St. Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas
Proof that traditional luxury beach resorts will never go out of fashion, St Nicolas Bay is ideally situated on the peaceful eastern side of the island, between Agios Nikolaos and Elounda, and boasts breathtaking views of Mirabello Bay.
Authentic and tasteful, the resort could pass for a traditional Cretan village, with its low-rise white buildings, low stone walls and warren of lanes running down to a main pool and private sandy beach.
Charming rooms and suites offer simple luxury coupled with modern technology and state-of-the-art amenities. All are individually designed to maximise space, comfort and those hypnotic sea views, and all have private verandas for enjoying breakfast outside. Many also boast private pools and there are two- and three-bed suites for families of different sizes.
Breakfast is served among the ancient olive trees, looking out at the calm sea and the ridges of distant mountains. For lunch, pull up a chair at the Blue Bay restaurant or Bonasta Jetty Bar, both overlooking the beach. For dinner there’s a generous buffet restaurant and two à la carte options: The Minotaure, a fine-dining restaurant serving an excellent mix of international and Asian cuisine, with tables set around a purpose-built pool; and The Greek Kafenion, a lovely spot by the chapel overlooking the sea serving traditional Cretan dishes.
Additional facilities include a large outdoor freshwater pool, a watersports centre, the Poseidon Spa complete with Turkish steam baths and indoor heated pool, morning and evening yoga, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, a kids’ club and games room as well as a dedicated Teenagers Club, plus an on-site art gallery and Cretan artefacts museum. Guests can enjoy jogging routes through the expansive olive tree grove and explore the beautiful herb gardens, while for those wishing to explore further afield, the hotel can assist with organising a range of outdoor activities and excursions, such as hiking, cycling, and historical sights, providing an opportunity to discover the natural beauty of Crete.
