Alexander Beach Hotel & Village Resort ★★★★★

From the very first moment you step inside the Alexander Beach Hotel & Village Resort, to be greeted by a welcome basket in your room, you will be surrounded by the tastes and smells of the Greek garden. On the balcony, the scent of orange and lemon trees wafts in on the air and you are never far from one of the many bars and tavernas where fruity concoctions await to delight both adults and children. On the beach, after a morning of water sports, volleyball, tennis or simple sun worshiping, what better than a fresh Greek salad or some wild mountain herbs, perhaps with some simple grilled fish, for a delicious lunch? The Cretan sea has its fruits, too!

Relaxing in the spa to recover from all that beach exertion, you will be surrounded by the aromas of Cretan mountain herbs and wild flowers; rosemary, thyme, marjoram, basil and sage all grow abundantly in the garden of Greece and the scent of wild flowers infuses the atmosphere. Let the scent of freesias and jasmine get you in just the right relaxed mood for a toning massage or beauty treatment.

But, of course, the fruits of the garden are most in evidence in the village’s many restaurants and tavernas. Greek cuisine is taken seriously here. Perhaps an appetizer with some local ouzo is a good start! In the main restaurant, Alexandros, overlooking the glorious bay of Malia, choose from a generous buffet for breakfast or dinner, or enjoy the creative à la carte menu. Many of the ingredients have come from the farmland around the village, some from the sea and some from the mountains. The staff are always happy to explain where it all comes from, and proud to offer traditional Greek cuisine from their very own garden of Crete.