There’s a reason Crete has become the Greek island everyone in the know is booking this year. Unlike the frenetic party scene of Mykonos or the overtouristed crush of Santorini, Greece’s largest island offers something far more seductive: variety.
Wild mountain landscapes, impossibly clear turquoise waters, exceptional food, authentic culture and lots of space; flying into Chania, Crete’s most sophisticated coastal city, we were immediately struck by the landscape. The island feels earthy and elemental, with rugged bronze mountains rising dramatically against the glittering lapis lazuli sweep of the Mediterranean. Within thirty minutes of the airport, the road curved towards Aulūs Chania. We were welcomed into a sleek, contemporary lobby framed by oversized buttery caramel leather sofas and sculptural coffee tables stacked with design books. But it’s the hotel’s expansive sunset terrace that first caught our attention, with its panoramic sea views. We made an immediate mental note to come back here for cocktails before dinner.
The Vibe
Crete has long been synonymous with family-friendly holidays, but a new wave of elevated adults-only resorts is shifting the island’s appeal towards couples and design-conscious travellers looking for a slower, more romantic kind of Mediterranean escape. Aulūs Chania embraces that shift beautifully. Part of the Domes Resorts collection – traditionally known for luxury family-focused properties – this concept felt entirely different. Adults-only means exactly that: no screaming children and no inflatable unicorns drifting across the pool. During our stay, the crowd was a mix of chic couples, groups of girlfriends, and larger friend groups all seeking rest and relaxation.
The main pool sits at the heart of the resort, split across two levels and surrounded by oversized cushioned daybeds that you could happily occupy from breakfast until sunset, book in hand. Here there was vibey music playing through the speakers and the occasional live saxophonists performing poolside, and it was easy to pop to the pool bar for a frozen margarita or strawberry daiquiri. There was no need to interrupt our sunbathing for lunch as a cleverly designed grab-and-go station offered complimentary fresh salads, sandwiches and light bites throughout the day.
For something quieter, a five-minute walk down through the property leads to the resort’s Zen Pool, a blissfully silent sanctuary with no music. Nearby, a small private beach leads onto one of the hotel’s best features – a long wooden deck allowing guests to dive directly into the gin-clear water below.
The Rooms
The rooms are decorated in warm, earthy tones inspired by the Cretan landscape, plus natural woods, soft stone textures and woven details. The beds deserve particular mention – genuinely some of the most comfortable I’ve slept in at a hotel. Bathrooms are finished in cool neutral tiling with premium amenities and large rainfall showers, while private terraces are great for early morning coffee in the sun or winding down post-pool, robe on with a glass of chilled rosé. As part of the ultra all-inclusive offering, the minibar is generously stocked with complimentary snacks and soft drinks, though some beverages come with an additional charge.
The Food + Drink
Dining at Aulūs is a true pleasure. The main restaurant, The Island, is a Mediterranean buffet that spills out onto yet another spectacular sea-facing terrace. There are lots of hot and cold options for breakfast but we had the impossibly thick Greek yoghurt on repeat, drizzled generously with local honey, topped with granola and fresh seasonal fruit. There are also three à la carte restaurants including Tesoro Mio, the hotel’s Italian concept, which serves excellent fresh pasta dishes, wood-fired pizzas, creamy burrata, antipasti platters overflowing with prosciutto and grilled vegetables, rich truffle risottos and, naturally, a very good tiramisu.
On alternate evenings, the same space transforms into Yellow Sea, the resort’s sleek Asian concept restaurant. Think beautifully presented sushi platters, delicate sashimi, crispy tempura, flavour-packed bao buns and inventive small plates that feel far more sophisticated than typical resort dining. And then there’s Meze, perched dramatically at the cliff’s edge overlooking crashing waves below. Here, dining takes a traditional Greek sharing format with generous plates of grilled octopus, saganaki drizzled with honey, fresh tzatziki, warm pita, crispy courgette fritters, grilled prawns, slow-cooked lamb and vibrant local salads designed to be washed down with glasses of chilled Assyrtiko.
As sunset approaches, everyone naturally migrates upstairs towards The Spiritzeria, the hotel’s gorgeous open-air cocktail terrace. Don’t miss the resort’s weekly Greek Night celebrations, where live musicians play traditional Cretan music while dancers in full traditional dress perform energetic folk dances.
The Little Extras
It’s not really a little extra (we would argue that it’s more of a necessity on any getaway geared towards relaxation): the hotel’s Aegeo Spa offers an extensive wellness programme rooted in Greek holistic traditions. Treatments combine Mediterranean botanicals with modern wellness rituals, with a menu spanning deep tissue massages, detoxifying body scrubs, glow-enhancing facials, volcanic stone therapies and full-body signature rituals designed around restoring balance and energy. There’s also yoga, Pilates and wellness sessions running throughout the week.
The To-Do List
Chania, Crete
One of the loveliest touches at Aulūs Chania is how much the hotel actively encourages you to explore Chania itself, despite the all-inclusive offering. Complimentary shuttle services run into town, and even more thoughtfully, guests can enjoy drinks at selected bars in the city as part of their stay. Chania feels refreshingly sophisticated compared with many port towns – an elegant old Venetian harbour town where beautiful architecture replaces tacky souvenir shops and stylish boutiques sit alongside wonderful restaurants that spill out onto the narrow cobbled streets.
Lead image: Aulūs Chania by Domes
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