5* Esperides Resort & Spa – Koutouloufari – Crete

If 5* means the glitz and glam of the Bellagio in Las Vegas or the formality of the Ritz in London to you, then look away now, because The Esperides Resort & Spa in Koutouloufari has none of this glitzy formality. The owner Yainnis has managed to perfectly combine Cretan Village charm with 5* service and facilities and from arrival to leaving, the service was nothing short of spectacular.

The resort is the perfect environment for forgetting about your life back home, whether that’s taking a swim to the swim up bar for a well deserved cocktail, dining in their a la carte restaurant with theatrics of dry ice and smoke or having a well deserved massage in their elevated wellness room, whilst looking out to sea. Want even more quiet time and privacy? There are lots of hidden corners to sit and relax.

The resort has 3 restaurants, plus the snack bars at each pool. We didn’t use the buffet restaurant for lunch or dinner, but the variety and quality at breakfast was excellent. You can choose from a range of meats and cheeses, salad vegetables, breads, criossants and pastries, cereals, puddings and yogurt, cakes, cereals, omelets, crepes, eggs, other cooked items, juices and flavoured waters.

They hold weekly Greek Nights at the Monastery Restaurant, which is located across from the resort next to its maisonette accommodation. Although we didn’t eat here, we did visit and the views were breathtaking.

In the evening we usually walk into Koutouloufari and eat at one of the numerous tavernas, but once we had tried the hotel A La Carte restaurant we ate there five times during our stay. Speaking to other customers, they also had the same experience and chose to eat at the hotel throughout their stay. The restaurant offers Italian and Asian on the same menu, which is great if one of you can’t agree what you want to eat. Set out on different levels, open air and with views out to sea, the decor is modern with wood and terracotta, beautiful lighting and with electronics cleverly hidden so they don’t ruin the ambience. For that special occasion, the hotel offers a private dining table at the top level and can make special arrangements for that special proposal.

Restaurant staff are knowledgeable, friendly and inviting. We were given excellent wine recommendations, with most being Greek wines which surprised us in a good way. Service was always excellent and never intrusive. The Restaurant Manager was always available to chat and Manos at the bar should get a special mention for entertaining our son during our stay, even after being beaten by him in an impromptu Flag Naming Quiz – sorry Manos.

If you do feel the need to leave the resort then Koutoloufari with its numerous restaurants and bars is just a short walk away. Koutouloufari and its neighbour Piskopiano have managed to retain their village charm, which is surprising given Hersonissos is a short walk down the hill. So if you do fancy a busier experience then you can always pop down the hill. If you do find hills difficult then there are plenty of taxis to get a ride back up.

Accessibility:

The resort has golf buggies to assist in going up to the reception, but if you can manage a short walk up a slope then there is a lift which takes you to the second floor rooms and the restaurant. There are lifts to all levels of the hotel and these have been thoughtfully incorporated into the architecture.

Although there are not specific wheelchair accessible rooms, on telling the owner that we found it difficult to access the room with a wheelchair, he commissioned the building of a ramp that day and it was there waiting for us when we opened the door. This is indicative of the service we received throughout our stay, personal and attentive.

Please ask for a ramp prior to arrival and they will make this available to you.

Esperides Resort Recommendations:

Stay in a private pool or Jacuzzi room for maximum privacy and fun
If you decide to go this year then have a chat to Yiannis at the top bar. He knows a lot about Greek history, so before that visit to Knossos or Heraklion, get informed. Next season he may not be there
Ask security at the gate for a ride. The resort offers a buggy service up the slope to reception, which is great for those who are less mobile.
Use the Spa at least once. If there is a three treatment offer on then snap it up. I wished I had after the first one
Ask about Yoga classes for that extra final bit of help towards full relaxation. Sessions are held in the small outdoor gym for those who want to exercise whilst away. There are plans to expand the gym for the 2022 season.

Koutouloufari Restaurant Recommendations

Emanuel Taverna – ask what’s cooking in the wood burning oven

Emanuel Taverna – Daily Specials, Wood Burning Oven and Emanuel explaining the daily dishes

2. Atrium – for Modern Greek dishes
3. Alchemist – for personal service, authentic Greek cooking, the Raki and mamas orange cake
4. Kokorico – close to the resort and great for a lunchtime snack or meal overlooking the sea
5. Marel All Day Long – for Cocktails, People Watching and Apple Pie!

Crete Recommendations:

Visit Knossos and have a guide for the full experience. Take bottles of water. Don’t visit at midday when the heat can be unbearable or take an umbrella for shade. It is completely open with very little shade.
Head to the South of the island to the hippy resort of Matala, but also drive around and experience the smaller resorts and coves in the area. There are also some great
Visit the Woodcarving Museum in Axos. It’s pretty cool.
Visit Elafonissi Beach to see its pink sand
Take a drive to the Lasithi Plateau for the amazing views, pretty villages and more
Visit Neapoli which has one of the 5 largest churches in Greece Cathedral of the Virgin Mary and it is beautiful. You can also relax in one of the town squares with a frappe, stroll through its small park or visit the Neapoli Folklore Museum (closed on the weekend).