Malia Beach Crete, Greece
Renovated
2019
Price
$$$
Rated for
Resort Design LocalOutside the door
The house
PhāeaBotanical beachfront resort
Family life unfolds outdoors here, moving between snaking river pools, hands-on gardening workshops, and the private sandy bay.
“Boho-chic Phāea Cretan Malia, a member of Design Hotels, is walkable to one of Crete’s most famous beaches (Potamos) and the well-touristed Minoan ruins of Malia Palace.”
What it’s good at
Remarkable
River-style lagoon pools and open-air family cinema screenings set across coastal botanical gardens.
Notable
Rough-hewn walls, Cretan marble, and chestnut woodwork shaped by architect Vana Pernari.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Condé Nast Traveler.
Surrounded by Mediterranean gardens, Phāea Cretan Malia is a slow-living retreat on Crete’s northern coast.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Potamos Beach is an easy walk away, and the Minoan ruins of Malia Palace lie two kilometers along the coast.
The rooms
Bungalows are finished in chestnut wood and Cretan marble, and swim-up options step directly into the snaking river pool.
The pools
Bring a swimsuit.
The heated main pool borders shaded pavilions, and a freshwater lagoon pool winds beneath footbridges and date palms.
The spa and gym
Two treatment rooms at The Cute Spa use organic Ariadne Athens botanicals, and an open-air timber gym faces the garden.
At the table
Seaside tables at Almyra look out over the water, and The Beach Shack serves sunset drinks on the sand.
How it began
The grounds were a 1970s beachfront campsite among banana groves until hotelier Yannis Sbokos built the resort in 1989.
Good to know
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Phāea Cretan Malia
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Crete
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.