Overlooking the stylish Elounda Bay in Crete, design-led boutique hotel, CAYO Exclusive Resort & Spa, will reopen for summer on May 1st, 2022. Located on the island’s rugged north-eastern coast, travellers are invited to take advantage of the back-to-back UK bank holidays in May and June with a revitalising and experience-fuelled four-day break encompassing cuisine, culture, history, and wellbeing.
Pure Bliss by the Water
Start your weekend in Crete off on the right foot and check-into your luxury suite at CAYO, complete with sprawling sea views, sun-soaked terrace, and private plunge pool. Clear your mind with an afternoon of relaxation by the water – either by your own private pool, CAYO’s grand infinity pools or on a private spot on Plaka Beach – a practice proven to soothe the soul and invigorate the body. Grab a nutritious smoothie at Enastron Bar or a fresh salad from Stone Beach Club, CAYO’s buzzy beach hangout, before heading to Armonia Spa. Enabling guests to disconnect from the outside world and re-connect with themselves, Armonia Spa features indoor pool, hammam and sauna, plus three treatment rooms where guests can indulge in rituals inspired by ancient Greek wellness practices. Choose a Hydra Facial which uses a combination of avocado from Chania and Cretan olive oil to soothe tired skin, or a signature Cretan Massage that uses olive oil, raki and orange extracts to tonify the skin and improve its appearance.
Get to Know Crete’s Legendary History
Situated in the charming village of Plaka, where a pretty pebbled beach is lined with artisan workshops and traditional tavernas, CAYO offers prime access to some of Crete’s most famous attractions, a tapestry of beaches and hilly landscapes. A short boat ride from CAYO takes guests to Spinalonga Island, one of Crete’s most prominent archaeological sites. Here, travellers can explore the island’s history and appreciate its diverse architectural heritage, comprising of Minoan, Hellenistic, Venetians and Ottoman influence. History buffs shouldn’t miss the archaeological site of Knossos, Crete’s oldest and largest archaeological site dating back to the Bronze Age, and Knossos Palace, a symbol of Minoan civilisation and former residence of King Minos. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in the iconic surroundings of the palace, where ancient myths, like the tale of Theseus and the Minotaur, are believed to have taken place.
Culinary Journeys
Setting the bar high for Crete’s culinary scene, CAYO is home to four restaurants, each with a menu curated by Lefteris Lazarous – the first Greek chef to be awarded a Michelin star. After a morning spent sunbathing or hiking in surrounding hillside, epicures can savour Crete’s classic dishes, such as handmade Skoufichta Pasta or Sarikopitakia (a mouth-watering cheese pie fried in olive oil and served warm with a drizzle of honey) at one of the local beachfront tavernas. As the sun sets, enjoy an Aperitivo at CAYO’s Emerald Bar – the Greek Spritz is a local twist on the famous Italian drink, with Mastiha, Otto’s Athen’s vermouth, and pink grapefruit soda – before heading to the hotel’s gourmet restaurant, Kelari. Using the finest locally sourced ingredients, the skilled chefs at Kelari offer an elevated dining experience inspired by traditional Greek recipes. Try the zesty Seabass with artichoke cream, carrot puree and mussels or choose from meat-based delicacies like the Oxtail beef pasticcio. Finish the meal in traditional fashion with an Anthotyro cheese mousse on barley rusk, garnished with mini tomatoes preserve and strawberry sorbet.
Shopping in Agios Nikolaos
A resort of cosmopolitan beauty, Agios Nikolaos is home to a bustling marina, quaint colourful houses, food markets and a host of local shops selling the perfect souvenirs to bring back home. Framed by three lush hills and the famous Voulismeni Lake, where according to Greek mythology goddesses Athena and Artemis used to bathe, the town invites guests to stroll its streets between a visit to the local museums and snack at a traditional café. Back at the hotel, enjoy a meal on the sun-kissed terrace of Sage & Thyme, the hotel’s Mediterranean restaurant serving soul-nourishing salads and oven-baked pizzas. When it’s time to check-out, private airport transfers to Heraklion airport can be arranged, ensuring the trip back home is as seamless as the rest of the stay.
Platinum Jubilee Weekend Offer
To celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, CAYO Exclusive Resort & Spa offers a 15% early booking discount for all stays between May 1st and June 10th, 2022 (booking window 1-30 April) for minimum stay of 3 overnights. The offering includes a 15 minutes free massage for one person at Armonia Spa, a 25£ (30€) resort credit to be used once per stay, for dinner in our Kelari Gourmet Restaurant (prebooking reservations are required), a complimentary room upgrade (subject to availability- Villas & premium rooms excluded), a complimentary HB basis for the first child (2-12 years old) for reservations booked on HB basis, early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability). T&Cs apply. For further information, kindly visit www.cayoresort.com
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About CAYO Exclusive Resort & Spa
CAYO Exclusive Resort and Spa opened in August 2020 with a unique, terraced architecture inspired its historic locale. Each luxury room and villa boast private plunge pools and panoramic views over the ocean and Spinalonga islet – a UNESCO World Heritage List nominee. Guests can take advantage of world-class wellness in the Armonia Spa, dine at four gastronomic restaurants, with menus curated by Chef Lefteris Lazarou, the first Greek Chef to be awarded a Michelin Star, explore hidden coves on boat trips or snorkel the bay of Mirabello in search of marine life.
For more information, visit www.cayoresort.com or follow @cayoresort Instagram
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