Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa - Adults Only

Our take

Maldives, is that you? We almost had to check when we stepped foot in this place, because that's 100% what it felt like. Fancy isn't usually our vibe, but we could get used to this. In fact, when we got back to the office, we couldn't stop banging on about this place. If Laura from Marketing has to hear "but you could close the curtains with a REMOTE CONTROL," one more time, her head might actually explode.

It's a bit on the spenny side, but when you've got late-night room service, a mahoosive waterpark and more restaurants than you can count on one hand included, who's to complain? Not us, our mouths are too full of gyros for that. And if the 5* royal treatment feels a bit much, you'll still have your trusty holiday comforts to fall back on. Turns out you're never too posh for a poolside Guinness or a rotating toast machine...

Hotel highlights

• Sorry kids, but Stella Island Luxury Resort is Adults-only

• It's so huge there are golf buggies to help you get from A to B!

• Overwater bungalows with total Maldives vibes

• So Instagrammable even your dad could do it - we said what we said

• Floating breakfasts that can be delivered to your private pool (the boujeeist sentence we've ever said)

• Entertainment seven nights a week, tip from us: Head to Paraiso for a delish cocktail first

• A crazy amount of restaurants, and you can visit each one of 'em thanks to the amazing All-Inclusive package

## Adults Only (15+) ##

Location

• A short walk from the beach - save your steps though, the golf buggies will have you there in a flash

• Across the road from Stella Waterland - you can literally see it from the hotel

• A 20-minute drive from Heraklion Airport - a quick scroll through TikTok and you'll be here

• 2.5 hours away from Chania International Airport - a bit of a longer commute, but nothing a good Netflix series can't fix

Rooms

• Luxury Pool View Rooms - hello, huge balcony alert! These rooms come with all the luxurious bells and whistles along with the best views of the pool complex

• Premium Pool View - super spacious in the room, and on the balcony with uh-mazing tropical decor, if you need interior inspo, just look right here

• Premium Pool View with Exterior Jacuzzi and Premium Pool View with Steam Baths - just taking it up a notch, you don't need to go down to the spa, the spa vibes are coming right to your room

• Luxury Swim-Up Rooms - there's no need to set your alarm to bag a sunbed by the pool - with these rooms it's right on your doorstep! Why walk back to your room when you could swim?

• Premium Swim-Up Rooms - Maldives who? These rooms let you run and jump straight into the pool, and your own private terrace with extremely comfy sunbeds (they scream mid-afternoon snooze)

• Overwater Bungalows - how does it feel to stay in Stella Island's most Instagrammable room? These feature a poolside deck (perfect for socialising!), and a hammock that everyone wants a photo in.

• Island Villas with Private Pool - we stayed in this room type and can confirm, they're next level. Picture a huge feature bed, a Jacuzzi bath and a private pool you can actually swim in - not just dip your toes in!

• Pocket-sized travel journal in all rooms, with good-to-know Greek phrases, best beaches in the area and blank pages to fill in during your stay!

• Fully-stocked mini fridge with Fanta Lemon. Yep, we're all about the important stuff.

• Fluffy pool towels

• Flat-screen TV with a range of channels, from Sky News to MTV

• Private toilet and shower cubicles with an open-plan sink area in the main bedroom - complete with a huge mirror!

• Bathrobes and slippers so you can get cosy

• Hairdryer - no need to stuff one into your suitcase!

• Safety deposit box

• Tea and coffee facilities, so you can start your day with a brew on the balcony

• Iron and ironing board - get those pesky suitcase crinkles out

• Room service - practically all-day dining in your room, we know how nice the rooms are, so we don't blame you

Did you know?

Stella Island has its own signature scent. We noticed during our stay that all of the rooms smell AMAZING, and it turns out the hotel has its own signature-scented cleaning products. In fact, they smell so good that guests often ask if they're available to buy! We're crossing our fingers. Who doesn't want their home to smell like a hotel?!

Food & Drink

• All-Inclusive everything - yep, you read that right. Everything at this hotel really is included, with six restaurants to choose from, an extensive room service menu and a fully-stocked minibar. In fact, the all-inclusive concept is SO GOOD here, that it's not unheard of for half-board and full-board guests to ask to switch once they arrive! That's one serious case of FOMO.

