I packed Victoria Hislop’s The Island for a trip to Crete without giving it much thought. It wasn’t until my second morning at Phaea Blue, gazing across the bay, that I learned the novel had been inspired by Spinalonga, the tiny island sitting directly opposite the hotel.
Later that afternoon, book in hand, I settled onto the hotel’s private beach and began reading while looking out at the very place that inspired the story. It felt like a fitting introduction to Crete. I was on a five-day trip, getting to know three very different sides of the island while staying at three SLH properties. As Greece’s largest island, it takes days, if not weeks, to reach beneath the surface of Crete – from its traditional mountain villages to its miles of beaches and port towns like Chania and Rethymno. And with hotel seasons now stretched until November, you can take it all in during more mild temperatures and reduced crowds.
Each hotel brought a certain side of the destination into view. Over the following days, we discovered a Crete rooted in history and storytelling, another immersed in village life and local traditions, and a third dedicated entirely to wellbeing and restoration.
Phaea Blue photographed by Lavinia Cernau
For history, food and authentic Greek hospitality: Phaea Blue
Perched on Crete’s serene northeast coast, Phaea Blue feels inseparable from its surroundings. Looking out across Mirabello Bay towards Spinalonga, the island’s history is ever-present. One of the highlights of our stay was boarding the hotel’s traditional caique and sailing past Spinalonga before arriving at the secluded island of St Fokas for a barbecue lunch by the sea. Fresh seafood, local ingredients and endless shades of blue made it one of those quintessential Greek summer moments.
Back at the hotel, Greek feasts continued at the hotel’s more refined Anthós Restaurant and the Blue Door Taverna, serving cherished family recipes in a former fisherman’s cottage on the waterfront. As part of SLH’s Considerate Collection, Phaea Blue’s commitment to local culture runs throughout the experience. Over 85% of the team is recruited locally, with programs like Phaea Farmers empowering staff to cultivate and sell their own organic produce.
A pool at Manili Boutique Suites
For immersing in local culture: Manili Boutique Suites
Away from the coast and set within the village of Archanes, Manili Boutique Suites immerses guests in everyday Cretan life. Rather than feeling removed from the destination, you’re right in the heart of it, surrounded by local cafés, family-run tavernas and centuries of history. Scattered throughout the village, the suites feel like a natural extension of Archanes itself, while rooftop hot tubs offer sweeping views of the surrounding mountains.
During our visit, we enjoyed a wine tasting with local producer Minoterra, a fitting introduction to one of Crete’s oldest winemaking regions. Creator, writer and fellow traveller Chris Marshall noted that our time at Manili Boutique Suites had an “authentic feel of living in a town and becoming a small addition to its community”.
Stay here if you prefer wandering village streets to lounging by the beach and want a deeper connection to the island’s culture and traditions.
Acro Suites is built into the rocky cliff in northern Crete 
For wellbeing and inspiring design: Acro Suites
Set atop the dramatic cliffs of Crete’s northern coastline, Acro Suites combines striking architecture with a strong focus on wellbeing. Earthy tones, sculptural design and sweeping sea views create an immediate sense of calm. Part of SLH’s Wellbeing Collection, the hotel is designed around restoration, with guests spending their days moving between private pools, the spa, the Asana Yoga Shala and the Asana Fitness Club. A morning Pilates class quickly became one of the highlights of my stay.
While Crete offers endless opportunities for exploration, Acro Suites is the kind of place that encourages you to slow down and simply be. It’s also worth noting that the hotel is adults-only, to facilitate a certain atmosphere for those seeking to reconnect with their mind and body.
