Hotel Review: Daios Cove, Crete

Located on the northeast coast of Crete, the resort sits around a lovely cove with a sandy - though rather crowded - beach with shallow turquoise waters.

By plane: flights from London to Heraklion take around 4 hours. A taxi will take one hour from the airport. Free on-site parking. Book flights to Heraklion.

The architecture is contemporary and striking, especially as it is set on five levels going down to the sea. The exterior walkways are lined by a lot of local rock, much of which was dynamited to make way for the resort, and then hand-carved to build the stone cladding. Interiors are minimalist and the public spaces very light.

Service is friendly and you can pay extra for the Residents' Club, a posh all-inclusive. There are six dining venues and bars, a Technogym gym, spa, private beach, large infinity pool and other pools, and water sports centre. Yachts, a RIB boat, motorboats and catamarans can also be rented.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Terrace
• Garden
• Beachfront
• Fitness centre
• Swimming pool
• Spa
• Tennis court
• Kids' club
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

The 300 rooms, suites and villas are plainly decorated, without great character, and have typically beige walls, ash wood effect doors and cupboards and art of variable quality. Most rooms have their own small pool.

Room type: Deluxe Room, Deluxe Junior Suite, Junior Suite, Premium Junior Suite, One-bedroom Suite, Premium Suite, Villa, The Mansion

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with toiletries, bathrobes, tea and coffee facilities, balcony, air conditioning, TV, free Wi-Fi

There are six restaurants and bars: Taverna (Greek), Pangea (buffet breakfasts and dinners), Ocean Restaurant (fine dining Mediterranean), Ocean poolside bar, Crystal Box cocktail bar and the casual Beach House bar.

Taverna: Cretan cuisine, all-day dining.

The Ocean Restaurant: Mediterranean cuisine, all-day dining. Mains from €34.

The Beach House: cove restaurant, Mediterranean cuisine, seasonal produce. Open 9am-11pm.