reflected in our curated activities, from guided tours of nearby attractions to connections with local artisans.
We organize walking tours in the neighborhood to promote the remaining tanneries and the tanners who are still active and passionate about their craft. Additionally, our sommelier connects our guests with the local wineries in the Chania region. We also collaborate with two ceramic professionals, arranging visits, tours, and lessons at their studios.
Emissions from air conditioning, water heating, apparel washing, and cooking procedures are a challenge. To help reduce our impact, we have purchased high-efficiency appliances.
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