The stylish and luxurious CAYO Exclusive Resort & Spa, one of Elounda’s most beautiful design hotels, is a world of seclusion, relaxation and refined elegance, born out of a passionate love for the art of travel. Its atmosphere, mood, amenities, gastronomy make it a dream come true for style seekers.
The striking architectural design of CAYO Exclusive Resort & Spa blends seamlessly into the mountainous landscape, offering unrivaled views of the rainbow-colored island of Spinalonga, a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The eco-friendly design and bioclimatic architecture of CAYO Exclusive Resort & Spa emphasize the benefits of the local climate.
The slope of the land allows optimal air and light access to all rooms, while the rich Greek sunshine emphasizes the beauty of the resort and its surroundings.
Upon arriving at CAYO Exclusive Resort & Spa, one is immediately drawn to the cozy and beautifully decorated Emerald Lobby Bar, which connects to a spacious outdoor veranda serving signature cocktails and drinks.
The resort has well thought out amenities for a comfortable stay — restaurants and bars, outdoor pools, open-air amphitheater, fitness club and spa, entertainment for children, conference rooms, stone beach, elegant boutique with creations of Greek designers and handmade jewelry.
One of the guests’ favorite spots are the two outdoor pools, each with a beautifully designed area with lovely loungers and umbrellas (188 m2 and 160 m2), from where you can admire the magnificent view of the island along with your favorite cocktails and snacks.
ACCOMMODATION
The resort features 116 spacious rooms and suites with private pools and exceptional views of the island’s crystal clear, blue waters and rolling hills.
Great emphasis is placed on maintaining and preserving the vital connection between man and nature by providing eco-friendly and sustainable hotel services.
The environmentally conscious rooms save a significant amount of energy thanks to a state-of-the-art heat recovery system, which is generated by the air-conditioning units, warming all rooms.
The rooms have spacious sitting areas, TV, mini bar, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, tea and coffee making facilities, bedrooms with King size beds, bathrooms with all necessary bath amenities.
GASTRONOMY
To complete your stay with a culinary experience, CAYO offers several restaurants and bars where the abundance of flavors, colors and aromas of local and international dishes and drinks are sure to delight your receptors.
Breakfast is served buffet style in the central Ambrosia restaurant from 07.00 to 10.30. It offers a varied assortment of cold and hot meals, fruits, vegetables, drinks, fresh pastries and breads.
When the sun set under a moonlit night sky, we experienced the evening offering of Ambrosia with buffet style dinner.
Accompanied with the sounds of live music and traditional Greek dancing that took the guests to join the performers.
During the day, while enjoying sunbathing and water treatments, we stopped by Stone Beach by Cayo.
Located a few steps from the resort right on Plaka Beach, it offers cooling drinks, cocktails and snacks.
We spent another unforgettable evening at the fine dining restaurant Kelari in idyllic surroundings and still with the same fantastic views.
Here we experienced exquisitely creative interpretations of centuries-old traditional Greek recipes developed by Chef Lefteris Lazarou, the first Greek chef awarded a Michelin Star.
We tried such specialties as:
– Red Snapper Ceviche, Beer Infused Strawberries and Citrus Sauce
– Grilled Squid with Salsify Cream and Grilled Broccolini
– Crispy Sea Bream Fillets, Green Pea Puree, Smoked Eggplant Mousse, Carrot and Tomato Jam
Followed by the 2 main course:
– Lamb with Bulgur, Celery Root Puree and Lamb Sauce
– Ossobuco (Paccheri, “Graviera” Cheese Bechamel Foam and White Truffle Oil).
And the right choice of a red wine from Greece was the perfect complement to our dinner.
Finished with the dessert — Kataifi with Berry Sorbet.
WELLNESS & SPA
Armonia Spa, located at CAYO Exclusive Resort & Spa and operated by Aegeo Spas, offers guests the opportunity various treatments for body, such as massage or exfoliating packages.
Armonia Spa is a modern complex with a large indoor swimming pool with relaxation area, steam bath, three treatment rooms, sauna, hair and nail salon.
CAYO Exclusive Resort & Spa
Address: Schisma Elounda
PO BOX 108-Plaka 72053
Crete Island, Greece
Instagram: @cayoresort
Text: Marina Timo
Photo courtesy: EATWEEKGUIDE
