Welcoming guests aged 15+, this luxury resort, located on the northern coast of Crete, is surrounded by mountains and woods, while two sandy beaches are just a short walk away. Suiting both those seeking quiet contemplation and sports lovers, it is just 22km from the island’s capital Heraklion but still a world away from the bustling towns and cities.
The well-equipped spa features an indoor heated pool, sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, massage rooms and fitness room. Treatments available (for a surcharge) include deep hot stone massages, seaweed treatments, waxing, manicures and pedicures. Outdoors the lagoon pool area provides a place to relax in the sun. You’ll never be far from a bar offering cooling refreshments and snacks, as there’s five of them.
The more active holidaymakers will be spoiled for choice, with the large range of sporting activities available. Within the resort, the options on offer include tennis, beach volleyball, table tennis, football, mini-golf, petanque, basketball, yoga, TRX, Zumba and aerobics. Being so close to the sea, there’s the chance to go scuba diving, banana boating, water skiing or parasailing. For those who prefer to stay on dry land, there are hiking, mountain biking and horse riding opportunities.
The resort boasts six restaurants. The biggest being Kimata, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, where you can experience show cooking and when it comes to desserts, there’s a huge range to choose from. Oceania is a formal, reservation only, option, with fantastic views across the Aegean from the rooftop. Vegans will feel at home at Vegera, with its variety of dishes, made from locally grown plants. Umami offers Asia cuisine, while Paraiso offers Mexican. Last, but by no means least, La Parilla is a meat-lovers paradise, offering succulent cuts, cooked slowly over the grill.
The room options at Stella Island range from luxurious to extravagant. Here facilities like WiFi, Queen sized beds, sofa safe, hairdryer, minibar, satellite TV, bathrobes, slippers and beach towels are standard. The only decision you’ll have to make is whether you want a swim-up room, jacuzzi, villa with private pool or just settle for the bliss offered with a standard room.
While there is plenty to do at the resort, guests shouldn’t leave Crete saying the only thing they saw in Heraklion was the airport. You must stop off at Knossos on the way, settled as early as the Neolithic period, it is possibly Europe’s oldest city, having been built between 3500 and 2100BC. A volcanic tsunami from nearby Santorini may have covered the site in ash but this has helped to preserve it. The island’s capital itself is modern, in comparison, having only existed since 824AD. You can see buildings dating as far back as the Venetian and Ottoman eras, while older discoveries can be found at Heraklion Archaeological Museum.
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