Minos Palace Hotel & Suites

The spectacular Mirabello Bay on the northeastern coast of the island of Crete is the setting for Minos Palace Hotel & Suites, an unapologetically high-end boutique-style resort whose peninsula location gives it sea views in just about every direction. The private-island illusion is only heightened by the fact that it’s an adults-only hotel; even though it’s just a mile outside of the seaside town of Agios Nikolaos, it achieves a laid-back tranquility that’s reminiscent of some much more secluded hotels.

Its visual language, on the other hand, keeps things lively, with a healthy mix of natural materials, traditional craftsmanship, and contemporary design. A wide variety of accommodations are available, from double rooms to the Waterfall Suite, with its own private pool; some look across the water back towards the island and the town, while others face directly out into the open Mediterranean.

Terraces or balconies are universal, and there are plenty of common spaces from which to enjoy the views, perhaps none more impressive than the spectacular infinity pool. Breakfast, too, is served with a view, from the terrace of the Amalthea restaurant, which is open again for dinner; Inblu is the all-day restaurant, and it’s joined by the Bacchus Lounge Bar and the beachside Island Bar.