Amirandes Grecotel Boutique Resort, Heraklion

Pros

• The service and hospitality go above and beyond here: the staff wants all the guests to feel like they're taken care of and receiving personalized treatment.
• The hotel's stone, wood, and marble structures mimic the landscape.
• A private beach is available for hotel guests.
• Guests can savor authentic Cretan cuisine in the hotel's restaurants and even book a table on one of the lagoons. 

Cons

• The location may feel secluded to some, as it's between Heraklion and Hersonissos.
• Some areas could use upkeep—past guests suggested replacing gym equipment and cleaning the kids' pool more thoroughly.
• The pool and common areas can be noisy and busy, especially when lots of children are staying at the resort. 

Additional Notes

Full disclosure: I am not a resort person, but now I'm not so sure after my visit to the Amirandes. Perhaps the huge jar of locally made Cretan thyme honey and plate of homemade cookies that manager Nikolaos gave me as a parting gift changed my mind. Really, it was the generosity and hospitality of the staff, combined with the stunning property, that showed me how Amirandes isn't like other places. It's a luxury resort where the luxury comes mainly from the staff. 

Authenticity

The Amirandes isn't like your typical resort: it seems to be a part of the land it sits on. When it opened in 2007, it was the only one of its kind to take this organic approach. Modeled after a Minoan palace, its stone and wooden buildings and water fixtures reflect the surrounding Cretan landscape. As manager Nikolaos describes it, the resort follows the flow from the mountains behind it to the sea in front to create a sense of good energy, as seen in the arrangement of its lagoons.

If there's one thing that's as authentically Cretan as its landscape, it's hospitality, and that is where the Amirandes shines. There's a sense of warmth and connection here, as the staff goes out of their way to meet your needs and to do so with the occasional delicious Cretan pastry or cup of tea.

Location

Located in the beach town of Gouves, the Amirandes offers easy access to Heraklion and Knossare, about 20 minutes away by car. Hersonissos is a popular beach resort town filled with hotels, restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. It's just 10 minutes away by car if you can pull yourself away from the peace and quiet of Amirandes.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The 212 rooms of this resort run the gamut in size and amenities like private pools, but they all share spaciousness, luxury, and comfort in their bright and warm spaces. The most basic type is the standard room, which easily sleeps two people. The resort is kid-friendly, and there are a variety of family room options, such as the standard luxury room, which can accommodate one child or the family room suite with a private swimming pool. 

The hotel has a "villa village" with 18 villas. These are good options for couples, families, or friends who want to experience an extra level of luxury and privacy. If you want something special, check out the Royal Residence Villa. This massive complex houses up to four people and includes its own massage room, a hot tub, Minoan-style palatial objects like a carved dining table, and a cave where you can watch movies and have a butler wait on you from the fully equipped kitchen.

Amenities

Guests have access to the hotel's Olympic-sized saltwater infinity pool with sea views and overwater gazebos at the front of the resort. Near the large pool is a kids' freshwater pool. Many sunbeds and umbrellas surround the main pool, and food and drinks are served. Like the hotel, the pools are open seasonally from April to October. The oceanfront spa has seven treatment rooms, and massages are available on the beach. Other amenities at Amirandes include fitness and yoga classes, tennis courts, a padel court, volleyball, and a large gym. There's also a library with books and media to borrow.

Family-Friendliness

Kids under age 12 stay free, and the resort is popular with families. Amirandes has many kid-friendly amenities: mini golf, an outdoor playground, swimming lessons, table tennis, and two kids' clubs for older and younger kids. Restaurants have kids' menus and high chairs. An online order form allows travelers to reserve baby equipment, including free cribs, bathtubs, bedrails, bouncy chairs, and more.

Other Highlights

The hotel has seven on-site restaurants and two bars. Amirandes is the main restaurant, where an included breakfast buffet is served. Its dining areas encircle the hotel's ornamental lagoon. 
Minotaur, a lagoon-facing restaurant, has an Italian-inspired menu,
Oceanfront Lago di Candia is grill-focused, and Xasteria offers a village-style Cretan menu. Other venues offer Asian fusion, poolside dining, and sushi and cocktails on the beach.