Crete, GreeceMononaftis
Sea Side A Lifestyle Resort
Terraced cliffside resort
Mononaftis Crete, Greece
Renovated
2022
Price
$$$
Rated for
Design Wellness ResortOutside the door
The house
Omicron HotelsTerraced cliffside resort
Winding pathways connect whitewashed pavilions down the cliffside, creating the feeling of a quiet coastal village above the bay.
What it’s good at
Notable
Whitewashed cubic pavilions terraced into the cliff, accented with timber and woven straw.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
the adults-only Seaside A Lifestyle Resort feels more like a tiny Cretan village than a hotel resort.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Mononaftis Bay sits right below the cliffs, and the coastal village of Agia Pelagia lies just around the headland.
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The rooms
Rooms use woven straw and pale timber. Selected rooms step directly into swim-up pools overlooking the water.
The pools
Bring a swimsuit.
Cliffside infinity pools overlook the Aegean Sea from timber decks. Indoors, rough rock walls enclose a hydrotherapy pool.
The spa
Thermal suites offer a dry sauna, steam hammam, and ice fountain, alongside treatment rooms running MarocMaroc rituals.
Gym and yoga studio
Curved timber ceilings shelter the fitness club and yoga studio, which looks through full-height glass to the sea.
At the table
Cliffside terraces look out over the sea, serving Nikkei dishes at UMI and evening cocktails at the Panorama bar.
How it began
Twin brothers Yannis and Nikos Orfanakis opened the resort in 2005, and their daughters later directed its modern redesign.
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.