Crete, Greece
Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa
Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa is an adults-only retreat in Crete where lagoon pools, overwater bungalows and beautifully cohesive design create an experience that feels entirely its own. Water defines the resort from the moment you arrive. A network of lagoon-style pools runs between low-rise buildings, crossed by timber walkways and edged with private terraces. Rather than placing one conventional pool at its centre, Stella Island allows the water to shape the entire property, creating changing views and a close connection to it throughout the day. The result is polished and immersive, with the atmosphere of a far-flung hideaway while remaining conveniently close to Heraklion. There is plenty happening across the resort, yet it rarely feels necessary to follow a schedule. Days settle naturally into swimming from the terrace, finding a quiet poolside corner, enjoying a long lunch and returning to the water as the light begins to soften. para-2 Accommodation is closely woven into the pool landscape, with contemporary interiors, private outdoor space and a strong emphasis on the relationship between each room and the water. Even the more straightforward categories look towards the pools, while selected rooms add private wellness features for a more indulgent stay. Swim-up rooms capture the spirit of Stella Island particularly well, placing the lagoon immediately beyond the terrace so the water becomes part of the room experience. They are an excellent choice for guests who want direct access to the pool while remaining connected to the wider atmosphere of the resort. The overwater bungalows create a more distinctive sense of escape, sitting above the lagoon with private decks and a greater feeling of separation. Selected options add an outdoor Jacuzzi, bringing another layer of privacy to one of the hotel’s most recognisable settings. For guests who prefer a more self-contained stay, the private-pool villas provide additional space and seclusion without losing the visual connection to the resort. Across the collection, the strongest categories are defined by how they use the water, whether through direct lagoon access, an elevated overwater position or a pool of their own. para-3 Dining is spread across several restaurants, giving each evening its own character. Kimata is the main restaurant, set beside the pool and wooden deck, with international buffet dining, show cooking, seasonal fruit and a generous selection of desserts. La Parilla, Oceania, Umami and Vegera provide alternatives to the main restaurant, allowing guests to vary the setting and style of dinner throughout their stay. Mediterranean and Cretan flavours form part of the wider offering, grounding the experience in the island while leaving room for a broader international range. Paraiso offers a lighter option during the day, while Cabana Bar keeps drinks and snacks close to the pool. Its position makes it an easy place to pause without stepping away from the water-led atmosphere that gives Stella Island its identity. Themed dinners and live music add interest after dark, but dining never feels detached from the rest of the resort. Water, open-air terraces and carefully lit walkways remain part of the evening, allowing the mood to change without losing the sense of place established during the day. para-4 The lagoon pools naturally command attention. Swim-up terraces, overwater decks and poolside loungers create several ways to spend the day, so guests can choose between the privacy of their accommodation and the more sociable shared areas without moving far from the water. A private beach area adds a different pace, with complimentary sunbeds and umbrellas provided. The sandy shoreline is approximately 300 metres from the resort, close enough to move easily between sea and pool while allowing the hotel’s enclosed lagoon setting to retain its own distinctive atmosphere. There is plenty for guests who prefer a more active holiday. Tennis, cycling, mini golf and watersports are available alongside aerobics and organised fitness sessions. Bicycle and car hire provide further scope for exploring the surrounding coastline and villages independently. The hotel also has a sociable side, with live music, themed evenings and entertainment bringing energy to its central spaces after dark. The adults-only setting keeps the mood grown-up, making it possible to enjoy the livelier elements without losing the polished character of the wider resort. para-5 The spa provides a cooler, more enclosed counterpoint to the brightness and openness of the pools. An indoor pool, sauna, hammam, steam room, hot tub and relaxation lounge create a complete wellness setting where guests can spend considerably more than the length of a single treatment. Therapies range from massages and facials to body scrubs, wraps, light therapy and beauty rituals. Spa packages allow for a more considered programme, while treatments can be combined with time in the thermal facilities for a restorative afternoon away from the sun. The fitness centre is supported by yoga, group exercise and TRX sessions at different levels of difficulty. Personal training is available for guests seeking a tailored routine, giving the active offering more depth than a conventional hotel gym. para-6 Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa is located in Analipsi on the north coast of Crete, approximately five kilometres from Hersonissos, 300 metres from the sandy beach and 15 kilometres from Heraklion International Airport. Airport transfers, shuttle services and car hire are available, while the position combines a self-contained resort atmosphere with straightforward access to the surrounding area.
From £190 per night
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