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For quiet luxury set amid natural Mediterranean beauty, head to NEMA Design Hotel & Spa, where a new collection of suites allows couples to connect in perfect tranquillity.
Set on the edge of the Aegean Sea in northern Crete, NEMA already has a reputation as a superior destination for travellers seeking serenity and modern elegance. Now it’s raising the bar even higher with EÉSO, an enclave of ultra-exclusive suites designed for complete relaxation and privacy. Expect personalised service, journeys of culinary discovery and tailor-made adventures exploring land and sea — all just 12 miles from the island’s Heraklion airport.
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Serenity-focused design
A sophisticated simplicity takes centre stage at NEMA: this is a hotel that prides itself, above all, on calm over excess. Spaces are designed with clean minimalist lines and muted palettes plus seamless indoor-outdoor flow, so guests are never far from Aegean vistas and fragrant Mediterranean gardens.
Natural materials form the fabric of the accommodation: think exposed, rich-hued timber, tactile surfaces and sumptuous Coco-mat mattresses. Many suites have their own hot tubs or private pools — so couples can soak up the sun and take a relaxing dip without having to leave their rooms — while the hotel’s main pool, complete with submerged loungers, has the space for guests to swim laps.
The look of the new, light-flooded EÉSO suites is almost sculptural, yet these spaces still feel intimate and enveloping. The colours are warm and earthy, and the decor a clever balance of plump, rounded soft furnishings and sleek glass and stone.
Guests have their own expansive courtyards and terraces, where fire features and subtle lighting create a backdrop for memorable evenings together. Here, large private pools serve not just as places for secluded daytime relaxation but as architectural elements, their mirror-like surfaces adding to the beguiling sense of stillness.
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Unmatched facilities and personalised service
With half-board accommodation and a choice of on-site restaurants, couples can linger over meals that follow the same principles of understated luxury as NEMA’s design.
At Euphoria, the décor blends refined wooden finishes and comfortable upholstered seating complement fresh fish and seafood, succulent meats and Cretan cheeses, all immaculately presented in a plentiful buffet. For a la carte dining, there’s light and airy Rizes. Here, executive chef Leonidas Tsiantas uses locally sourced ingredients to create flavour-packed Cretan and Mediterranean dishes that blend heritage and innovation.
At Deck by Rizes, the restaurant’s beachfront offshoot, dinner is served to the sound of breaking waves, at the best seats in the house for sunsets. And at EÉSO’s own private restaurant, NÁ LE MA, guests are immersed in creative gastronomy in a serene space bordering an elegant water feature.
Service at NEMA is warm, unobtrusive and flawlessly personalised, from the carefully considered arrival rituals to the way therapists at the hotel’s Royal Spa tailor their approach to each client’s preference, using Cretan olive oil, herbs and aloe vera. Purpose-built gazebos mean treatments can be taken outside among the olive trees, soundtracked by the chirp of cicadas.
For guests keen to stay active, NEMA’s fitness centre offers cardio machines, free weights and strength-training equipment, with a personal trainer available for expert individual sessions.
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Unforgettable local experiences
NEMA is perfectly positioned for exploring Crete’s sun-kissed shores, mountainous interior and rich cultural heritage, and the hotel’s dedicated concierge team are on hand to offer advice and arrange trips.
History buffs should head to the captivating Bronze Age archaeological site of Knossos, while ocean-lovers may prefer the stunning beaches of the bustling resort of Analipsis in Hersonissos — ideal for surfing, jet skiing and parasailing, as well as snorkelling and scuba diving. Afterwards explore the narrow streets and authentic tavernas nestled in the hills above.
Just a short drive away from the hotel is the prestigious Crete Golf Club, an exceptional 18-hole course framed by rolling mountain views. The NEMA guest relations team can also organise scenic horse rides — with outings for everyone from total beginners to experienced riders — plus olive oil tasting, yachting, wine tasting and 4WD safaris.
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How to plan your trip
Take time to truly connect and indulge your senses with a stay at NEMA Design Hotel & Spa, where every detail is designed for peace, privacy and exceptional moments. Discover more at nemacrete.com
Feature image: NEMA Design Hotel & Spa
