KING MINOS RETREAT Resort & Spa

What guests say

• Reviewers repeatedly single out the staff for friendliness and helpfulness, describing service that goes beyond the routine throughout the stay.
• Guests praise the cleanliness and comfort of both the rooms and the pool area, a point raised again and again.
• The food draws consistent praise for quality and the range of Greek and international dishes, with breakfast scoring highly at 8.3.
• Several guests mention being upgraded to rooms with a private pool or Jacuzzi, a recurring happy surprise.
• The location earns positive notes for how close it sits to the beach.

Based on 285 guest reviews on Booking.com · July 2026 · Read all 285 reviews →

The story

Built to Cretan style and architecture, the resort steps up a planted hillside on the north coast, its main building holding Classic Rooms and Suites while bungalows sit scattered through the gardens. The hotel's own description pairs traditional island building with a contemporary minimalist aesthetic. Some of those bungalows come with private pools and outdoor Jacuzzis, and the gardens are described as colourful rather than manicured.

Across 212 rooms, the layout is designed around sea views from the hillside setting. Three dining options cover the day: a main restaurant serving Greek, local, international and European dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner; a snack bar; and an à la carte restaurant open evenings. The spa and wellness centre adds massage, a fitness room and an outdoor pool.

Star Beach sits 560 m (1,850 ft) away, with Golden Beach at 1.1 km (0.7 mi) and the centre of Hersonissos 1.9 km (1.2 mi) off. Heraklion International Airport is 22.5 km (14 mi). A member of GOLDEN Hotels & Resorts, it runs seasonally, roughly April to October.

The hotel in photos

The location