The Nest Resort

Set amid rocky cliffs overlooking the sea, the Nest Resort is an elegant refuge on Crete’s northern coast. It’s not as flashy as some of the island’s other resorts; there’s no private beach or fine-dining restaurant. But the guest rooms and villas, each with a private pool, are the embodiment of quiet luxury.

The architectural style is modern with cubist-inspired wood, glass, and concrete buildings neatly built into terraced gardens on the hillside. The color palette is earthy inside and out: lots of blonde wood, pale stone, and bright white. Accommodations are evenly divided, with nine rooms in varying categories and nine private villas. All are light-filled and refreshingly minimalist, though artisan-crafted objects, vintage pieces, and colorful bathroom tiles add character. Most have water views. Villas have two to four bedrooms, open-plan kitchens, and spacious terraces with their own pools.

The resort’s main pool, with its sweeping views of the Aegean and an all-day bar and café offering poolside dining, is a highlight; an ethereal indoor pool, dramatically illuminated and framed by botanical murals, awaits at the spa.