Paradise Island Villas

Style

Set-apart, secluded villas

Setting

Cretan paradise found

The family-friendly Paradise Island Villas are scattered between the mountains and Mediterranean, just outside Anissaras. Terracotta tiles and bougainvillea-clad walls lead the way to the earthy interiors of ivory-hued, minimalist design. Outside, private gardens have their own pools, dining areas and Jacuzzi jets.

Facilities

Rooms

12 villas.

Checkout

11am, but flexible at no cost if there’s availability. Earliest check-in, 2pm.

More Details

Rates exclude breakfast, which is €15 a day for adults and €10 a day for children (up to 12 years old) for Continental; à la carte options are available too.

Also

Spa treatments have been developed using traditional home-made recipes; select one and have it in the privacy of your villa’s garden.

Hotel Closed

November to April.

Fitness Center

Free Internet Access

Laundry

Pool

Room Service

At the Hotel

Gym, tennis court, playground, book/DVD library and free WiFi. In rooms: flatscreen TV, CD/DVD player, iPod dock, free bottled water, microwave, PC, fridge and coffee maker.

Our Favourite Rooms

The villas with views are the ones to go for (Executive, Paradise and Superior). They’re all named in mythological terms so pick your hero (Zeus, Aphrodite, Poseidon…).

Poolside

There are two outdoor pools, surrounded by palm trees and linen deck chairs.

Packing Tips

More than a modesty-preserving leaf is required. Try your slinkiest swimwear, sarongs and soft linens instead.

Also

Lightweight pets (under 5kg only) are allowed. Guests can smoke in any of the outdoor areas.

Children

Cots and extra beds are free. Babysitting costs €15 an hour. There are tennis courts and a children’s playground in the grounds.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

Base your preference on proximity to the pool – close up to see the swimmers, or splash-proof at the back.

Dress Code

The temperature rises around here: floaty and feminine for Mrs Smith, crisp cotton for Mr Smith.

Hotel Restaurant

Ambrosia dishes up Mediterranean cuisine with a few Greek enhancements here and there. You can’t beat the catch of the day, grilled and served with roasted vegetables. There’s also locally reared lamb to look out for, and make sure you leave room for the loukoumades (a doughnut-like dessert with honey and ice-cream). The room is bright, with decorative ladders hanging on the walls. The poolside restaurant is mostly outside, so expect a light and airy setting, with views of the mountains in the distance. Poolside barbecues happen every week.

Hotel Bar

The ultra-modern poolside bar is decked out with hanging stainless steel lights and azure-coloured sidelighting to match the turquoise water. Try the local wines and champagne punch. It’s chilled out to the max (in fact, watch the soothing Greek sounds don’t send you to sleep).

Last Orders

Leisurely breakfasts take place between 9am and noon; lunch is served between noon and 4:30pm; dinner is 7pm until 10:30pm. The bar shuts at midnight.

Room Service

Order food from the à la carte menu from 9am to 4:30pm and from 7pm to 10:30pm. Drinks can be ordered anytime from 9am to 10:30pm.

Planes

Nikos Kazantzakis International, just outside the island capital of Heraklion, is 23km from Paradise Island Villas. It’s served by direct international flights as well as connecting domestic routes from Athens International, Elefthérios Venizélos airport.

Trains

Cretan locomotives exist only on the internet, as spoofs for naïve tourists; buses and ferries are the get-around transport of choice here.

Automobiles

As with most Greek islands, the roads of Crete are not for the faint-hearted, characterized by hairpin bends, cliff drops and narrow carriageways. That said, the main routes run west-east, rather than north-south, so if you want to explore the north coast from your base at Anissaras, hiring wheels will increase your options. KTEL Buses run between Heraklion and Sitia in the north-east, via Hersonissos (www.bus-service-crete-ktel.com).

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

Head into the traditional villages nearby for some Cretan culture; we’re fans of Koutouloufari, Old Hersonissos and Piskopiano, all between 3km and 5km of the hotel. Set off on horseback to canter through the olive groves (www.hersonissos-horse-riding.com), or tee off over at the local 18-hole golf course (www.crete-golf.com). The nearest beach is a 10-minute walk away.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .