An indulgence in an elegant setting with a view of the Libyan Sea – Paralos Irini Mare is a 4-Star lavish, sustainable hotel in the picturesque Agia Galini on Crete’s beautiful south coast.
Crete is a charming island with wonderful Cretans – incredibly proud, hospitable, and family-oriented individuals – and this serves as the barometer for the values of this luxurious sustainable hotel. You may learn what your mind and body genuinely require at this destination resort, and you will leave as an improved version of yourself.
Suppose you get fortunate enough to meet the hotel owners during your stay – in that case, you will almost certainly be introduced to their beautiful family, as I did – and that is one of the core identities that separates this 4-Star hotel from others, as the family is at the heart of it, which is refreshing to see.
This family-run hotel, co-owned by two beautiful souls, brother and sister, Antonis & Marili Milo, is a blissfully peaceful hideaway an hour away from Heraklion International Airport, making it a great jumping-off place to explore South Crete’s magnificent sands and historic ruins. I was the sibling’s invited guest and the first writer they’ve ever worked with – giving me exclusive insight from the early beginnings to where the hotel is today.
Their musical culture, dancing, family gatherings and dress style reflect the arid landscape and steep mountains. If you show affection for their island, the Cretans will quickly warm to you and share some of their traditional delights.
What are the core identities?
Paralos Irini Mare is part of the portfolio of Paralos Hospitality – one of four hotels on the island of Crete – all owned by different broad family members. All of the hotels adhere to the five pillars of Paralos Hospitality, which are:
- Ethics – Customs – Local Culture
- Gastronomical Journey of Experiences based on Greek products and recipes
- Well-being
- Social and Environmental responsibility
- Excellent service
These are the essential principles of Paralos, and when you stay at one of the hotels, you’ll know precisely what you’re receiving.
Sustainable Approach
Paralos Irini Mare says a green future is the only way to go. When speaking to both Marili and Antonis Milo, they told me their fundamental business principles revolve around minimising waste, conserving resources like water and energy, utilising cutting-edge technology, working with environmentally friendly manufacturers, promoting local growers and suppliers, buying locally produced goods whenever possible, and implementing green initiatives across all aspects of their management and operations.
All of the employees I met shared this ethos, and Antonis Milo even told me about a time when he had rooms for his employees to stay in so that they didn’t pollute the environment by travelling back and forth every day – something his competitors thought was outlandish because he was giving up rooms for potential visitors.
The sibling’s principal focus is creating environmentally friendly experiences and adopting a comprehensive strategy for every staff member and visitors’ well-being while protecting the local way of life and culture.
What will you be getting in your hotel rooms
The stylish rooms and suites at Paralos Irini Mare mix modest coastal charm with 4-Star comforts against a magnificent island background. Any room you stay in will fill you with pleasure, as you can choose from 128 bright, modern rooms that epitomise laid-back luxury, emphasising natural materials and large windows surrounding the Cretan scenery.
They provide various alternatives for couples and families, from superior double rooms with spectacular mountain views to junior suites with breathtaking sea views and a private pool, spread throughout 13 buildings and 40,000 square metres of ground facing the Libyan Sea.
In line with the resort’s steadfast dedication to sustainability, the newly created junior rooms are eco-friendly, employing entirely geothermic and solar electricity – one of the five pillars of Paralos. Additionally, every suite is prevented from excessive heat entering the rooms on warm days; on chillier days, it does the opposite by keeping the cold out.
A siesta is an essential component of any holiday in that region of the world; thus, all rooms were newly constructed or renovated during the past six years and featured several comforts, such as coffee and tea-making equipment and a new pillow menu that is complimentary in all hotel categories.
My room was the ‘Suite Private Pool Sea View’, a newly constructed room that provided the most luxurious experience. The suite had the cosiest bed and a separate living room area with two sofa beds and two comfortable chairs complementing the room with a big Flat-screen LED TV accompanying it with satellite channels. The most delightful feature was the gorgeous private pool, which is semi-salted water like all the pools at the resort, reducing chemical consumption on a wooden deck balcony to sunbathe for a refreshing holiday.
What's for dinner?
The Cretan diet is regarded as one of the healthiest in the world – one scrumptious dish at a time, the hotel honours the island’s rich culinary tradition. The freshness and high quality of the ingredients, cooked solely with a signature extra virgin olive oil, all from the fields of Paralos Irini Mare near the Minoan castle of Phaistos, give each meal its individuality. The hotel promises to utilise only local and seasonal goods that are elegantly curated with the signature of the renowned Greek chef Giannis Baxevanis, accompanied by his outstanding colleagues, including the 2020 Greek Masterchef contestant, Iraklis Apostolidis.
