If you’re looking for a unique place to stay on Greece’s largest island of Crete, then we know where you should be heading. Just a 40-minute drive from the capital of Heraklion, past exceptional vistas and countless churches, Minos Beach Art Hotel is a little slice of paradise that’s ready to welcome you with open arms.

You might also like our full guide to the very best boutique hotels in Greece.

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

A review of Minos Beach Art Hotel

Minos Beach Art hotel restaurant
Enjoy breakfast at Bacchus Restaurant

Part hotel/part open-air gallery, design lovers will discover sculptures and works of art by international artists from the moment they enter the gates at this stunning hotel. The architecture here is designed to sit low within the site and stretches over two beaches with the stark white of the 100+ suites and villas contrasting superbly with the crystal clear water and seemingly endless blue skies.

We were lucky enough to be upgraded to a One Bedroom Villa with Private Pool and as the club car drove us to our accommodation, the fragrance from the immaculately kept gardens blended with the inviting scent of the sea, setting the scene for a blissful escape.

The room

The Villa was perched right by the beach so we could easily take to the scattered loungers around the coast and follow the sun along the way. Inside, Mediterranean minimalism greeted us with little pops of pattern in the soft furnishings giving character to the spaces.

The pool deck was where we spent most of our time with a generously sized swimming pool and comfy reclining loungers allowing us to switch into holiday mode pretty quickly. We even had a little ginger and white cat swing by from time to time to check on us and give us the quintessential Greek experience.

I was hoping for some big comfy robes to cuddle into during the stay, but was met with a scratchy towelling variety. However, at night, the sound of the waves lapping against the beach was heavenly, and this coupled with a large comfy bed made for a wonderful night’s sleep.

The food situation

Minos Beach Art Hotel room service
Indulge in a wonderful selection of dishes crafted from local ingredients

Upon check-in, you’ll be shown how to download the hotels app which is really useful for perusing menus, checking what’s on around the hotel, and even offering playlists for different times of the day (we liked the Infinity Pool Mini Mix). It’s also how you order room service, something I’d definitely recommend. We indulged in a wonderful selection of seafood and cheeses on our first night, the food showcasing just a sliver of what was to come.

Breakfast is a buffet affair fit for Bacchus himself. Of course the Greek yoghurt was divine (and thick) and the homemade jams in every fruit imaginable added a touch of sweetness. Fresh fruit, endless pastries (both sweet and savoury), and daily changing egg dishes and cakes will keep you full all day long. Don’t miss out on sampling the range of smoothies made with local ingredients. My favourite was blended almond milk with tahini and Cretan carob – divine.

Things to do

Minos Beach Art Hotel sculpture
Contemporary works of art by global artists are waiting to be discovered

Be sure to give yourself some time to explore the 40 pieces of art that are dotted around the entire property. From exceptional static sculptures to kinetic pieces and even some works that sit by the ocean, these creations from international artists are a delight to behold.

The swimming pool sits at the heart of the property with plenty of seating to go around. A small but well formed gym gives you a place to work out and there’s even a diving shop right next door should you want to learn to scuba dive, rent a boat or even take to the beach on a pedalo.

Decadent Ananea Wellness by Aegeo Spa offers a range of treatments to help you relax, incorporating natural ingredients like lavender, seaweed, and olive oil.

Out and about

We enjoyed a trip to the Cretan Olive Oil Farm, just a short walk from the hotel and an afternoon exploring the nearby town of Agios Nikalaos, including visiting the lake where Athena used to bathe under the moonlight.

One final thing that needs to be shouted about at Minos Beach Art Hotel is the exceptional service. Friendly faces greet all guests at every interaction, with the team only too happy to help answer any questions. They are the very definition of what excellent service looks like and a credit to the management.

I’m still dreaming about our stay, and would go back in a heartbeat.

Discover more about Minos Beach Art Hotel or Book through Booking.com

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