The Paralos Venus Suites is a contemporary sanctuary where design and comfort come together in exquisite daily extravagance. If you’re looking for a lifestyle experience, which is a family-run business, look no further than this 5-Star luxury hotel on the beautiful island of North Crete, Greece.
This stunning hotel is 20 minutes from Heraklion International Airport – the island with a captivating mix of cultures. It’s an adults-only hotel with delicious local gastronomy, with the core of the hotel’s philosophy being sustainability.
The hotel provides elegant handcrafted services and takes delight in attempting to make visitors like myself lifelong friends. I was an invited guest and privileged to be the first writer to preview exclusively the newly refurbished hotel – and it certainly lived up to its 5-Star billing.
Core identity
As I stated in my assessment of Paralos Irini Mare, which is part of the Paralos Hospitality portfolio, one of the main characteristics distinguishing this 5-Star hotel from others on the market is that the family is at the heart of it. I also spoke about the five pillars that are attributed to all of Paralos’s hotels in my previous article, and to remind you, they 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 hotel’s fundamental principles, and when you stay at one of the Paralos hotels, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting.
The lifestyle experience & sustainability approach
With a focus on the ravishing outdoor pool and eating area that creates an open-air environment, the Paralos Venus Suites is made to let you unwind in peace. This hotel had a distinct vibe from Paralos Irini Mare, the most notable difference being that there was no one under 18.
The foundation of their ideology is good energy, which is also clean energy. Because of this, they are enthusiastic about providing every visitor with a high degree of excellence in every aspect of a responsible stay – this comes from their profound devotion to green and eco practices and standards.
This hotel mirrors Paralos Irini Mare for the best green procedures in maintenance, goods, services, suppliers, and logistics, striving daily to decrease environmental impact considerably. They approach wellness holistically, supporting everything that makes the planet a better place for our current and future generations.
5-Star Luxury Accommodation
I slept in the spectacular ‘One Bedroom Suite Private Pool Sea View’, which the hotel’s manager, the gentleman that he was, Kostas Katsoprinakis, chose for me out of 66 available rooms. I loved that my room was 40 square metres of space and was the most extensive suite where modern luxury, beauty, and design converged, providing me with the extravagance I needed.
Just the little things that made it exceptional, such as the sesame sweets on my pillow when I returned from dinner each night with a bottle of sparkling water – made me feel worthy and valued. My pool was a private paradise on a balcony overlooking the beautiful Aegean Sea, which, like all of the resort’s pools, uses semi-salted water, decreasing chemical usage – incredibly unique in the lights at night to relax in.
The selection of shampoos & conditioners to use with natural oil and organic extracts kept my hair soft, shiny, and smooth throughout my stay. Plus, after a shower, the must-use olive oil body lotion – left my skin feeling soft and gleaming as if I was glowing. It’s always the little touches that make it memorable.
I made use of the first-class facilities – such as the mini bar, with a selection of local herbal teas and an espresso machine, to go along with the stylishly furnished living room, which had an impressive Smart LED TV accompanied with satellite channels. The bedroom additionally contains another TV if you wish to unwind with a favourite programme on the softest mattress bed after a long day.
You also get the opportunity to select from an array of pillows. If you don’t like the feel of any, you can contact staff members via the dedicated app they have for guests to download during your stay, which adds to the exceptional service. The app also keeps you up to date and provides information about what the specials are at the restaurant for the night, to what time the yoga class starts – all designed to make your stay flawless.
Let's talk about the food
Paralos Venus Suites is an outstanding gastronomy destination due to their attention to every item on your plate. Everything they cook for you has a flavour of Crete and Greece, the air from the Aegean Sea, and the feral mountains covered with fragrant herbs and trees.
There are numerous options for breakfast, and you may select as many dishes as you like from the à la carte, which includes the dreamy Greek yoghurt, which is a definite must-have. Because there are so many different types of eggs available, everything prepared for you is pleasantly appetising. There is also a selection of some delicate Greek pastries and cereal from the continental buffet section for you to feast on as well.
Some of the outstanding dishes I had on the menu for dinner were the delicate octopus marinated with the most exotic flavouring. I also indulged in the mouthwatering seabass and vegetables on another night. They also cooked a succulent chicken dish with roast potatoes and vegetables that was specially made for me and not on the menu due to my dietary requirements. So, as you can see, they knew their way to my heart, which was through my stomach.
