Waking up to absolute silence, peace and tranquility is the general theme at Minos palace hotel and suites. This is in part due to the stylish, muted surroundings - the hotel has won multiple awards for the clever eco-vibe interiors - and the gentle, subdued service but also the fact there are no children. This is an adults only hotel and you really feel it. Ideal for singles and couples, the rooms feel very private and the team behind this super chic hotel have created secluded retreat moments all over the grounds. Loungers perched on rocks and secret hammock nooks are perfect for sundowners and snoozes.
There are rooms for every taste but the Infinity Blue Junior Suites with plunge pools are a Glamour favourite. Each room comes with a small living area and secluded terrace with an almost-private pool (you share with a neighbour). Pre breakfast and moonlight dips with a view of the Med are a must.
There are three different restaurants all with completely unique vibes, our favourite is the local-feeling Inblu, right on the seafront. Perfect for late lunch or dinner, the menu of classic Cretan and Grecian dishes with a chic twist is really special. The wine selection is also surprisingly interesting with plenty of local options. Try Scalarea, a delicious dry white wine from Crete.
For more relaxed beach vibes, there is the ocean front Island Bar serving lounger lunches and beers. One of the things we loved about Minos Palace was the amazing selection of sunlounger spots! Carefully positioned all over the shoreline, hidden amongst rocks and slotted into alcoves, find a different spot daily and enjoy their lounger-service straight from the Island Bar menu.
Great for a full week but ideal for long weekends - flights from London take just under 4 hours - you can split your days between the beachside bar and the glass like infinity pool. This really is the centrepiece of the hotel along with Bacchus bar. Perfect for a daytime poolside refresher with a tailored cocktail menu, or equally fun for live music and a digestif at the end of the evening. The late night alfresco beats are ideal for a wind-down nightcap. The hotel is on a private peninsula near the town of Agios Nikolas and Elounda so if you do fancy a trip out, there is life beyond the hotel. Equally if you don’t have a very good reason to leave the quiet of Minos Palace, then we suggest you don’t!
Bed and breakfast from 253 euros per room, per night.
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One of the first hotels on the island, Minos Beach art Hotel is sister hotel to Minos Palace hotel and suites and they are literally a stones throw from one another. So if you don’t fancy child-free vibes and would like a little more space, this is perfect.
Minos Beach art hotel is more sprawling than Minos Palace so golf carts are the main mode of transport. The clue is in the name but you will find unusual art at every turn here, from sculptures to graffiti-style murals, it’s a really nice touch and feels very unique. Rooms in the main hotel are close to everything with quick, easy access to the main pool but the Seaview Bungalows are particularly special. They feel like mini villas and are super private, perfect for two. You have a bedroom/living area plus a cute terrace for sundowners. You even have allocated sun loungers on the shoreline so you can come and go as you please. The bungalows are scattered all along the waterfront and amongst the lush grounds where the delicious scent of the perfectly landscaped vegetation is amazing. You really feel like you are staying in a remote Cretan village. In addition to the bungalows, there are few even more private options including 2 and 4 person villas with plunge pools, great for families.
There are several restaurants to choose from all featuring locally sourced produce and mostly classic Cretan and mediterranean cuisines. Our favourites were Terpsis for lunch and Bouillabaisse for balmy evenings. As the name suggests there is a French twist and the food is amazing. If you fancy getting off the island the water sports centre hires out self drive boats, jet skis and paddle boards. The boats are really easy to drive, snorkelling adventures on the shores of the uninhabited local islands are a must. There is a lot of choice at Minos Beach so you can easily stay for a week without leaving the hotel, maximum chill.
Bed and breakfast from 360 euros per room, per night.
