Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa
Sleek, eco-conscious luxury with strong Greek design DNA. Bold interiors, bespoke furniture, infinity pools, and a quietly cosmopolitan atmosphere. Not a party hotel — it skews toward guests who want privacy and sea views over nightlife.
Pool heating costs €60/day extra — worth booking ahead if you're there in May or October when temps dip
Why It Matters
116 rooms and suites all feature private pools overlooking Elounda Bay. Dining is curated by Lefteris Lazarou, Greece's first Michelin-starred chef. The resort is the closest hotel in the area to Spinalonga Island, and its eco-friendly terraced design — shaped by Italian designer Gian Paolo Venier — has made it one of the most visually distinctive new properties in Crete.
Cayo sits on a terraced hillside above Plaka village on Crete's northeastern coast, with Spinalonga Island — a former leper colony and UNESCO World Heritage Site nominee — sitting right in its sightlines. Every single room and suite has a private pool and sea views. The resort runs from May 4 to October 31, and dining is overseen by Lefteris Lazarou, Greece's first Michelin-starred chef. Italian designer Gian Paolo Venier handled the interiors: think geometric shapes, custom furniture, and a modern-meets-Cretan sensibility that doesn't lean too hard on either direction.
Where You'll Stay
11 room types available
Executive Room – Private Pool – Sea View
Mid-tier room with a private pool and elevated interior finishes. A step above the Superior in space and decor detail while keeping the same panoramic Spinalonga sightlines.
Queen or TwinExecutive Suite – Private Pool – Sea View
50m² interior with a 45m² furnished veranda. The master bedroom has a double or twin bed; the living room fits two additional guests on sofa beds. One private freshwater pool with sunbeds, outdoor shower, and a dining table for al fresco meals. Views straight to Spinalonga.
Queen or Twin + 2 sofa beds · 50 sqmFamily Duplex – Private Pool – Sea View
Two-level unit with one bedroom on the upper floor and a cozy living area that converts to sleeping space on the lower level — sofa bed configuration. Note: only suitable for children over 5 due to the internal staircase. Private pool included.
Queen or Twin (upper) + Sofa bed (lower)Family Retreat Room – Private Pool – Sea View
Designed specifically for larger families. Private pool, sea views, and a layout that accommodates up to 5 adults comfortably.
Queen/Twin with additional sleeping configurationsGrand Suite – Two Private Pools – Sea View
The resort's flagship. 90m² inside, 115m² outside, two king bedrooms each with direct pool access. One pool has a full outdoor dining area for private dinners or BBQs; the other has sunbeds for pure relaxation. Two 15m² freshwater pools total. Maximum four guests, and it shows — this is serious space.
Two King beds · 90 sqmPremium Room – Private Pool – Sea View
Top tier of the Room (non-suite) category. Private pool, sea views, and more elevated finishes. Positioned as the premium option before stepping into suite territory.
Queen or TwinPrestige 3 Bedroom Family Pool Suite – Sea View
The resort's largest family option at 125m² across three levels. Top floor has the main king bedroom with en-suite; ground floor adds a second bedroom and living space; the lower level has a twin/double, a cinema-size TV, and workout equipment. One private pool on the terrace. Sleeps up to 6.
King + Twin/Double across levels · 125 sqmSuperior Family Room – Private Pool – Sea View
The family-oriented take on the Superior category. Private pool, sea views, and a layout designed to accommodate extra guests comfortably.
Queen or TwinSuperior Room – Private Pool – Sea View
Steps up from the entry Superior with the addition of a private pool and outdoor shower on the veranda. All the same interior features — marble bath, custom furniture, Spinalonga views — with the added seclusion of your own plunge space.
Queen or TwinSuperior Room – Sea View
The entry-level room and the only category without a private pool. At 33m² inside, it's the most compact option, but the 20m² veranda with dining table makes up for it — you still get the full Spinalonga Island view. Queen bed or twin configuration. Marble bathrooms, custom headboards, bespoke color and lighting schemes. Good for travelers who don't need the pool privacy.
Queen or Twin · 33 sqmTwo Bedroom Interconnecting Rooms – Private Pool – Sea View
Two connected Superior rooms with a shared private pool — ideal for families who want separate sleeping spaces but a shared outdoor area. Max occupancy is 5 adults.
