I’ve just returned from a very relaxing break with my partner, to this delightful boutique hotel, located a 10-15 minutes’ walk from Aghios Nikolaos, or a quick taxi ride of 5 euros. It’s approximately an hour from Heraklion Airport. The hotel’s Cretan style one storey bungalows and villas are set in lovely gardens, that host 45 works of Greek and foreign artists. My favourite piece was the “Ropeman”, a statuesque character made from rope, who is heaving a ship’s mast on his shoulder. Other works are just as creative and add a certain touch to the hotel.
The ambiance here is casual, staff are helpful and the closeness to the sea makes up for the two small beaches. I preferred to swim straight from our waterside bungalow, enjoying the privacy and comfort of the reserved sun beds on the paved terrace. The sea is crystal clear and the views from the small peninsula, where the hotel is located are fabulous. There’s a choice of accommodation, from garden bungalows to waterside suites, some with private pools.
There’s also a great choice of cuisine. The main restaurant where we took breakfast and dinner offers quite exceptional international dishes. The German chef works his culinary magic on fresh sumptuous local produce, to produce quality dishes. There’s also an award winning a la carte restaurant and a typical Greek Taverna.
For sports enthusiasts, there’s a variety of water sports, a large swimming pool, tennis and a small fitness centre housed in the Hotel’s spa, where I sampled a body scrub and massage.
In the Minos Beach, you can enjoy a taste of luxury and privacy, without feeling cut off from the delights of Cretan society. Nearby Aghios Nikolaos is a thriving port in its own right with a community that welcomes visitors and provides excellent shopping, a weekly market and a fine selection of restaurants, and bars. For a younger age group, there’s plenty of nightlife. We enjoyed an evening stroll to the town, and forfeited dinner on several occasions to sample the local cuisine and atmosphere.
Just 10 minutes by taxi from the hotel, is the small port and town of Elounda, famed for its five star properties and if you can remember as far back as the 60s, the popular series “Who pays the Ferryman”. You can also visit the small island, and former leper colony, of Spinalonga from Elounda or Aghios Nikolaos, also made famous by “The Island” an engrossing novel by Victoria Hislop.
After a holiday at the Minos Beach Art Hotel, I could understand why so many guests return here again and again – it just grows on you.