You’ve no doubt seen and longed to visit Want a Maldives-style holiday without the huge price tag? Well you can now swap your south Asian trip for a break in Greece instead.
While you may be thinking that this is not quite the tropical paradise you may have imagined, this hotel has been branded the new Maldives.
And it offers an incredible over-water stay at a much cheaper cost.
The new holiday spot in town is in the Stella Island Resort, which is located in Aposelemis, a municipality in Crete.
The 225-room adults only hotel boasts overwater bungalows, which looks like the ones you’d see in the Maldives.
Paradise: The five-star Sun Siyam Iru Fushi in the Maldives. It is a 52-acre private island with white powder beaches and turquoise waters
A fancy hotel resort in Greece has been dubbed the new Maldives – and rooms are available for a much cheaper price
The The Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa is a five-star, adults-only resort which considers itself ‘a heaven on earth, a temple of relaxation and soul recreation’
Special villas will set you back £648 per night in the school holidays or £341 in mid-October
The resort has earned itself an ‘excellent’ rating on Tripadvisor, with an overall score of 4.5 out of five
And there’s nothing that pleases holiday goers more than seeing the words ‘adults only’ on a hotel’s website.
In this unique hotel, which is basically a heaven on earth, you can be pampered inn any way you like wit their benefits and services – and it is simply the cherry on the cake.
The ‘Over Water Bungalow’ is one of a whole multitude of accommodation options offered by the resort, which has a total of 225 rooms.
And if you’re looking to splash an extra bit of cash, there’s also rooms such as the Grand Over Water Bungalow with Jacuzzi, Island Villa Private Pool and Premium Swim Up.
The website reads: ‘These Over Water Bungalows add an extra dimension to a holiday on Stella Island Luxury Resort: decorated with wood and glass, in tropical scenery, guests have direct access down from each sunbathing deck to the pool. The bathroom consist of a walk-in shower and double sinks.’
And if this hasn’t won you over, there are also five restaurants, a giant pool and state-of-the-art spa.
Guest can also spend time at the spa, which offers massages, manicures, pedicures and facials.
Scuba diving and sailing opportunities are available nearby too, which is great if you’re looking for an alternative to the Indian Ocean that surrounds the Maldives.
The bungalows are decorated in wood and glass with tropical scenery and a private deck and looks just as amazing as the real deal in the Maldives
Holidaymakers can enjoy dinner at one of the resort’s five restaurants. These include a party garden, a venue offering traditional Cretan food, an Asian restaurant, cocktail cabana and an all day lounge
Depending on what time of the year you visit, the price of an Over Water Bungalow can be as low as £299 per night, which, although still fairly hefty in price, is a much more affordable option for those who dream of the luxurious stays in the Maldives.
In mid-October, the cost rises to £341 a night and it surges to £648 in the school holiday period.
The resort has an ‘Excellent’ rating of 4.5 out of five on Tripadvisor.
And guests that have booked at Stella Island Resort have raved about the hotel, and have likened it to the five-star Sun Siyam Iru Fushi in the Maldives, which is a 52-acre private island with white powder beaches and turquoise waters.
The luxury hotel in the Maldivan capital, Malé is a haven for families or groups of friends.
From drinking in the adults-only infinity pool to kitesurfing over the crystal waters of the Indian Ocean, or diving, it’s the place to be.
Writing a review on Tripadvisor on the Stella Island Resort, ohappy tourist gushed: ‘A Maldives experience in the Mediterranean sea.
‘Although built 100 meters from the sea, the architects managed to convince us that we were living on a Maldives island – in the ocean, sleeping on the surface of blue clean water.’
And a second guest put: ‘The best experience ever , better than the Maldives, I never thought I’d say this!!’
One visitor said: ‘Having stayed at many 5 star hotels across Europe Stella Island does not disappoint. The reception staff are very attentive and despite other reviews suggesting otherwise the check in process was quick and easy. We stayed in both an overwater bungalow and a private villa with a pool which IMO is a lot more private and worth every euro for the pool alone…’
The luxury hotel also has a giant swimming pool and state-of-the-art spa, all while being situated on the enviable northern coast of Crete
Located just a stones-throw away from the hotel, there are a whole array of activities such as trekking, horse riding and scuba diving
The real stars of the show are the overwater bungalows, which each feature their own private sunbathing decks overlooking the pool
They added: ‘Both Guest relations and the management staff in particular George Syrmos are extremely attentive and will deal with any issues professionally and courteously.
‘I can’t find any reason if I’m honest why we wouldn’t return to Stella island.’
Meanwhile, a fourth person wrote: ‘Amazing time! Amazing hotel … so unique! All inclusive, with extraordinary food, kind personnel, good vibes, very relaxing and at the same time energy boosting! A must go!!!’
And another said: ‘Well I really don’t know where to start! This is a real slice of paradise. The overall design of this hotel is stunning.
‘I have never stayed somewhere as beautiful as this, it almost feels as though the whole hotel is floating on water.’
While another pleased visitor commented: ‘Everything is perfect in every possible grade setting. This is the best place I have ever visited. The same as the maldives!! The most accurate in the smallest details.’
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