Cultural Crete


The largest island in Greece, Crete is renowned for its pin-up beaches, wild natural beauty, exquisite cuisine and thousands of years of culture and history


STAY


ABATON ISLAND RESORT & SPA Abaton Island Resort & Spa is a low-lying, all-white building on the north coast of Crete. You’ll discover five restaurants to keep you busy, and a host of dazzling bedrooms mostly with sea views. There are plenty of chances to make a splash in the pools, whether you opt for a room with a private jacuzzi on the deck or retire to the curvy communal pool at the heart of the resort with stunning views, especially at sunset. There is an Elemis spa with a Turkish bath, nail bar and tempting treatment list, plus a personal trainer is on hand in the gym. www.abaton.gr |€€€€


DOMES NORUZ Adults-only multi-awarded Domes Noruz is not only a point of reference when it comes to boutique luxury accommodation, it can also be your starting point for a series of excursions to nearby sights, from the multicultural Chania to the wild beauty of


144 | SPRING 2022 | ONBOARD


Samaria Gorge! With beachside exercise areas, beanbag loungers and a restaurant serving lashings of healthy food, casual cool permeates this hip hotel, whose domed architecture is inspired by Chania’s Venetian shipyards. Facilities include two large pools and a pretty spa. It is along a quiet lane just off the old national road between Chania and Kissamos. The car park is small (but there’s plenty of parking space close by along the seafront). Chania’s Venetian harbour, labyrinth of shopping streets, covered market and museums are 4 km away. The pink sand beach of Elafonisi is 71 km away. www.domesnoruz.com | €€€€€


KAPSALIANA VILLAGE HOTEL This beautifully renovated cluster of stone village houses, which once belonged to Arkadi monastery, is a blast from Crete’s rural past, but with plenty of modern trimmings. High in the hills it’s surrounded by mature gardens and centred around a good-sized pool. A raised terrace (once the centre of the village) is now the restaurant’s grape-vine shaded terrace, where low stone walls are embellished with big pots of pickled olives and macerated fruit; the monastery’s olive mill is now a small museum. www.kapsalianavillage.gr | €€€€


BLUE PALACE The Cretan Sea, swirling around the relics of Spinalonga, dominates the horizon views from this white-washed resort. Comfortable rooms offer simple modern style, you can lounge on the private beach or gaze over the edge of the infinity pools. Five restaurants ensure you are kept well- fed. Though there is clearly an effort to maintain the traditional at Blue Palace (mosaics, rough-hewn brick walls, orange- red shades), there’s a contemporary verve in huge chandeliers, curvy divans and inviting infinity pools. Olive and palm trees dot the landscape and buildings are slung low, allowing them to blend into their surroundings. At the shore, which you can reach by a funicular relaxation is almost mandatory. www.bluepalace.gr | €€€€€


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