Paralos & the Magic of Crete: A Love Letter to Greek Escapes

There’s a certain kind of magic in Greece. You don’t just see it — you feel it. In the way the breeze carries the scent of wild thyme and sun-warmed lemons. In the unhurried rhythm of the waves. In the warmth of the smiles that greet you like an old friend returning home.

My recent journey to Crete, spent discovering the elegant ease of the Paralos Hotels, was one of those trips that settles into your soul and stays there.

Paralos Kosta Alímia – Where the Sea Whispers & the Soul Softens It’s been almost a month, but I can still feel it — the soft hush of the Aegean brushing against golden sands, the salt-kissed breeze dancing on my skin, and the quiet luxury of simply being.

Paralos Kosta Alímia, a serene, adults-only retreat tucked into Anissaras Beach, is where time slowed and beauty spoke in subtleties. Earthy textures, natural light, and views that melt into the sea — everything here is designed to soothe, not shout. Even the food, elegant and unfussy, felt like a celebration of the land and sea.

This is not just a hotel — it’s a feeling. A sanctuary. And with its well-deserved 2025 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award, placing it among the top 10% of hotels worldwide, the secret is officially out.

A heartfelt thank you to Markos Avlonitis and the ever-wonderful Katerina Chrysikopoulou for creating something so special, and for making us feel truly cherished.

Paralos Lifestyle Beach – Simplicity, Sophistication, and Sea Breezes Just five kilometres from the energy of Heraklion, Paralos Lifestyle Beach offers a different kind of escape — stylish and serene, effortlessly grown-up.

Set along the soft sands of Amoudara, the resort felt like a whispered conversation between modern minimalism and timeless Mediterranean charm. Whitewashed walls, palm-fringed pools, and rooms that invite you to exhale.

Mornings began with slow stretches in the outdoor gym, afternoons drifted by in a blur of sea breeze and rosé, and evenings… oh, the evenings. Dinner at Armonia Restaurant — seafood, wine, waves — was a love story in every bite.

This is the kind of place that doesn’t shout about luxury. It doesn’t need to. It simply is.

Paralos Irini Mare – Hidden on the South Coast, Held in My Heart Then there was Paralos Irini Mare, tucked away in the charming harbour village of Agia Galini, on Crete’s wilder, quieter southern coast.

Here, bougainvillaea spills over sun-drenched walls, the scent of herbs hangs in the air, and the pace of life is gloriously slow. A hotel that feels more like a secret you want to keep — until you realise some places are meant to be shared.

Just footsteps from a quiet pebble beach, and a short walk to the friendly buzz of Agia Galini, this retreat is for those who want to swim, stroll, and simply be.

The food? Fresh, local, and deeply rooted in Cretan tradition — with every bite, a story. The service? Warm and personal. The views? Soul-stirring.

Why Paralos? Across all the properties, the same thread ran true: thoughtful design, genuine warmth, and a deep-rooted love for Crete. And the food — oh, the food! Local, seasonal, cooked with care — every dish felt like an edible postcard from the island.

Each hotel had its own rhythm, its own kind of magic:

Kosta Alímia for soul-deep calm

Lifestyle Beach for elevated elegance

Irini Mare for barefoot bliss and local charm

Would I Go Back? In a heartbeat. Crete has a way of calling you back, and now I’ve found three more reasons to return.

If Greece is whispering your name too — whether you're after sun-drenched romance, a stylish escape with friends, or a slower pace by the sea — I’d love to help you find your perfect corner of the island.

Let’s make your Greek daydreams a reality.

With love, Mrs. S ?? Escape the ordinary. Let me plan your extraordinary.