Being the largest and most populous Greek island, Crete often perplexes tourists in terms of where they should be staying. If you are looking for a wellness retreat that is adults only and has won countless luxury hospitality awards, look no further than Minos Palace Hotel and Suites.
Hotel
The hotel opened in 1981 and has been widely regarded as the best hotel in Crete, but any cursory inspection of the hotel will not yield any 80s décor as this is an institution that constantly reinvents itself. The Cretan design focuses on natural elements that are sourced locally, with hanging basket chairs, bohemian candlelight holders and tasteful art pieces dotted throughout the reception area exuding a carefree island holiday vibe.
Set on a secluded peninsula with a divine infinity pool, the hotel looks more for the social media age rather than from a bygone era. Whatever angle you turn your head, you’re guaranteed to find stunning sea views.
If you start strolling through the carefully manicured garden lawns, it is deceptively easy to get lost such is the size of their property, but it will be a thoroughly soothing meander as you encounter their picturesque, rocky coastline. The only slight negative is if you want to head into town to Agios Nikolaos, it is marginally further out compared to their sister hotel, Minos Beach Art Hotel. Then again, they are aiming to be a luxury wellness resort where guests don’t necessarily want hectic trips into town.
Room
You suspect a Feng shui master might have consulted on the design of their 121 rooms and bungalows, and 28 suites with private and shared pools. Everything is effortlessly harmonised with the natural surroundings using local materials. The colour palette is on the sophisticated grey, olive wood spectrum giving a distinct sense of calm respite away from the Cretan afternoon heat.
Most of the rooms have been refurbished to a very high standard complete with USB sockets by the bedside and high-speed Wi-Fi even if you are out at your private pool. However, there is a small number of rooms still waiting to be refurbished, so do check with the hotel when booking.
Sustainability is a key consideration for the hotel. In the bathroom, you’ll find bio aroma bath products, which are local to the town. They offer shampoo and shower gel in readily bio-degradable pouches instead of the usual plastic bottles. Double vanities are available to ensure marital bliss during your adults-only retreat.
Food and drink
Food is something embraced with a passion by Cretans. Even at their ‘casual’ restaurant, Inblu, dishes are meticulously executed. The showstopping dish is the prawns with ouzo, which is cooked in front of guests on a heated stone with dry seaweed, ouzo, carob bread and fish roe salad.
Seafood is, unsurprisingly, a popular staple in both their restaurants but if you walk around their gardens, you’ll appreciate their garden-to-plate concept. All the herbs, garnishes and the like are more than likely to have come from their expansive garden.
Amalthea, the buffet restaurant with a unique 360-degree sea view, offers the best of Greek and Mediterranean cuisine and is included in the half board package. You might see local dishes like fish with lemon verbena sauce and zucchini stuffed with mincemeat and rice, but it is changed daily. Along with live cooking stations, this is not a restaurant where you’ll struggle to find options.
To do
The eye-catcher is the hotel’s easy-on-the-eye saltwater infinity pool. With sun-loungers and palm trees nestled a third of the way into the pool, this is THE picture postcard perfect shot to make your friends and enemies green with envy. The focus here is all about wellness so you can attend yoga and Pilates classes.
Cookery classes can be arranged where you can learn how to cook authentic Cretan cuisine and there are even eco-activities where you can go beach and coast cleaning. The hotel currently has an ornate spa treatment area but there are big plans to knock down an accommodation complex to make way for a brand new spa treatment centre.
In a nutshell
Do you want to visit a progressive adult-only wellness retreat? Do you want to enjoy some Cretan winter sun? Minos Palace Hotel and Suites is just the place you need to consider.
Factbox
Minos Palace Hotel and Suites, Agios Nikolaos offers rooms from 293 euros per night.
Address: Ammoudiou, Ag. Nikolaos 721 00, Greece
Phone: +30 2841 023801
Email: info-palace@bluegr.com
Website: minospalace.com
