CAYO Exclusive Resort:: Bank holiday bliss in Crete

Overlooking the stylish Elounda Bay in Crete, design-led boutique hotel, CAYO Exclusive Resort & Spa, will reopen for summer on May 1 2022.

Located on the island’s rugged north-eastern coast, travellers are invited to take advantage of the back-to-back UK bank holidays in May and June with an experience-fuelled four-day break encompassing cuisine, culture, history, and wellbeing.

DAY 1 – Pure bliss by the water

Start off on the right foot with a luxury suite, complete with sea views, sun terrace, and private plunge pool. Enjoy an afternoon of relaxation by the water – either by your own private pool, CAYO’s grand infinity pools or on a private seafront spot on Plaka Beach. Grab a nutritious smoothie at Enastron Bar or a fresh salad from Stone Beach Club, CAYO’s buzzy beach hangout, before heading to Armonia Spa. The Spa features indoor pool, hammam and sauna, plus three treatment rooms. Choose a Hydra Facial which uses a combination of avocado from Chania and Cretan olive oil to soothe tired skin, or a signature Cretan massage that uses olive oil, raki and orange extracts to tone the skin.

DAY 2 – Get to know Crete’s legendary history

Situated 250 meters from the charming village of Plaka, where a pretty pebbled beach is lined with artisan workshops and traditional tavernas, CAYO offers prime access to some of Crete’s most famous attractions. A short boat ride from CAYO takes guests to Spinalonga Island, a candidate for the UNESCO World Heritage. Here, travellers can explore the island’s history and diverse architectural heritage, comprising of Minoan, Hellenistic, Venetians and Ottoman influence. History buffs shouldn’t miss the archaeological site of Knossos, Crete’s largest, dating back to the Bronze Age, and Knossos Palace, a symbol of Minoan civilisation and former residence of King Minos. The tales of the Labyrinth with Minotaur and Daedalus and Icarus are believed to have taken place here.

DAY 3 – Culinary journeys

Setting the bar high for Crete’s culinary scene, CAYO is home to four restaurants, each with a menu curated by Lefteris Lazarou – the first Greek chef to be awarded a Michelin star. After a morning spent sunbathing or hiking in the surrounding hillside, savour Crete’s classic dishes, such as handmade Skoufichta Pasta or Sarikopitakia (a mouth-watering cheese pie fried in olive oil and served warm with a drizzle of honey) at one of the local beachfront tavernas. As the sun sets, enjoy an Aperitivo at CAYO’s Emerald Bar. The Greek Spritz is a local twist on the famous Italian drink, with Mastiha, Otto’s Athens’s vermouth, and pink grapefruit soda.

The skilled chefs at Kelari offer an elevated dining experience inspired by traditional Greek recipes. Try the Seabass with artichoke cream, carrot puree and mussels or choose from meat-based delicacies like the Oxtail beef pasticcio. Finish the meal in traditional fashion with an Anthotyro cheese mousse on barley rusk, garnished with mini tomatoes preserve and strawberry sorbet.

DAY 4 – Shopping in Agios Nikolaos

A cosmopolitan resort, Agios Nikolaos is home to a bustling marina, quaint houses, food markets and a host of local shops selling the perfect souvenirs. Framed by three lush hills and the famous Voulismeni Lake, the town allows visitors to stroll its streets between a visit to a local museum and snacks at a traditional café. Back at the hotel, enjoy a meal on the sun-kissed terrace of Sage & Thyme, the hotel’s Mediterranean restaurant serving soul-nourishing salads and oven-baked pizzas. When it’s time to check-out, private airport transfers to Heraklion airport can be arranged, ensuring the trip back home is as seamless as the rest of the stay.

Platinum Jubilee Weekend Offer – To celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, CAYO Exclusive Resort & Spa offers a 15% early booking discount for all stays between May 1 and June 10, 2022 (booking window 1-30 April) for minimum stay of 3 nights. The offering includes a 15 minutes free massage for one person at Armonia Spa, a £25 (30€) resort credit to be used once per stay, for dinner in Kelari Gourmet Restaurant (prebooking reservations are required) . It also includes complimentary room upgrade (subject to availability- Villas & premium rooms excluded), complimentary HB basis for the first child (2-12 years old) for reservations booked on HB basis, early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability). T&Cs apply. For further information, kindly visit www.cayoresort.com