"If you're looking for an adults-only resort that combines luxury, incredible food and genuinely caring staff, look no further than Stella Island in Analipsi, near Hersonissos on Crete.
We've visited a few times over the years and every time the resort manages to raise the bar. From the moment you arrive, the design sets the tone: clean white lines, warm wood accents, water everywhere. You enter the main building via a wooden walkway over the pool, it immediately puts you in holiday mode. You are invited by a guest relations member to check-in via your phone, and while you sort that out, you're welcomed with a drink (tip: install the "Stella Hotels Collections" app beforehand, you get your login code during the check-in and then you are good to go to book the restaurants and activities). Before you know it, a friendly staff member brings you and your luggage to your room with a golf cart.
The Room: Overwater Nest
This time we stayed in one of the newer room types, the Overwater Nest. What an interesting concept, it felt like pure luxury from the moment we walked in. Beautifully designed, spacious, and with fantastic amenities. The resort offers a wide range of room types these days: from pool view rooms to swim-up rooms, overwater bungalows and the jaw-dropping grand overwater bungalows (think Maldives, but in Greece!) and rooms for 4 and 6 are on their way we heard. Each type has its own charm. With the swim-up rooms you get a private deck extending over the pool with sunbeds; with a pool view room, there are always plenty of sunbeds available around the central pool. This time we had our own on our Nest deck (with 2 loungers, seat, umbrella and jacuzzi)
Pool, Spa & Atmosphere
Being adults-only, the vibe around the pool is wonderfully relaxed: perfect for reading, napping, or just soaking up the Cretan sun with subtle lounge music in the background. The bar staff deserves a special mention: they bring drinks to your sunbed throughout the day, always with a smile. We had a few rainy days during our stay, which was a bit unlucky, but even then the resort keeps you comfortable, and it made the sunny moments all the more enjoyable.
There's a well-equipped fitness room (I peeked in but won't pretend I used it 😉) and a spa with a beauty salon. We tried the couples aromatherapy massage and we will be back next time, so relaxing!
The Food, where Stella Island Truly Shines
This is where the resort really stands out. Chef Giorgos is nothing short of a magician. With top-quality ingredients, he and his team create dishes that are genuinely memorable. And the offering keeps growing, there are now SEVEN (!) restaurants:
Kimata, the main restaurant, offers a buffet with live cooking. Forget the usual big-tray buffet: here it's all about small, freshly prepared portions, continuously replenished. The all-inclusive wine is perfectly fine, but do treat yourself to something from the wine list (some excellent Cretan wines to discover). And save room for dessert: the patissier deserves a standing ovation.
And then there are the themed à-la-carte restaurants (reservation required), each one is an experience in itself:
Oceania focuses on fish and seafood, set on the first floor of the main building with a gorgeous view and a retractable roof for warm evenings. Beautiful setting, outstanding food. (no worries for the non-fish-eaters, there are meat options)
Parilla is meat heaven. The steak tartare, prepared tableside, is a real showstopper. Ask the captain for a Cretan red wine pairing (they do it by the glass), you won't regret it.
Vegera brings authentic Cretan cuisine in a traditional setting. Generous is an understatement, come hungry! They also host a weekly Greek Night with traditional Greek dancing and meat from the typical antikristo.
Umami offers Asian-inspired fusion dishes such as sushi, robata and many more. A must.
Paraiso doubles as a South American restaurant and the resort's entertainment hub, the "Party Garden." Think themed nights, their own show team with original shows, the famous White party and visiting acts.
And then the newest addition: Isla, which initially opened for lunch and just started serving dinner during our stay. We were lucky enough to be there on its very first dinner evening. Fully in line with the other à-la-carte restaurants: a beautiful setting, delicious food and wonderful, caring staff. A great addition to an already impressive lineup.
During our stay the new ice cream/pastry stand also opened next to the Makuti bar, I had to force myself to pass only once a day, the icecream and sorbet is made in house and tooooo delicious! Every day they also have 3 different pastries, to die for!
For lunch, you can go to Kimata (buffet), Parilla (Italian touch), Vegera (authentic Cretan taverna) and Isla (fresh sushi, steak,… you name it, they got it)
Entertainment & Surroundings
In the evening, the lounge bar and pool bar offer a lovely atmosphere, with live music on the terrace several nights a week. We also enjoyed strolling to the little village of Analipsi, about 15 minutes along the seafront, for a coffee or some souvenir shopping. For more serious shopping or nightlife, Hersonissos is a short taxi ride away.
The Details That Matter
The entire resort is spotlessly clean, and you can tell the team takes real pride in keeping it that way. If you ever need anything, reception and guest relations are always available and genuinely eager to help.
Bottom Line
Even with a couple of rainy days thrown in, we had a fantastic time. The combination of a stunning setting, luxurious rooms, world-class food and, above all, staff who truly care, makes Stella Island something special. We're already counting down to our next visit."
