The latest news from the best design hotels in Crete, greece
We are pleased to be working with bluegr Hotels & Resorts, including the design-focused Cretan properties Minos Beach Art Hotel and Minos Palace Hotel & Suites. Read on for the latest news from these properties ahead of the 2022 season beginning in April.
Minos Beach Art Hotel - Crete’s original design hotel
Minos Beach Art Hotel is a five star luxury hotel, located on the edge of Mirabello Bay in Agios Nikolaos, Crete, and the island’s original luxury design hotel since its inception in the 60s. Today it’s a chic, minimalist retreat celebrating Cretan art and design in relaxed surroundings. The 2022 season begins on 15th April 2022.
Design & ethos
The property has been designed to honour a connection to mother nature and the spectacular natural setting of the bay. Accommodation is spread across 112 contemporary whitewashed bungalows and suites, and 14 spacious villas with private pools, scattered within the aromatic gardens of this seafront property, stretching along 2.5km of coastline. The low-rise architecture creates a sense of privacy and serenity, and echoes the architectural style of eastern Crete’s fishing villages. The hotel has become a cultural beacon for the local community with its valuable collection of contemporary art, containing seminal works by Greek and international artists on display throughout the hotel and its Sculpture Garden, an installation akin to an open-air art museum, with over 40 individual pieces of art in the grounds. Notable works include the underwater sculpture “Lost Ears of Agios Nikolaos” (2016) by Kostas Ioannidis; “The Painful Pyramids” (1993) by Magdalena Abakanowicz; and “Image in Matter and Prosthesis” (1990) by Rena Papaspyrou.
Food & drink
Three restaurants offer an abundance of Greek and Cretan cuisine, overseen by award-winning chef Giannis Baxevanis. “La Bouillabaisse” serves creative Mediterranean dishes in a refined mezze format, and is the place for more formal fine dining. “Bacchus” is the buffet restaurant with live cooking stations, and “Terpsis” offers a wonderful Cretan menu in a laid-back al fresco setting. With a focus on farm to table cooking and in line with the hotel’s focus on sustainable hospitality practices, much of the produce is sourced from trusted local suppliers in and around Agios Nicolaos, including the majority of the wines that come from excellent local vineyards and wineries.
A plethora of bars provide the perfect spot for every mood and occasion. “La Cave de la Bouillabaisse is the contemporary seafront wine bar serving Cretan, Greek and international wines alongside expertly paired nibbles, while “Pure Lounge Bar” is the place for beachfront coffee, cocktails, soft drinks and chilled music. “Dionyssos Bar” is the elegant, cocktail lounge bar with sandy lounge and bonfire, and the “Ibiscus Poolside Bar” offers a refreshing escape from the summer heat. “Adeste” is the traditional Cretan kafeneio, serving local mezze, raki, ouzo, and strong Greek coffee.
To do
Guests can enjoy two private blue flag-awarded beaches, and plenty of safe sea swimming platforms around the bay edge, just steps from your room. There’s also a seafront palm-tree-fringed freshwater swimming pool. Other facilities include the Ananea wellness centre offering fully equipped gym, yoga classes, treatments by Aegeo Spa, tennis court, bicycles, and the certified Pelagos diving and watersports centre.
NEW for 2022
The property’s newest accommodation is the two-bedroom maisonette with private pool. Spacious, calming interiors, private pool and dazzling views of Mirabello Bay make this a wonderful retreat for families or friends. Modern, elegant minimalist design spans two king bedrooms, lounge, two bathrooms and the spacious private outdoor area. Sleeping areas are situated on two separate levels to offer extra privacy. Nightly rates from 1,175 Euros, based on four sharing, including breakfast.
Two new wellness retreats: “Aligning with your Karma”, 30th May - 4th June - a transformative retreat to enhance and nourish the individual through community, nutritious food and Tantric teachings; and “The Multi-Faceted Female in Ancient Greece”, 10th - 15th October - a deep-dive into Greek history and myth encompassing interactive lecture and debate, visits to archaeological sites and everyday food experiences with local women to learn how cooking is an art handed down over centuries.
Brand new treatment menu at Aegeo Spa, inspired by a voyage through Greece past and present. Treatments include “Cretan Flair”, a cleansing, detoxifying body treatment using Cretan herbs Dictamnus and sage; and the “Holy Grail” facial, using avocado from Chania and Cretan olive oil to revitalise and moisturise. The signature treatment, “Minoan Culture” is 120 minutes of pure bliss, incorporating masks made with local herbs and essential oils for the body and face. A deep, therapeutic head-to-toe massage uses a Cretan olive-oil base infused with raki and orange extract.
