Fodor's Expert Review St. Nicolas Bay

Lovely and luxurious, this special resort is set within immaculate, verdant gardens overlooking the Gulf of Mirabello at the edge of Ayios Nikolaos—the surroundings are magical. Teak wood, blue-and-white striped cottons, bouquets of bougainvillea, rough-hewn stone walls, multiple pools, and a sandy beach make this a delightful Cretan cocoon. Rooms and small bungalows, all with terraces and sea views, some with private pools, are all stylishly furnished. Unlike some of its glitzier neighbors, it retains a sense of Greekness that is supremely genuine. What it does, it does very well. The large number of guests who return year after year is a testament to its appeal.