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KATHRYN WILLIAMS relaxes amid the luxury surroundings of Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa, Plaka, on the island of Crete
WHAT’S THE VIBE
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Cayo screams stylish, chilled-out luxury where you can escape the rush of everyday life and forget the outside world.
The hotel was designed by Italian art director and designer Gian Paolo Venier and the 74 luxury rooms and six villas nestle into the Cretan mountainside.
With an eco-conscious remit, Cayo respects its surroundings. The buildings use a state-of-the-art heat recovery system, taking heat from the air conditioning units and using it to warm the rooms and the water of the main hotel.
So, while you’re sipping on a cocktail in your room’s infinity pool, you can be even more relaxed because your holiday is eco-considerate.
STYLE
Chic, elegant and modestly sized, the resort never feels overwhelmed with visitors, you won’t have to wonder why Cayo includes ‘Exclusive’ in its name.
All the rooms and villas have east-facing sea views, ensuring sunrise views from the poolside or tucked up in bed enjoying a coffee from your own coffee pod machine.
All the rooms and spaces at Cayo are designed to have natural light pouring into them and it really makes the most of incorporating those wonderful views around the bay with carefully placed picture windows dotted around the bar and reception spaces.
From most of those points you can see the island of Spinalonga.
The eco-friendly resort has plans to build a farm-to-table restaurant on a segment of land in front of the hotel. It already uses produce from its farm in the established restaurants on site.
FOOD AND DRINK
With three on-site restaurants, two bars and just a short walk away, the Stone Beach bar & restaurant, Cayo keeps you well fed, you can even book cooking lessons. Another bonus is that all the menus are curated by Lefteris Lazarou, the first Greek chef to be awarded a Michelin star.
The main hotel restaurant is Ambrosia, which serves a classic buffet at breakfast and dinner.
As you’d expect, each night’s dinner changes and on the Saturday night we stayed there was a Greek-themed night with traditional food (gyros, moussaka and the like) and dancing to keep you entertained while you sipping cocktails from the Enastron bar. Breakfast is also fresh and as light and healthy, or indulgent and filling, as you like. Ambrosia also catered for my gluten intolerance with special pancakes or toast, when requested. Gourmet restaurant, Kelari, has dreamy dishes like slowcooked lamb and seabass with sea urchin in a menu which takes Greek cuisine up a level. And on the shore, the Stone Beach House treats you to Greekstyle tapas and private parasols and sunbeds – saganaki (cheese pastries) and Greek salads, right on the beach.
You won’t have to wonder why Cayo has ‘Exclusive’ in its name
SPA
I enjoyed an hour-long massage at one of the Armonia Spa’s three treatment rooms. The Indonesian-inspired suite has a large indoor pool, steam room and sauna, and while I took advantage of the relaxation suite, I was unable to use the indoor facilities due to Greece’s Covid restrictions.
Hopefully by next season those beautiful facilities will be used to their full potential by guests.
WHAT TO DO
Pop to Spinalonga island. You have to, you’ll get up and look at it every day from your balcony or from the poolside bar. A stone’s throw away from the Plaka waterfront, Spinalonga is a former leper colony with a turbulent history, passing from Venetian to Turkish to Greek rule among others over the centuries. Explore the ruined Venetian fortifications on the island, which is hoping to be considered as a UNESCO world heritage site. It’s also the setting for the bestselling Victoria Hislop book The Island.
Also nearby is Elounda, a busy and pretty port with plenty of little shops, bars and cafes, worth a stroll around, for sure.