The chefs visit the market every day to provide you with fresh, locally produced vegetables, meat, and seafood. They create a menu showcasing Crete’s plethora of flavourful foods – with only an à la carte menu, hand-selected Greek and local wines, and specially-made beverages, you are guaranteed a singular dining experience.
Fancy a drink?
Paralos Venus Suites bar area is a happy place where you can chill and join the fun. It is hip and trendy, cosy and calming, and all the staff are ready to serve you a drink of your liking, from everything from cocktails to wines, with unique snacks beside the main pool area to satisfy your thirst. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the freshly squeezed fruit juices, which I highly recommend, thanks to high-end branded liquors that have been expertly chosen, Crete’s taste may be discovered in a glass in your palm.
There is also the fantastic rooftop lounge, where you can relax your senses in a pampered environment and taste the best combinations of unique ingredients in tailored and refreshing drinks and beverages, whether it’s a lazy day or a joyous night. I suggest heading up there before dark, as seeing the sunset is majestic.
One of the best wine-tasting experiences on the island
You may partake in unique events with food and wine pairings created by recognised sommeliers and culinary experts in the hotel’s wine cellar, where you can sample local Cretan wine and superb Greek wines from all across the country.
For the wine-tasting event, I had the pleasure of being joined by the wonderful Paralos Irini Mare owner, Marili Milo, the ever-friendly and smiling Venus Suites manager Kostas Katsoprinakis, and fellow friend and colleague, broadcaster and journalist, Sarah Siese. Siese was accompanied by her husband, John, an expert who worked in the wine field.
Plenty of local Cretan wine was handed around for sampling, and according to John, one of the red wines he had was “The best I’ve ever tasted,” a tribute to the wines available at the hotel. Our visit to the wine cellar was a one-of-a-kind excursion across this gorgeous nation’s wine regions.
You can check out their seasonally available customised wine-tasting events or reserve a private event just for you. I suggest the latter, as you will have the whole wine cellar for your pleasure.
Excursions on offer
There are plenty of excursions available to explore this beautiful island, as the hotel, which partners with Greek Holidays, can plan to give you the best memories during your visit. I went on a few trips, but the most fantastic memory is from the small luxury group I was in for the Jeep safari. It was an ideal way for me to see the mountains from atop and the undiscovered beaches of the southern coast. Our guide for the day made that excursion remarkable, as he was a charming and energetic Englishman, Jason. He knew the island like the back of his hand – I hope you get lucky and get him on your excursion.
Spa, Fitness & Playroom
The mere fact that you are on holiday does not need you to abandon your exercise regimen. The hotel has a magnificent 24-hour rooftop garden gym with a beautiful sea view, top-notch sports equipment, and an absolutely tailored place to accommodate any fitness fanatic. To ensure you have all you need and much more, you can attend your daily session if you feel you have overindulged in the scrumptious cuisine. The hotel has got you covered.
A specific selection of hand-selected massage therapies is also available for you to pamper in addition to your exercise regimen, either in the hotel’s massage room or, upon request, in your room. On arrival at the hotel, I was given a 10-minute free massage coupon to entice me. Once I had the first 10 minutes, I couldn’t resist but go for the complete therapy – it was absolutely worth it. You can also take a steam bath on top of your massage for maximum relaxation.
Aside from fitness, a classy playroom was created to link with the wine cellar and offers intimate gatherings for you and your loved ones or small groups to unwind, play bridge, read an exciting book, or practice your pool skills.
Worth all the hype?
In terms of luxury and lifestyle experience, Paralos Venus Suites delivered on all cylinders. Once again, their exceptional hospitality sets them apart from many other hotels I have stayed in over the years. The hotel’s atmosphere was serene, and the fact that it’s an adults-only hotel gives it that relaxed environment. Plus, they really care about sustainability and don’t just say it to attract customers.
Like Paralos Irini Mare, everyone went out of their way to make me feel at home. I mentioned Kostas Katsoprinakis being a gentleman; I’d also like to acknowledge Maria Drakonaki, who served during dinner. She informed me she was getting married in October of this year and was sweet enough to invite me to her wedding. In Greek traditions, you gift money in an envelope at someone’s wedding to help start their new chapter. As I am unsure about making it to her big day, I gave her an early gift to start her new life for being so kind to me.
The added factor is that it’s part of the Paralos Hospitality family, and the staff are all there to make you feel part of their family – a significant difference from other 5-Star hotels. That’s the hospitality that we desire as guests.
I highly recommend anyone coming to Crete to book a stay at this 5-Star luxurious sustainable hotel and have that lifestyle experience you deserve
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.