Two Queen/Twin configurationsThe Property
Eat & Drink
8 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Learn to create fragrances, cosmetic creams, and olive oil soaps using Crete's native botanicals under expert guidance.
Meet local cheesemakers and learn to make varieties like Galomyzithra, Graviera, and Xinomyzithra firsthand.
Hands-on class with local experts. Pick fresh ingredients, learn traditional recipes, and eat your creations.
Expert-led wine events exploring indigenous and international grape varieties grown organically on Crete. Paired with Greek meze and traditional appetizers.
Sensory journey through Greece's prized Extra Virgin Olive Oil — production processes, cultivar differences, and traditional cooking uses.
The traditional Cretan spirit-making ceremony — discovering the art of distilling raki, paired with local delicacies.
Weekly in-house event (Sundays 19:00–22:00) featuring authentic Cretan music and traditional dances. Pre-booking required.
Weekly Friday evening event (19:00–22:00) — themed seafood dinner with live music.
An outdoor marble-built amphitheater hosts cultural performances and events under the stars throughout the season.
Fleet of 14 electric vehicles (Tesla, VW, Opel, Peugeot) available for rental periods of 1–3, 4–7, or 8+ days. Book online ahead of arrival. 11 on-site charging stations.
Access to over 100 marked routes administered by the municipality of Agios Nikolaos. Forests, mountain peaks, and deep gorges.
The Peza climbing area is 12km east of Agios Nikolaos — four imposing rock faces (Minoas, Talos, Istronas, Panas) with routes of varying difficulty and panoramic views of Mirabello Bay.
Charter a private boat to explore hidden coves and secluded spots along the coastline. Anchor for swimming in remote spots.
Crystal-clear waters with excellent visibility and warm temperatures. Multiple local dive operators offer sessions for all levels.
Sail from Plaka harbor on a traditional wooden caique to explore the coastline's hidden coves.
Range of sea sports including water skiing, jet skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and wakeboarding. Available near the beach area.
Daily boat trips depart from Plaka harbor to explore Spinalonga Island — a historically layered site spanning Minoan, Hellenistic, Venetian, and Ottoman periods, and the last leper colony in Europe (closed 1957). The resort is the closest hotel in the area to the island.
Held at the resort's two-level Fitness Area with outdoor yoga studio. Contact reception to schedule sessions.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Cayo's reserved section on Plaka's pebble beach, 250m from the resort. Complimentary sunbeds, gazebos, beach towels, and umbrellas. Beach shuttle runs 10:00–19:00. Stone Beach bar on site.
Three meeting rooms: Orion (main, up to 100 guests), Sirios (12 guests), and Epicuros (8 guests). Decorated foyer for break-out space.
Exclusive butler service available for suites on request, at an additional fee.
Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the resort.
Complimentary buffet breakfast at Ambrosia restaurant daily, 07:00–10:30.
Marble-built outdoor amphitheater hosting cultural performances and events throughout the season.
11 on-site EV charging stations: four near reception (max 22kW total), six in guest parking (max 44kW total), and one rapid 30kW SUNGROW charger. Charging cards from reception.
Dedicated children's play area with toys on site.
State-of-the-art gym with cardio and strength equipment. Main fitness room open 24h. Gym (full facility) open 10:00–18:00. Separate two-level fitness area with outdoor yoga studio.
Room service available 07:00–22:30 (food). Luggage transfer on a 24-hour basis. Daily maid service with turn-down.
Free outdoor valet parking service for guests.
Three grand communal swimming pools with sunbeds and umbrellas. Open 10:00–19:00 daily. Maximum depth 1.25m. Lifeguard not on duty.
Every room and suite except the Superior Room Sea View (entry-level) comes with a private freshwater pool. Pool heating available for €60/day, reaching up to 26°C.
Front desk available around the clock. On-call medical assistance available; Agios Nikolaos Hospital 15km away.
On-site boutique featuring clothing and jewelry by innovative Greek designers. Open 17:00–19:00.
Two funiculars running up and down the hillside resort, making it accessible for all guests regardless of mobility.
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Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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