Best food & drink

1. La Bouillabaisse

Minos Beach Art Hotel’s signature fine-dining restaurant is a must. One evening, we treated ourselves to a lobster feast in three courses: tartare with pink grapefruit and fermented chicory, crispy lobster claw beignets, and a perfectly grilled tail drizzled in garlic–cumin cream, accompanied by a rich lobster bisque. The variety of mushrooms with Parisian gnocchi was another standout, delicate and earthy, paired beautifully with a chilled Assyrtiko. It’s elegant without being fussy, and the service is warm and intuitive.

2. Terpsis Restaurant

For a leisurely lunch, Terpsis was our go-to. Perched right on the waterfront, it’s the perfect spot to linger over shared plates. We loved the Greek cheese salad with fresh pear, and the delicate arancini served alongside warm, pillowy focaccia. Between dips in the sea and sips of iced coffee, it became a ritual we looked forward to every day.

3. Bacchus

The hotel’s main restaurant strikes a more casual note. Breakfasts here were a daily highlight: creamy Cretan cheeses, local thyme honey and sweet kalitsounia pastries, alongside eggs cooked exactly as I liked them. In the evenings, the à la carte menu far exceeded our expectations with refined takes on traditional Cretan dishes — think deconstructed moussaka and golden baklava ice cream.

Stay

Minos Beach Art Hotel’s beautiful collection of bungalows and villas sprawl along the 2km coastline, blending into the natural landscape. Our beachfront villa was everything we’d hoped for and more. Waking up to the sound of gentle waves just steps from our door was heaven. The interiors are minimal but warm – white walls, natural textures, and soft linens – allowing the uninterrupted sea views to take centre stage. We spent afternoons reading on our private terrace before slipping into the water for an impromptu swim with the brightly coloured fish that darted around the shoreline.

For a special occasion or if you’re holidaying in a group, book the three-bedroom waterfront villa with a private pool. The separate living room has a home cinema and large dining table and, I think, the best views on the island.

Explore

When we weren’t soaking up the peace of the resort, we ventured out to discover the beauty of eastern Crete. Agios Nikolaos is the pretty coastal town, just a 5-minute drive away, and is alive with cafés, bars and gelaterias. The bay of Elounda is also worth exploring with its luxury hotels and bars – ideal for a sundowner or two.

Minos Beach Art Hotel can also arrange a range of experiences – from art tours of the sculpture garden, curated by the G & A Mamidakis Foundation, to olive oil tastings at local groves and private boat trips to explore the tiny islands off the coast, including Spinalonga with its historic fortress.

For adventure lovers, book the Richtis Gorge guided hike via the hotel. Between Agios Nikolaos and Sitia, the 3km hike wends through verdant landscape along the river and ends at a beautiful 20-meter waterfall.