Minos Palace Resort

Perched on a small peninsula with Mirabello Bay on nearly every side, this adults-only resort pulls off a convincing private-island feeling despite sitting a mile from the town of Agios Nikolaos. Rooms range from doubles to suites with private pools, and every one comes with a terrace. The infinity pool is the obvious gathering point. A Michelin Key holder, it mixes Cretan craft with contemporary design and keeps several restaurants and bars running, from fine dining to casual seaside.