All hotels 27 stays

Pnoe Breathing Life sits above the coast at Karteros, an adults-only resort where every room comes with its own private pool and the service, by all accounts, does the rest.

NEMA Design Hotel & Spa is an adults-only five-star on Analipsi Beach Road in Hersonissos, part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, working a dark, contemporary palette against the Cretan light.

The Tanneries Hotel & Spa occupies four conjoined 1800s tannery buildings on the Tabakaria waterfront near Chania, 20 suites strung along the water inside a Design Hotels member.

Maison Meltem is an eight-room adults-only bed and breakfast above Agia Pelagia, where the whole building faces the Aegean and breakfast is served under olive trees.

King Minos Retreat rises amphitheatrically up a green hillside above Crete's north coast, its Cretan-style stone buildings and garden bungalows arranged for sea views, some with private pools.

Minos Palace Resort occupies its own peninsula above Agios Nikolaos Bay — an adults-only address on the Cretan coast where a dark-bottom freshwater infinity pool opens onto Mirabello Bay.

Elèa Concept Hotel & Suites is a 15-suite property in Kato Gouves, built around an outdoor infinity pool and a garden, with a range of layouts from balcony suites to three-bedroom apartments.