VISIT CRETE, THE SUNSHINE ISLAND RELAX AND BOOK ONE OF OUR GREAT HOTEL DEALS
CRETE IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO ESCAPE, WHETHER YOU WANT A ROMANTIC BREAK OR A HOLIDAY WITH THE FAMILY. W&H’S EMMA JUSTICE REVIEWS DAIOS COVE, PLUS CHECK OUT OUR TWO GREAT HOTEL DEALS
AKING UP, STROLLING THROUGH THE BALCONY DOORS AND PLUNGING INTO YOUR OWN PRIVATE INFINITY POOL FOR A QUICK MORNING DIP IS AN EVERYDAY O OCCURRENCE AT DAIOS COVE.
THIS FIVE-STAR RESORT HOTEL ON THE N NORTH EAST COAST OF CRETE, NEAR AGIOS N NIKOLAOS, HAS 300 ROOMS, SUITES AND V VILLAS SPREAD ELEGANTLY OVER A PRIVATE BAY. DESIGNED SO THAT ALL OF THEM
HAVE A STUNNING SEA VIEW (AS WELL AS RAINFOREST SHOWERS AND MASSIVE BEDS), THE HOTEL IS A PEACEFUL OASIS WHERE THE SUN SHINES FROM MARCH/APRIL THROUGH TO EARLY NOVEMBER – BY FAR ONE OF THE LONGEST SEASONS IN THE MED.
MINIMALIST IN DESIGN, WITH PLENTY OF BILLOWING WHITE CURTAINS AND COOL MODERN ART IN THE FOYER, YOU COULD ALMOST BE IN IBIZA – BUT CRETE IS KNOWN MORE FOR ITS ANCIENT MINOAN HISTORY THAN ITS CLUBBING.
THE BEAUTY OF DAIOS IS THAT, DESPITE ITS SIZE AND THE FACT IT’S PERFECT FOR FAMILIES, YOU’LL NEVER HAVE TO FIGHT TO GET A LOUNGER AROUND THE POOL. WHY? BECAUSE THERE’S MORE THAN ENOUGH SUNBATHING SPACE FOR GUESTS OVER FIVE LEVELS, WITH A FUTURISTIC GLASS FUNICULAR CONNECTING THEM.
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BAY THERE’S A PRIVATE SANDY BEACH COMPLETE WITH SMARTLY DRESSED BEACH BOYS WHO HAND OUT ICED TOWELS AND/OR COCKTAILS AS
THE DAY HEATS UP. THERE’S ALSO A LARGE ADULTS-ONLY POOL, AS WELL AS ONE FOR KIDS. THERE’S ANOTHER INDOOR POOL IN THE FABULOUS SPA, WHERE TREATMENTS, FROM REJUVENATION MASSAGES TO
MARINE MINERAL FACIALS, ARE SO GOOD WE BOOKED IN FOR MORE THE NEXT DAY.
EVERYTHING HAS BEEN THOUGHT OF AND THE SERVICE IS WARM AND FRIENDLY. IN FACT, IT WOULD BE EASY TO SPEND A WEEK HERE AND NOT LEAVE AT ALL – BUT IF YOU DO THERE’S PLENTY TO SEE A SHORT DRIVE AWAY. FROM THE FASCINATING MINOAN RUINS AT KNOSSOS AND THE BYZANTINE FRESCOES IN THE VILLAGE OF KRITSA, TO THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM IN HERAKLION. VICTORIA HISLOP FANS WILL BE FASCINATED BY SPINALONGA, THE LAST 20TH-CENTURY LEPER COLONY, WHICH IS JUST OFF THE COASTLINE AND FEATURED IN HER BESTSELLING NOVEL The Island.
THE RESORT BOASTS FOUR RESTAURANTS, THE BEACH OR OCEAN BAR FOR BEACH OR
POOLSIDE SNACKS, THE RUSTIC TAVERNA WITH A FABULOUS MENU OF DELICIOUS MEZZE – AND A TRADITIONAL GREEK NIGHT ONCE A WEEK – AND PANGEA FOR MORE INFORMAL BUFFET-STYLE DINING. DON’T MISS PRE- OR POST-DINNER COCKTAILS IN THE ELEGANT BAR, CRYSTAL BOX, AT THE TOP OF THE HOTEL WITH WONDERFUL VIEWS OF THE GLITTERING BAY BELOW.
Sovereign (01293 765 003, sovereign. com/hotel/118431) offers 7-night holidays to the five-star Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas on a half-board basis, from £1,049 per person – saving up to £995 per couple. The offer includes a welcome gift, €20 dining credit per adult towards an à la carte dinner, one complimentary room service breakfast in bed, UK airport security fast passes and access to N°1 Lounges (where available), private airport transfers and return international flights from London Gatwick with easyJet.