Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas 

An exclusive retreat in northeastern Crete

Perched above a picturesque private cove, this luxury hideaway offers mesmerising views over the Mediterranean and a cool, sophisticated vibe.

It’s all about the cool at Daios Cove, with exceptional dining, trendy bars and a private sandy beach whose shallow waters are great for families. The infinity pool is surrounded by a sun terrace providing glorious views of the private cove, and there’s a funicular-style lift plus golf buggies to take you back to your room. Aside from the jaw-dropping setting and stunning rooms and villas, one of the real highlights here is the KĒPOS by Goco spa – a true wellbeing haven where the focus is on the six pillars of healing, with multi-day wellness programmes and signature spa journeys. Combine it with serene ocean views, a great kids’ club and a string of natural attractions on the doorstep, and you’d be hard-pressed not to leave this resort feeling utterly enchanted.

Why we love Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas

  • The resort sits in a secluded spot above a private cove, with incredible views at every turn and the buzzing city of Agios Nikolaos a 10-minute drive away.

  • It’s perfect for couples as well as families; there’s a dedicated honeymoon planner on site and bespoke newlywed packages available. A kids’ club, playground and children’s menus mean there’s plenty for younger ones too.

  • There’s a big focus on wellness, with visiting ‘healing masters’ from around the world and one-off fitness retreats designed in partnership with boxing gym BXR London.

  • The dining is superb, with six restaurants and bars, plus regular DJs and live performances by international artists

5 stars
May - Oct
Crete
4 hours
In a secluded spot in the quiet village of Vathi, a 10-minute drive from Agios Nikolaos, one of Crete’s main towns
Approx. 1 hour's transfer from Heraklion airport
Villas, Beach, Kids club, Luxury, Spa, Suitable for children, Wellness

This resort has earned internationally recognised certification that conform to standards set by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

Facilities

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

The dining scene is a highlight here, with six restaurants and bars serving Greek, Cretan and Mediterranean-inspired dishes, and cocktails designed in partnership with The Clumsies – one of the world’s best bars. Linger at the Ocean Bar for nightly DJs and live performances, or take advantage of the Firefly service for high-end dining delivered straight to your suite. 

The Beach House
This open-air, beach-house inspired eatery is built into the green landscape of one of the most scenic private coves on the island, with breezy chill-out tunes playing against a backdrop of the waves. Food here is seasonal and locally grown; there’s an all-day and night à la carte menu, and guests can order from the comfort of their sun lounger or in the Beach House restaurant.

Ocean Restaurant
Tuck into Mediterranean dishes with a fine-dining twist at this beachside restaurant, with a menu designed by the team at Ducasse Conseil; think sea bass carpaccio, rabbit stifado and tempura cauliflower, served on an elegant courtyard overlooking the cove.

Taverna
Greek cuisine is the focus at this à la carte eatery, with seafood dishes and local specialities accompanied by dazzling ocean views.

Pangea
Head here for bountiful buffet breakfasts and dinners, including a grill corner for meat and fish cooked on the flame, and admire sweeping views over the cove.

Crystal Box
Sip on signature cocktails made with local herbs at this trendy lounge bar, where floor-to-ceiling windows look across a panorama of glittering opal.

Ocean Bar
Enjoy cocktails and light refreshments at this laid-back poolside bar, with a drinks menu designed by The Clumsies – one of Athens’ most renowned cocktail spots.

Ocean is a standout, with an exquisite Med-inspired menu and beautiful sea views to match.

Whats Included

For Deluxe Room and guests: Half Board • Breakfast and dinner at Pangea • Set credit on à la carte dinner at Taverna, Ocean and The Beach House.

For Deluxe Junior Suite, Suite and Villa guests: Premium All Inclusive • Breakfast at Ocean Restaurant • For Deluxe Junior Suite and Deluxe Junior Suite with Individual Pool guests, breakfast will be served at Pangea or the adults-only restaurant Taverna (14 years plus) • Breakfast at Ocean or the adults-only restaurant Taverna (16 years plus) for Premium Junior Suite, Suite and Villa Guests • Lunch and dinner at all all à la carte and buffet restaurants (three-course meals at à la carte venues; restaurant opening times vary and some venues are adults only) • Dedicated wellness menus in each restaurant • Dedicated kids' and baby menus • Selected beverages and signature cocktails created by award-winning mixologists, The Clumsies • Wine and champagne list featuring Veuve Clicquot Champagne and over 250 Greek and international labels with every lunch and dinner • Ice cream, soft drinks and fresh fruit juices for kids at the pool and beach bar 24-hour in-room dining • Discounts on Culture at the Cove events.

The hotel’s redesigned spa, KĒPOS by Goco, is a state-of-the-art-retreat where you can enjoy tailored treatments such as ancient Greek traditional therapy, an Anne Semonin vital detox or a high-tech cryotherapy treatment, based on a personalised diagnosis. Facilities include an indoor pool, Finnish sauna, therapeutic water circuit and Thai massage studio, with a focus on the 'Six Pillars of Healing' – Care, Move, Nourish, Rest, Treat and Bathe – and a range of multi-day programmes designed with these in mind. The resort plays host to visiting ‘healing masters’, who offer yoga, meditation and massage treatments from around the world. Created in partnership with high-end boxing gym BXR London, the fitness centre here is excellent with brand-new equipment and bespoke programmes tailored to suit.

There’s plenty to be getting on with here. Take part in a cooking or wine tasting lesson, explore Mirabello Bay on a high-speed rib boat or visit nearby Agios Nikolaos. Hiking and cycling are all available close by too. The resort also hosts regular international musicians and DJs.

Head to the sandy beach where there are loungers, umbrellas, towel service and a bar. As well as a sea water infinity pool, there are two further indoor sea water pools at the spa. Many divers are attracted to the rocky terrain at the Cove. Nearby windsurfing and kitesurfing can be arranged.

Daios Cove has many sustainability programmes. These include recycling, using a desalination plant rather than local water reserves, installing LED lighting, low energy consumption cooling systems for the accommodation and solar panels to assist with hot water and wastewater management for use in the gardens.

This resort is great for a first holiday with your baby or toddler. Order a Baby Kit and the resort will provide a bottle warmer, steriliser, baby bath, highchair and buggy – meaning you can travel light.

For families, the Premium Suites feature cleverly devised pull-out beds and lounge sofas to comfortably sleep up to five. For larger groups, we’d recommend the two or three-bed Family Villas, which provide beautiful sea views and boast a private pool and sundeck area. Thoughtful extras such as pool and stair fences can also be requested.

A children's club is available for ages 4-12.

Minimum stay: 5 nights 17 Apr-03 Nov.

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