Rising above rugged cliffs along Crete’s northern shoreline, Acro Suites is an adults-only resort jutting out over the swirling waters of Mononaftis Bay. Drawing honeymooning couples and a burnt-out big city crowd to the relatively remote seaside stretch of Agia Pelagia, this wellness-dedicated sanctuary styled itself on Santorini’s caldera-clinging, stone-hewed stays.
After winding up a series of steep hillside tracks, refreshing glasses of ginger and herb tonics greet you in the glittering, glass-box lobby, which is dotted with hammocks and giant palms. The gaze is always directed out across the Aegean Sea wherever you are, especially from the wind-sheltered cabanas and loungers perched at the cliff’s edge. An infinity pool gently curves around the sunbathing area like a river, with stepping stones to cross over to Cremnos Restaurant and Circle, the pool bar.
By day, staff dressed in flowing linens deliver health-boosting bowls of Greek salads and sea bass ceviche to your poolside hangout, which is where most of your sun-soaked time is spent. Secure one of the stone-grey floor cushions by the bar to sip pomegranate-based cocktails as you cool your feet in the pool, and make sure to move across to the opposite side to catch the sunset (think seriously spectacular, Santorini-level displays of peach and orange streaking across the sky). After dark is when Cremnos really comes into its own, dishing out grilled seafood, creamy lobster pasta, and creative desserts from its chic open kitchen.
Burrowed into the bedrock, each suite comes with its own pool and is dressed in an earthy palette that complements the open stonework throughout. Dark granite sinks and volcanic-black bathtubs are softened by taupe raw silk furnishings draped — Grecian style, naturally — over cloud-like beds which are cleverly positioned to face the sea. The Cave Suites are almost always fully booked, and for good reason, in demand for their grotto-inspired ceilings which arch above sleek, sea-facing rock pools. Grown-up groups can take over up to four villas, which are fronted by furnished terraces and botanical gardens cascading down the cliff-face. The aptly named Sunset Villa is well angled on the west side of the resort and guarantees uninterrupted views at sundown (and throughout the day).
The Byzantine bath house offers yet more ways to unwind, with its spacious marble steam room, dry sauna, plunge pool, and light-filled treatment rooms which are geared towards deep cleansing rituals and rebalancing both the body and mind. The Asana Fitness Club is housed within an elegant shala which is open to the elements on one side, hosting daily classes from yoga to crossfit training, alongside an array of wellness retreats led by experts in sound bathing, guided meditation, and emotional freedom techniques.
Look beyond the sharp lines and hard exteriors, and Acro Suites is every inch the soothing, slow paced stay that Greek island dreams are made of. The ancient Greek roots behind the hotel’s name — ‘akros’ translates to ‘highest point’ — give a new luxurious meaning to living on the edge.
Top Takeaways
Location: Crete, Greece
Address: Mononaftis, Agia Pelagia, 71500
Rating: Five-star
The vibe: If the Dune set designer conjured up a boutique hotel in Crete, it would look a lot like these stone-walled suites (minus all the sand).
Food + drink: The concept at Cremnos is a sleek take on farm-to-table dining, sourcing organic ingredients from small farms on the island. Dishes are nourishing and anything but rustic, elegantly presented on stoneware which matches the surroundings. Guests can also dine in a secluded olive grove at Eleonas every Wednesday night from 7pm, with paired wines from Cretan vineyards. Peruvian-Japanese fusion restaurant Umi is just down the hill at Acro’s sister hotel if you fancy sushi and matcha-infused desserts.
Amenities: Outdoor infinity pool, spa, fitness studio, room service, free WiFi, organic breakfast buffet (with à la carte options), restaurant, bar.
Our favourite part of the hotel: It’s a tiebreak between the dome-shaped cabanas, which are just a few barefoot steps from the infinity pool, and the carved-by-Greek-gods Cave Suites which look as good in real life as they do on the ’gram.
What’s nearby? The beauty of Acro Suites is its secluded location, with little reason to leave its cocooning clutches. There’s a small cove within downhill walking distance if you’d like to swap the pool for the beach one morning, though it tends to become crowded in the afternoon. The hotel organises guided hikes up Mount Ida and Mount Soros (to Kamares Cave), and visits to the Minoan palace of Knossos.
Any personal neighbourhood recs? Join one of the hotel’s olive oil tastings (each Friday from 7pm) for an insight into the island’s ‘liquid gold’ from harvesting to pressing.
Rooms: 49 suites, including four villas.
Pricing: Rates start at $605 per night.
Closest airport: The hotel is 25 minutes’ drive from Heraklion airport, or two hours by road from Chania airport.