St. Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas

On Crete’s sun-soaked coast in Agios Nikolaos, this beachfront resort sits at Thessi Nissi, a short drive from Ammoúdi and Lake Voulismeni. A true beach hotel with a private sandy Blue Flag beach and pet-friendly rooms for travelers with dogs.

Think upscale-resort meets intimate boutique. Rooms and secluded suites open onto private terraces or balconies with panoramic sea views. Villas and several suites offer private (often heated) pools. Gardens of olive trees and roses thread the property, and rooms come with minibars, premium bedding, espresso makers and designer toiletries. Note: the resort closes seasonally (November–April).

Spa lovers get a full-service Poseidon Spa with hammam, indoor heated pool, hot tubs and a range of treatments. Outdoors you’ll find two main pools, a kid’s pool, private sunbathing terraces, complimentary sunbeds and towels, watersports and private yacht rentals. On-site gym, beauty salon, concierge, 24-hour reception, free Wi‑Fi, free parking, car and bicycle rental, babysitting (surcharge) and laundry/valet services round out the stay. Wake up to sea-breeze mornings and step straight down to the private sandy beach.

A 24-hour business center and meeting rooms sit alongside a conference space of roughly 250 m². Express check-in, limo/town car service and complimentary wireless internet make work trips easy.

Five on-site restaurants — including a Club House Restaurant and several à la carte options — serve inventive Cretan cuisine spotlighting fresh local ingredients and olive oil. Sip cocktails at the beach bar or poolside bar, grab snacks at the coffee shop, or order limited-hour room service. Breakfast is available to start your day.