The story
The concept comes from Vaggelis Tsourlakis, who the hotel describes as envisioning a retreat where guests step away from the everyday. The setting does the heavy lifting: ancient olive groves in the Rethymno countryside, looking out toward the Mediterranean, roughly 8 km (5 mi) from town.
Forty-seven accommodations range from Superior Suites with a shared or private jacuzzi to two-bedroom villas and maisonettes, many with private pools and some with side sea views. The wellness centre anchors the operation — sauna, fitness room, a heated outdoor pool with a bar, a full massage menu including couples' treatments, and yoga classes. One Greek restaurant handles breakfast, continental or buffet.
Being a first-season opening, expect a team still settling in, and note this is inland: the nearest beach, Adelianos Kampos, sits 2.6 km (1.6 mi) away, and Rethymno's Venetian Harbor is 10 km (6.2 mi). A worthwhile bet for travellers who came to Crete for quiet, not the coast road.
