Ikos Kissamos

Far more than just a place to rest your head, here rooms are your personal retreat. When you need to escape the sun – or recharge your social battery – you’ll be doing it in style. From the luxe touches and fluffy bathrobes to the comfy beds and the mini bar restocked daily as if by magic, it’s the perfect setting for an afternoon siesta. Or a doom-scroll – no judgement here.

Foodies, this one’s for you. The main restaurant is a buffet, but it’s a world away from the usual spread. Live cooking stations plate up à la minute dishes from around the world that’ll have you heading back up for seconds. The à la carte offering delivers in spades, too. Choose from Italian, Asian, Peruvian, Cretan, French, and Mediterranean. What a mouthful – literally.

Four bars make light work of coffees and cocktails. There’s the lobby bar that’s open til late, the breezy vibes of the beach bar, and the laid-back pool bar scene – including one bar exclusively for Deluxe Collection guests. Expect fine wines, premium beers, and expertly-mixed cocktails. And all delivered to your sunbed. Pure bliss.

Beachfront is always best in our book. And with a spot right on Kissamos Bay, with a front-row seat to the Cretan Sea, consider that box well and truly ticked. From building elaborate sandcastles with your bucket and spade to cooling off in the azure waters, you’ll have no trouble whiling away an afternoon – or several – on the shoreline.

Luxury isn’t just for grown-ups. And you’ll soon see they’ve factored the kids in in a big way here. The creche runs three daily sessions, welcoming tots aged six months to four years. The Heroes Kids’ Club takes over for the cohort aged 4-12, with arts and crafts, singing, and games, while Just4Teens deals in activities for the too cool for school 12+ crowd.