• Kimata Greek buffet restaurant - Mediterranean cuisine served fresh at breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a few 'Stella' touches, like fruit-infused water (boujee) at breakfast and show-cooking stations. The relaxing music and top-tier resort views give this place immaculate vibes

• Oceania seafood terrace restaurant - prepare to be blown away by stunning views, and even more stunning food. If you fancy a romantic meal under the stars, this place has a retractable roof, there's literally nowhere better.

• Umami Asian restaurant - where Lazy Susan will be your BFF, we ain't talking about a random woman called Susan, we mean the cool spin feature on the table. So you can get a bunch of sharing dishes and help yourself to it all (tbf the food is so good, you almost won't wanna share). Save room for dessert though, they are epic. We're talking chocolate with Stella Island name printed on, yeah, proper extra.

• La Parilla Grill Restaurant - this might be a grill restaurant, but we stopped by here for dinner and there was something for everyone - from cooked-to-order steak to mushroom risotto and chargrilled chicken. This is also a quieter option for breakfast, with ALL the staples, from the much-loved toast machine to baked beans and even chips! Plus, if you head downstairs in this block you'll find courtesy rooms with showers if you're already checked out but need to freshen up. They really do think of everything.

• Vegera Cretan restaurant - when in Crete, right? If you want a taste of traditional Aegean cuisine, then the menu at this restaurant won't disappoint. It's even set in a peaceful location surrounded by olive trees to really set the scene.

• Makuti poolside bar - you can step straight from the water to this bar, whether you're craving a post-swim cocktail or a bite to eat. Top tip: if you oversleep and miss breakfast, you can enjoy brunch here from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. There's even Guinness! Winner.

• Cabana poolside lounge bar - a place to enjoy light snacks, refreshing drinks and chilled-out beats in lounge-style chairs by the pool. Need we say more?

• Utopia all-day lounge - your favourite fine wines, spirits and cocktails served by the pool, in the perfect spot to catch the sunset in the evening.

• Umbra-shaded poolside bar - premium spirits and expertly crafted cocktails served poolside, with a unique cross-hatched dome roof for shade.

• Paraiso - all-round good vibes here, lively entertainment, music blasting and stunning sunset views

• Floating Breakfast - this place is all about that unique experience, so you don't have to flip-flop your way to brekkie, you can have it delivered to your private pool or to one of the lagoon pools. If you want to Instagram story anything, it needs to be this!

(Psst: Look out for our favourite Tropical Island cocktails - made with rum, lime and sugar syrup.)

Sports & Entertainment

• Iconic lagoon-style pool complex with palm-tree-covered 'islands' (ultimate tropical vibes) and surrounding daybeds for the perfect sunbathing spot.

• State-of-the-art gym equipment with classes included and a daily special fitness programme with professional trainers

• Anassa spa with Elemis products (proper fancy) and organic vegan products from the Spanish brand, Sepia. You can even take your pick from different ingredients to whip up your own day cream. With an indoor pool with panoramic views, a sizzling sauna and relaxing jacuzzi tub, you'll literally wanna chill here all day.

• Local bike rides are available if you fancy exploring more of the area on the open road (extra charges apply)

• Entertainment every night - there's never a dull moment at Stella Island, with live performances, music and dance routines seven nights a week. Head to Paraiso for around 10:30 p.m. to grab a cocktail and a table with a good view of the poolside stage.

• FREE Wi-Fi - we told you how Instagrammable this place is, and thanks to the on-site Wi-Fi, you don't need to waste any time in sharing your snaps with the world. Go on, make 'em jealous.

Stella Waterland

Who said waterparks are just for kids? This hotel is just 1 minute away from Stella Waterland - the enormous waterpark shared between the three Stella hotels. If you're looking for fun, you've come to the right place. Expect:

• Swimming pools

• Aqua tubes and tunnel slides

• Transparent slide so you can admire the view on your way down!

• A slide with two different tubes so you can pick your own route

• Slides with vertical drops, uphill routes, centrifugal ride routes, high-speed racing and more

• 16-metre high tower

• Free fall slide

• Two splash buckets

• 105 interactive water toys

• Pool bar, street food bar and dessert corner.