I stayed at the beautiful Greek hotels with private funiculars, secluded beaches and Maldives floating breakfasts
WITH my floating breakfast and infinity pool overlooking the ocean, I feel like I’m in the Maldives.
Yet I’m barely four hours from the UK, on the Greek island of Crete, where temperatures reach into the low 20s — and it’s only January.
My hotel, the Royal Senses Resort & Spa, is a masterclass in elegance — with the towering resort built into the mountainside.
Its main attractions are the two swimming pools, stretching 80m across the front of the resort.
And it is safe to say my attempts to get some laps in before breakfast were quickly left wanting.
Instead, I hopped into the heated pool just behind, which is popular with the younger guests if they’re not at the on-site splash park.
Live saxophonist
If you want some peace and quiet, tucked away on the other side of the resort is the adults-only luxury infinity pool, complete with mini hot tubs and curtained cabanas.
Despite the gym calling me after my failed swimming session, I headed to the hotel spa for a sleep-inducing massage, followed by a trip to the steam room and sauna.
The spa pool is worth a visit too. Half inside, half outside, it has muted pink tiles I want in my own bathroom.
When it comes to time to eat, there is a buffet — complete with a live saxophonist at breakfast — grill restaurants Mitato and the Michelin chef-run Cretamos.
After goat milk ice creams at the Platia pop-up restaurant and cocktails at the Euphoria pool bar, I very much needed the walk back up to my room.
The two-room suite, with sea views, had me feeling like I had stepped on to the set of Netflix’s Selling Sunset.
For an additional charge, you can request your own floating breakfast — something I couldn’t resist — and it came loaded with pastries, fruits, meats and cheeses.
Many of the smaller suites have their own pools as well.
The only thing the hotel is missing is the beach — but that’s where sister hotel The Royal Blue Resort comes in, which is just a short shuttle ride down to the coastline.
The best rooms in the house are the Blue Residence villas, which opened last year and are ideal for larger families.
Made up of a sprawling lounge and kitchenette, along with two bedrooms and three bathrooms, they have private balconies that wrap the length of the villa.
Of course they have their own swimming pools for a quick dip, but the only spot I wanted to be was the hotel’s secluded beach. No beaches on Crete are private, but this certainly felt like it was.
This resort is the smaller of the two but has plenty of dining options to keep you full. Symposium is where you can find breakfast and dinner, with similar options to its sister resort.
Seafood lovers can try the a-la-carte Asterias — serving everything from sea bream ceviche to grilled octopus — or the Mediterranean Elia (I’m still dreaming of the creamy duck risotto).
If you’re feeling pruney from all the pool and sea sessions, and want a touch of culture, then there are some great day trips to choose from.
A short taxi ride away is Margarites — a small village known for its ceramics — or Rethimno, a coastal city with Venetian architecture and trendy cafes.
But being in paradise with your feet in the pool and champagne in hand?
That’s worth the pruney toes.