Minos Beach Art Hotel spreads low across two kilometres of Mirabello Bay shoreline near Agios Nikolaos, whitewashed bungalows and villas set among rock, sand and a permanent sculpture collection.
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.
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.
Dyo Beach Suites sits directly on the sand at Misiria, east of Rethymno: a small collection of one-bedroom apartments, several with private pools, breakfast carried to your terrace each morning.