Crete Hotels|Lasithi, Greece

Minos Beach Art Hotel

Name: Minos Beach Art Hotel
Telephone: 30-28410-22345

An art and design lover's escape on the Cretan coast

VERIFIED LUXURY

Learn How We Inspect

As its name suggests, the Minos Beach Art Hotel experience revolves around art. One of Crete’s pioneering luxury hotels, it was also among Greece’s first to embrace the concept of an “art hotel,” curating an impressive collection of contemporary works that remains a defining feature.

Today, the property feels less like a traditional beachfront resort and more like pages from a design magazine brought to life. Minimalist whitewashed bungalows and villas spill down to the water’s edge, many with private terraces and steps leading directly into the sea.

Days revolve around swimming in Mirabello Bay, sampling Cretan cuisine, and dipping into a weekly program of yoga, Pilates, art walks and sunset DJ sets. Add a spa, tennis courts and a freshwater pool, and it's easy to see why Minos Beach Art Hotel ranks among Crete's finest retreats for those who appreciate great design as much as a great beach.

Our Inspector's Highlights

The Crete hotel's 125 accommodations range from stylish sea-view guest rooms in the main building to the whitewashed waterfront bungalows that have become Minos Beach Art Hotel's signature. Many sit directly on the shoreline with private terraces and steps leading into Mirabello Bay, while the largest villas add private pools and generous indoor-outdoor living spaces.
Interiors embrace an earthy Mediterranean minimalism, with whitewashed walls, warm woods, tactile natural materials and carefully curated furnishings. Sculptural pendant lighting and thoughtfully designed reading nooks, terraces and alcoves make the spaces feel so inviting, while modern, open-plan bathrooms with walk-in showers add a polished contemporary finish.
More than 55 contemporary sculptures by acclaimed Greek and international artists are dispersed throughout the gardens and waterfront as part of the G. & A. Mamidakis Foundation's permanent collection. Guests can explore the open-air Sculpture Garden independently via the Smartify app or join a guided tour to discover the stories behind the site-specific works, many of which draw inspiration from the island’s landscape and cultural heritage.
Rather than chasing fleeting wellness trends, the hotel’s Ananea Wellness spa looks to Greece's own healing traditions for inspiration, albeit through a modern lens. Alongside ancient foot acupressure therapy and deep-pressure body massages to relieve tension and stiffness, guests can opt for restorative Natura Bissé facials or targeted sleep and renewal treatments.
Minos Beach Art Hotel makes an excellent base for exploring eastern Crete. Venture inland to ancient olive groves and traditional mountain villages, visit the legendary birthplace of Zeus, dive among the submerged ruins of the ancient city of Olous, or take a boat to the haunting former leper colony of Spinalonga, one of Greece's most fascinating historical landmarks.

The Restaurants

The jewel in the luxury hotel’s culinary crown is La Bouillabaisse. Its name — a nod to the classic Provençalseafood stew — sets you up for a menu that pays homage to the sea, from sea bass tartare and grilled octopus with orange to a satisfyingly hearty Corfiot snapper bourdetto. There are equally accomplished meat and vegetarian dishes, plus decadent desserts.
Terpsis Restaurant celebrates the communal spirit of Cretan cuisine with a seasonal menu of mezze and sharing plates. Dishes shift with the day's ingredients, but the ritual remains the same: gather beneath the pines by the sea, order generously and settle in for an unhurried meal fueled by good food, local wine and even better conversation.
Kamara is where guests gather morning and night for abundant Greek buffets and live cooking stations that spotlight traditional Cretan recipes through the seasons, alongside à la carte classics. Exceptional local produce and time-honored cooking elevate the experience well beyond your average hotel buffet.
Inspired by the traditional Greek coffee houses, Adeste Kafenion re-creates the warmth and communal spirit of a Cretan village square. Classic mezze, hearty stews and grilled dishes feature daily, while Wednesday and Sunday evenings come alive with live music, traditional dancing and plenty of complimentary raki.
Each of the hotel’s four bars offers a distinct atmosphere. Le Cave, Wine Bar pairs sommelier-selected wines with light bites by the water, while Mo.by Pool Bar overlooks the resort's striking, whale-inspired pool, serving refreshing cocktails, local wines and wholesome light fare from private cabanas or loungers. Dionyssos Bar makes it all too easy to linger over cocktails around the fire pit, and Pure Lounge Bar delivers the quintessential Cretan sundowner experience with chilled drinks served directly on the sand.

Amenities