Mr & Mrs Smith

Paradise Island Villas

Crete, Greece

The family-friendly Paradise Island Villas are scattered between the mountains and Mediterranean, just outside Anissaras. Terracotta tiles and bougainvillea-clad walls lead the way to the earthy interiors of ivory-hued, minimalist design. Outside, private gardens have their own pools, dining areas and Jacuzzi jets.

Need to know

• Rooms 12 villas.
• Rates Double rooms from $280.11 (€223), excluding tax at 11 per cent.
  Prices have been converted from the hotel's local currency (€223), via XE.com, using today's exchange rate.
• More details Rates exclude breakfast (€8.50 each for Continental).
• Facilities Gym, tennis court, playground, book/DVD library and free WiFi. In rooms: flatscreen TV, CD/DVD player, iPod dock, free bottled water, microwave, PC, fridge and coffee maker.
• Poolside There are two outdoor pools, surrounded by palm trees and linen deck chairs.
• Check-out 12pm, but flexible at no cost if there’s availability. Earliest check-in, 2pm.
• Children Cots and extra beds are free. Babysitting costs €15 an hour. There are tennis courts and a children’s playground in the grounds. More...
• Hotel closed November to April.
• Also Lightweight pets (under 5kg only) are allowed. Guests can smoke in any of the outdoor areas.

Food and drink at Paradise Island Villas

• Hotel restaurant Ambrosia dishes up Mediterranean cuisine with a few Greek enhancements here and there. You can’t beat the catch of the day, grilled and served with roasted vegetables. There’s also locally reared lamb to look out for, and make sure you leave room for the loukoumades (a doughnut-like dessert with honey and ice-cream). The room is bright, with decorative ladders hanging on the walls. The poolside restaurant is mostly outside, so expect a light and airy setting, with views of the mountains in the distance. Poolside barbecues happen every week.
• Dress code The temperature rises around here: floaty and feminine for Mrs Smith, crisp cotton for Mr Smith.
• Top table Base your preference on proximity to the pool – close up to see the swimmers, or splash-proof at the back.
• Last orders Leisurely breakfasts take place between 9am and 12pm; lunch is served between 12pm and 5pm; dinner is 7pm until 11pm. The bar shuts at midnight.
• Room service Breakfast, lunch and drinks can be ordered from 9am up until 7pm.
• Hotel bar The ultra-modern poolside bar is decked out with hanging stainless steel lights and azure-coloured sidelighting to match the turquoise water. Try the local wines and champagne punch. It’s chilled out to the max (in fact, watch the soothing Greek sounds don’t send you to sleep).

Paradise Island Villas Anissaras, Hersonissos, Crete, 70014