Amirandes Resort

Designed in keeping with the grand palaces of the Minoan kings, Amirandes is an exclusive beach-side resort that epitomizes Crete’s most inspiring features:  beautiful architecture, warm hospitality, excellent cuisine and stunning land and seascapes.  Just 10 minutes from Heraklion Airport, the Resort also offers good sea links and is just a short drive from attractions including the Palace of Knossos and Crete Golf Club.

Themed around the lagoons that swirl through its centre, the Resort’s 70,000 sq m expanse comprises six restaurants, private beaches, Elixir Spa with indoor pool, outdoor Olympic-size seawater pool, over 60 private pools and extensive children’s facilities.  

Amirandes’ guestrooms range across 20 different types of accommodation and feature over 60 private pools.  The 212 accommodations feature indulgent details such as private gyms, home cinema and state-of-the-art bathrooms with colour-therapy and aromatherapy Jacuzzi bathtubs.  Refined and considerate service mirrors the Resort’s meticulous attention to detail and utmost respect for the privacy of its guests.  Accommodation highlights include a Mediterranean ‘village’ of bungalows and specialty ‘Dream Villas’ that you’ll never want to leave…

The Resort has five diverse restaurants plus a poolside Brasserie and opulent lobby bar.  From relaxed Cretan fare in the Xasteria garden restaurant to contemporary Asian dishes at the waterfront Blue Monkey, each restaurant takes inspiration from the surrounding nature and offers a distinct cuisine and ambience.  Attentive yet unobtrusive service adds to the pervading air of relaxed indulgence.  Authentic cuisine is prepared with fresh Cretan products  from the owners’ Agreco traditional organic farm, which guests can visit one hour away in Rethymno.

Guests are also invited to customize their own dining experience, from romantic dinners to family beach banquets, private BBQs to a special celebration aboard a yacht.  The Resort also offers a range of customized menu options for children and those with specific dietary or religious requirements.

Amirandes’ Elixir Spa offers a true sanctuary for the senses where simplicity is key.  Six individually designed treatment and massage suites offer signature treatments and Ayurvedic therapies using organic plants and extracts from Crete’s rare, aromatic herbs.  The spa also contains an indoor pool, relaxation lounges serving complimentary tea and juices and separate men’s and women’s changing rooms with sauna and showers.  Also contained within the spa is a state-of-the-art cardio-fitness gym and Beauty Centre with two manicure/pedicure rooms and hair salon.  In-room treatments are available on request.  Integrated Thai Bodywork offers a holistic approach blending traditional Thai massage theory and techniques with complimentary bodywork.

Despite its grand scale, Amirandes’ strength lies in its details, with a host of thoughtful, indulgent and state-of-the-art additions transforming it from a special resort into a truly inspirational one.  Exotic lagoons flow around natural stone terraces, punctuated with sunken seating to provide the sense of floating on water.  An Olympic-size seawater pool, children’s pool and heated indoor fresh water pool are supplemented by over 60 private swimming pools – including Amirandes’ Star Pools, featuring multi-colored star lights as well as temperature and current controls.

Amirandes Grecotel Exclusive Resort was styled after the lavish palaces of the Minoan kings and Venetian nobles who once ruled and resided in Crete. Today this welcoming hideaway is marked by its fragrant gardens, gentle lagoons and natural stone terraces, all of which invite guests to sit, relax and stay awhile. Dip into the Olympic-size seawater swimming pool or explore the resort’s three sandy private coves. For more adventure, take off to discover the archaeological site at the Palace of Knossos. The Elixir Spa is not to be missed, for its extravagant treatments. Several delectable eateries vie for your attention.

Experience traditional Greece at Agreco Farm, which uses centuries-old organic practices and features an olive press, water mill and more.Distance from Heraklion Airport (HER): 15 minutes