St Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas 

An inviting oasis of Mediterranean luxury and style

Set amid peaceful, leafy gardens, this sought-after spot overlooks one of Crete’s finest bays and makes an excellent base for exploring the island

One of Crete’s most coveted hotels, St Nicolas Bay occupies a secluded position in pretty citrus gardens overlooking Mirabello Bay. It’s luxurious yet comfortable, tranquil yet close to vibrant ‘Ag Nik’, and typically Greek on the outside with pristine white exteriors, while the interior is modern and stylish. By day, laze on the private sandy beach before taking a dip – there are steps straight into the sea – and by night, sip cocktails on a jetty over the water while tapping your toes to live music.

Why we love St Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas

  • It’s located in a peaceful spot overlooking the glistening Mirabello Bay, with Agios Nikolaos a seven-minute drive away.

  • It’s ideal for families, with protected, shallow waters on the private sandy beach, a kids’ club with an outdoor nature play area and a teens' games room.

  • The Poseidon Spa has an impressive range of facilities -including thalassotherapy pools and Turkish steam baths - with treatments using Elemis and Cinq Mondes products.

  • There’s a great dining scene with five restaurants, two bars and live music every night, while cultural excursions are on hand if you’re wanting to explore beyond the resort.

5 stars
May - Oct
Crete
4 hours
In a secluded beachfront setting overlooking the Mirabello Gulf, within walking distance of the harbour town of Agios Nikolaos
Approx. 45-minute transfer from Heraklion airport
Beach, Activities, Watersports, Suitable for children, Kids club, Villas

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St Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas

From £1,749 per person

  • tick7 nights
  • tickClassic Double Side Sea View
  • tickHalf Board
  • tickFly with easyJet from London Gatwick
  • tickFlights available from other UK airports- contact us for further details
Based on selected June 2024 departures

Rooms

Facilities

  • Restaurants & bars
  • Board
  • Spas & wellness
  • Activities
  • Diving & Watersports
  • Sustainability
  • Children
  • Golf
  • Good to Know

You’ll find five restaurants serving a diverse range of cuisine here, from Cretan specialities to seafood fresh from the bay. There’s also a lively entertainment programme with live musicians from across the island, and the Bonatsa Jetty Bar is an idyllic spot for sundowners above the water.

The Club House
Indulge in a bountiful buffet breakfast on the terrace here, with magical views over Mirabello Bay and a smorgasbord of freshly baked breads and local specialities.

Labyrinthos
Watch the sun set over the bay of Agios Nikolaos from this elegant spot, which serves buffet-style dinners with an open kitchen and terrace for al fresco dining.

Minotaure
Tuck into seafood, salads and sushi by the pool at this atmospheric spot, ideal for romantic candlelit dinners under the stars.

The Greek Kafenion
Head here for authentic Cretan dishes, freshly-caught seafood and barbecues on the beach, with live music and traditional Greek dancing once a week.

The Blue Bay
Mediterranean and Asian dishes are the order of the day at this elegant spot, washed down with cocktails and Champagne.

The Astra Bar Veranda and Lounge
Watch the sun dip over the horizon with your favourite drink in hand while listening to live piano music at this upscale lounge bar.

Bonatsa Jetty
Sip a cocktail on a jetty over the water at this idyllic spot, accompanied by chilled-out music when evening falls.

We especially love The Greek Kafenion for its authentic Cretan dishes, lively beach barbecues and weekly Greek music and dancing.

What's included

Half Board • Breakfast at the Club House • Dinner at Labyrinthos

Upgrade options

Half Board Dine Around • Breakfast at the Club House • 3-course dinner at a choice of à la carte restaurants (drinks not included)
Full Board • Breakfast at the Club House • 3-course lunch at the Blue Bay • Dinner at Labyrinthos (drinks not included)

The Poseidon Spa here is impressive – there’s a thalassotherapy pool tucked into a cave, a private stone suite with its own Jacuzzi, a beauty salon, Turkish steam baths, saunas and several treatment rooms among the facilities. Therapies are by Elemis and Cinque Monde therapists, with anti-ageing, skincare and other programmes on offer, alongside fresh seawater treatments for head-to-toe rejuvenation. You’ll also find a semi-open air gym and a peaceful area for yoga.

There’s a big focus on art and culture at the resort, with a ‘Cretan Museum’ displaying regional crafts, an annual exhibition in summer and an on-site gallery showcasing paintings by famous Greek artists. You’ll also find a number of private excursions available; sail to the mystical Spinalonga Island, visit a local winery or get cultural with a visit to the Minoan Palace of Knossos.

If you’re looking for adrenaline, head out on a banana boat ride, Jet Ski or waterskiing lesson from the watersports centre, or paddle out on a canoe for a calmer amble around the coast.

The hotel has a handful of eco-concious programmes and iniatives including the use of solar panals to provide 15% of their electrical needs and the use of only locally sourced building materials. They exclusively work with local farms and companies to source their produce with seasonal flavours very much a focus throughout the restaurants; some of the produce is even grown at St Nicolas Bay's own organic gardens. They've been awarded the Green Key Award, which rewards the commitment to looking after the environment, and a Blue Flag certification which highlights their focus on the aim to retain the high quality and cleanliness of the beach and seawater.

There's a supervised mini club for ages 4-11 (open 10.30am-1pm and 2.30-6.30pm except Sundays from May to October) where activities like arts and crafts, team games, treasure hunts, puppet show take place. There's an outdoor nature play area and a games room for teens. Kids' under four can use the kids' club facilities but need to be supervised by an adult. But it's more about enjoying time as a family here, with kids' menus and high chairs provided in all restaurants (except Minotaure), a protected sandy cove and shallow waters ideal for little ones, and plenty of interconnecting rooms as well as spacious family suites and villas.

30 minutes drive from Agios Nikolaos is the Crete Golf Club – an 18-hole course.

Minimum stay: 4 nights (7 nights for stays 11 Jul-21 Aug).

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