Everything is buffet-style but of the highest calibre – no two days are the same since they alter the dishes. For dinner one day, I got the most mouthwatering seabass with my choice of flavoured rice and vegetables. On another occasion, while dining with the Milo’s for lunch, I was treated to a seafood feast with wonderful prawns, perfectly grilled octopus marinated in an exotic sauce, and ice cream to round out the culinary afternoon.
The Cretans adore these old paths and are considered the secret to immortality since they are so flavourful and aromatic. Inspired Cretan delicacies provide an unrivalled gourmet experience that will leave you with a flavour of Crete long after you’ve gone.
The Palm Main Bar
The all-day poolside bar at Paralos Irini Mare provides nibbles and a variety of hot and cold beverages, such as cold frappe, classic Greek coffee, and a selection of herbal teas; I recommend you try the Dittany tea, which was quite beneficial to my stomach after every meal, or freshly squeezed organic juice from their orange fields near the historic site of Phaistos. A further tip is to ask them to blend your orange juice with their freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, which is created from pomegranates cultivated in the Messara plain, to stimulate your taste. You can also discover the hotel’s curated collection of Cretan wines and drinks that show their enthusiasm for delicate goods.
Galini Bar
The distinctive design and tranquil ambience of their freshly remodelled Galini Bar at sunset is a memory to create. In a laid-back and welcoming setting, take in expansive views of the Libyan Sea – coffee, drinks, cocktails, and top-quality Cretan wines to set the mood.
What else is on offer?
There are several additional amenities available to you throughout your stay.
Painting lessons
Try your hand at painting by discovering your artistic side by enrolling in one of Jazzmin’s outdoor painting classes. Jazzmin is a German ex-pat who fell in love with Greece many years ago and has since become a significant part of the Paralos community.
Massage
Relax with the most sensual massage by Christos; believe me, for the best wellness experience. You may treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind holistic therapy with organic beauty products. If you want some extra pampering and relaxation, schedule a massage in your room, as I did.
Excursions
You can meander amid historic ruins and soak in the local culture on one of their highly suggested sightseeing experiences – a jeep safari is an ideal method for thrill-seeking to discover the untamed landscape and secret beaches of the southern coast. You should also consider a memorable sailing trip on offer, where you get to snorkel in the pristine Libyan Sea and then unwind with a home-cooked traditional Cretan dish and a glass of wine.
Fitness and Sports
There is no need to be concerned if you believe you have overindulged in the delicious cooking, as you can visit the hotel’s recently remodelled indoor gym to use the brand-new Matrix exercise equipment. The gym’s oak floors and mirrored walls are ideal for your stretching, yoga, aerobic, or dancing workout.
You can even bring your tennis racquet, as they have a superb tennis court to practice your game (at an additional cost). If the courts are too intimidating, then try out the smaller format in table tennis, as they have a fabulous table to work up your competitive juices.
Is it all worth it?
Paralos Irini Mare distinguishes out in the world of wellness retreats for all the right reasons. Combined with wholesome and tasty cuisine, the suites, excursions, spa and fitness facilities, every day at the hotel was a new adventure for me.
As I mentioned, I was the hotel’s invited guest – every staff member went out of their way to make me feel great. The owners, managers, chefs, servers and room service crew all gave me the highest quality of hospitality. I have travelled over the last 18 years and stayed at some of the best hotels in the world. I am struggling to think of a time when I felt so attached to a place – hospitality made my stay exceptional.
In particular, it felt more than just a working relationship with Antonis and Marili; I felt like I was part of their extended family throughout my time there. I even met Antonis’s wife, Eleny, and newborn daughter, Irini, whom they named after Antonis’s mother. And you’ve guessed it; the sibling’s hotel is named after their mother. Also, in Greek traditions, the firstborn from a family tends to get the grandparent’s first name from the father’s side in honour.
From ultimate leisure to picturesque, sun-drenched adventures, a broad choice of free and paid activities welcomes you to enjoy the finest this complex Greek island offers in bliss.
Looking for more travel inspiration? Explore our Accommodation Tips page for other captivating reviews and discover your next dream destination.
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Shebs Alom
Shebs is a Broadcaster, writer and Podcaster. He is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers. He’s hosted a breakfast called Rise & Shine on the only dedicated travel radio station in Africa, Gallivant Radio. Shebs also hosts a travel podcast, Take a Wander With Shebs, which can be seen on his YouTube channel and heard on all major podcasting platforms. Shebs is also the Editor & Commercial Officer for Voyagers Voice. He also runs Shebs The Wanderer Ltd.