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.
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.
Seaside A Lifestyle Resort sits on the cliffs above Agia Pelagia, an adults-only address in Crete where terraces step down towards the water and every room faces either the land or the sea.
NIKO Seaside Resort MGallery sits on the waterfront at Agios Nikolaos, an adults-only address of 137 rooms and suites, most with their own plunge pool, looking out over Mirabello Bay.
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.
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.