Minoa Palace Resort, Platanias (Crete)

Minoa Palace Resort - A luxury 5-star beachfront hotel with private pools, Cretan cuisine, and spa facilities

Minoa Palace Resort, a 5-star property in Platanés, features elegantly appointed rooms and suites with private pools, marble bathrooms, and furnished balconies overlooking the Aegean Sea or White Mountains. The resort includes four restaurants, such as Galazio, serving organic Cretan dishes like signature Cretan Dako with barley raks and Mizithra cheese, and Thalassa, located on the beach. Guests can enjoy a traditional Greek coffee at Kafeneion or participate in cooking classes and wine tastings. Leisure facilities include a spa with hydrotherapies, a fully equipped gym, tennis courts, and bike tours. The Imperial Beach Wing offers direct sea-view accommodations with private pools. Minoa Palace Resort is 18.5 miles from Souda and 0.5 miles from Gerani Beach.

Pros

Private outdoor pools with sun loungers in select suites and bungalows.

Multiple dining options featuring organic, locally sourced Cretan cuisine.

Spa facilities include a heated indoor pool, hamam, and signature treatments.

Proximity to beaches and landmarks like Gerani Beach (0.5 miles) and the Folklore Museum of Agia Marina (1.5 miles).

Cooking classes and wine tastings highlight Cretan gastronomy.

Cons

The hilltop location may require transportation for exploring nearby areas.

Some rooms lack sea views, facing gardens or pools instead.