OK!’s Zoe Cripps checks in to a harbourside hideaway on the Aegean coast with plenty to write home about
Picture white-washed walls with vivid purple bougainvillea climbing all the way up and the distant sound of harbour boats bobbing around in the crystal clear waters. Sound too dreamy to be true? Mirabello Bay, on the east coast of Greece’s island of Crete, really is like something off a postcard.
WHERE TO STAY
The five-star Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay Hotel sits right on the water and offers stressed-out guests a haven of tranquillity where they can recharge and unwind. With 343 rooms and suites, you can choose your level of luxury.
Treat yourself to a maisonette, where the views of the harbour and semi-private pools will make you want to head straight out into the sun for morning coffee on the terrace.
THE GROUNDS
Taking a stroll around the complex, I could see just how large it is. There are volleyball beach courts, two private beaches, a harbour, 11 restaurants and bars, four outdoor pools and a fitness centre. If you’re on a family holiday, the hotel is unveiling a new waterpark this season that will provide hours of fun for kids.
I made a beeline for the Mirabello Spa where there are several treatment rooms, an impressive hammam, a tea lounge, a sauna and a jacuzzi. I opted for a 50-minute anti-stress body massage and found bliss as I took a whiff of the lavender-scented oil.
EATING AND DRINKING
Meal times were the highlight of my stay. The Amalthea main restaurant has a breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet and serves a mix of local and international delicacies. Elia (Greek for olive) has an à la carte menu featuring Cretan delights like grilled octopus and stuffed vine leaves.
I loved the Marina Yacht Club, which is set on the harbour and is the perfect spot for sunset drinks. With a chilled glass of rosé (if you’re booking as an all-inclusive guest, you can get as many of these as you want), I would watch the boats come back in to dock and wondered if anyone would notice if I just sneaked into one so I could stay forever.
ZOE’S TOP TRAVEL TIPS
Fancy learning to cook like a local? Just next door to the hotel is an olive oil