Nightly rates at Minos Beach Art Hotel start from 261 Euros, based on two sharing a Sea View Bungalow, including breakfast. The Villas at Minos Beach Art Hotel start from 887 Euros for a One Bedroom Villa with Private Pool and from 2,980 Euros for a Three Bedroom Waterfront Villa with Private Pool. www.minosbeach.com
Minos Palace Hotel & Suites - adults only luxe
With a spectacular seafront location near the picturesque towns of Agios Nikolaos and Elounda, the five star, adults-only Minos Palace is rightfully regarded as one of the best hotels in Crete. Amidst minimalist surroundings and beautifully landscaped grounds on a private peninsula, this adults-only hotel resembles an island-within-an-island, with 360 degree sea views. The 2022 season begins on 20th April 2022.
Design & ethos
Eastern and Western influences blend in perfect synergy at Minos Palace, to create a positive, holistic and restorative experience. Within the property are spaces for meditative relaxation and silent zones for tranquil quiet reflection throughout the Cretan gardens. The 121 rooms and bungalows, and 28 suites with private and shared pools provide private accommodation, designed with earthy, neutral tones and conscious materials to blend seamlessly with the surrounding nature.
Food & drink
Guests of Minos Palace are treated to the best Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, fusion mixology and healthy beverages, across two restaurants and three bars, overseen by award-winning chef Giannis Baxevanis. “Amalthea” serves Greek and Mediterranean cuisine in a refined yet casual setting, surrounded by a 360 degree sea view. “Inblu” is the all-day lounge and restaurant, serving traditional Cretan and Greek a la carte and tasting menus in an al fresco setting. The poolside “Bacchus Lounge Bar” and the beachside “Island Bar” serve cocktails, snacks and healthy, light meals all day long.
To do
Listen to the sound of waves and kick back on the pristine, private Blue Flag awarded sandy beach or take a dip in the stunning freshwater swimming pool. To encourage true relaxation, the wellness experience at Minos Palace is based on a holistic connection between body, soul and the environment. Offering signature body and mind healing programes, yoga, meditation and pranayama practices, and seasonal retreats and treatments, the hotel also puts focus on cultivating relaxation and wellbeing through local craft. Classes in Cretan pottery, loom weaving, olive oil and cheese making and essential oils workshops with Cretan herbs are all offered. There’s also a tennis court, volleyball court, a PADI certified diving centre, fitness centre and a green outdoor gym.
NEW for 2022
There are several new accommodation options at Minos Palace, including:
- One-bedroom Infinity Blue Suites. Located on the upper floor, these spacious infinity blue suites consist of 46 sqm of living space, making them the perfect base for an extended stay. Each suite features a private balcony with panoramic sea views, one bedroom, living area and large walk-in-shower. Nightly rates from 308 Euros, based on two sharing, including breakfast.
- Junior Suites with private pool. On the ground floor, these stunning suites with private pool provide 38 sqm of living space and feature one bedroom, living area and walk-in-shower. Each junior suite has direct access to a private swimming pool with deck and lounging area for enjoying those endless summer days. Nightly rates from 379 Euros, based on two sharing, including breakfast.
Three new wellness retreats: “Sound Bath Retreat”, 21st - 22nd May - a gentle, yet powerful, deeply-immersive full-body listening experience where guests are “bathed” in therapeutic sound waves by healing instruments including the Tibetan singing bowls and crystal bowls, the gong, the drum, the monochord, energy chimes, and voice; “Resilience and the life-giving energy of classical Pilates”, 28th May - 1st June - discover the energy which underpins the genius of the Classical Pilates Matwork Repertoire with Classical Pilates Instructor, Mentor, & International Presenter Katharine Jemmett; and “Summer Detox Retreat”, 2nd - 6th June - gather a clearer understanding of your body’s needs as you work towards improved sleep, reduced stress, a boosted immune system and more through specially designed nutrition, yoga and exercise.
A new Herbal Garden has been planted, a charming spot to relax and enjoy the scent of lavender, mint, thyme, honeysuckle, basil, clove and many more plants and herbs with aromatic qualities or health benefits.
Nightly rates at Minos Palace Hotel & Suites start from 205 Euros, based on two sharing an Upper Deck Sea View Room, including breakfast. www.minospalace.com