Crete is the largest of all the Greek islands and is located the farthest from the mainland of all the major islands. The island has been inhabited for more than four millennia and has famously been the home of Zeus, Zorba, El Greco and the Minotaur. Lassithi is a small resort town set along Mirabello Bay on the northeastern coast of Crete. Lassithi provides access to the range of landscapes and activities of Crete.
The Miramare Resort fronts directly onto the blue waters of the Aegean Sea. The hotel consists of a sprawling complex with gym, tennis, game room and play spaces for children. In the ancient Greek tradition, the hotel has an open-air theater where concerts and performances take place, a large oceanside pool with deck and four restaurants, and bars -- some of which have sea views and outside dining. The complex contains a hotel, bungalows and villas to choose from. Each room has a balcony, floor-to-ceiling glass doors, satellite TV, Wi-Fi and minibar. Rates for a standard double room start around 48 euros (about $65) as of January 2011.
The Palazza Arhontiko Apartments are not flashy but are beautifully simple. Their setting makes the most of a perch aside Mirabello Bay with plenty of large windows and open spaces opening onto the sea. The hotel is steps from a popular public beach, and a few more steps from the town center. Each room is set up like a holiday apartment with traditional hardwood fixtures, iron bed frames. light-colored walls and angled black-and-white tile floors. The rooms have air conditioning, direct phone line, separate living room with air conditioner and a kitchenette with all the necessary cookware, utensils and appliances. Rates are available on request.
The Ormos Crystal Hotel are two no-frills, three-star hotels within the same property a few steps from the water's edge and the town center alike. The hotels have parking, swimming chair and umbrellas, satellite TV, playground and game rooms. The Ormos and Crystal hotels are both dated in different ways -- one cement with balconies and the other a triangle-shaped, two-tiered structure. You will find simple, clean accommodations with air conditioning, mini-fridge, satellite TV and balcony with large sliding doors.
The Thalassa Villas is a five-star resort with all the design and glamour necessary for a magazine shoot set on the shores of Mirabello Bay. The property consists of six separate luxury villas in the St. Nicholas Bay Resort Hotel grounds. The hotel features daily buffet breakfast, terrace restaurant, children's world for kids, an assortment of water sports, a luxurious spa, gym and a large swimming pool. Villa guests have their own private pool, Wi-Fi, satellite TV and living space and in-room spa treatments. Rates for a villa start around 700 euros (about $935) as of January 2011.
