Activities
- Istron Bay Hotel organizes cooking courses where guests learn to cook based on local recipes. This includes the buy of fresh fruit, vegetables, and herbs in the market, the preparation of the dishes under the guidance of the master chef in a relaxed atmosphere. When the dishes are ready, guests get together to socialize and enjoy the variety of flavors that they have prepared. Guests can also take the cooking exams and once they succeed they get a certification from the "Greek Academy of taste" that confirms their knowledge of Greek cuisine.
- The Hotel organizes a lot of sports activities for its guests. The program includes aerobic, stretching, water gymnastics, beach volleyball, water ball, and dance courses.
- The Hotel has also a tennis court, guests have the option to play tennis from early in the morning till late in the evening under floodlights or for them they would like to have some tennis lessons (on charge).
- The Istron bay is ideal for water sports, the hotel has water sports facilities for surfing, water skiing, pedal boating and canoeing, and also banana boat and water rings.
- Swim. Enjoy some superb beaches in this part of Crete. The first beach on the west of Kalo Chorio Village, 1km west of the village, is a very quiet sandy beach of the area called Karavostasi and is ideal for relaxing moments. All around there are many tamarisks, carob and olive trees. In the same bay, east of Karavostasi unfolds the second beach of Saint Panteleimon. Saint Panteleimon gets its name from the homonym picturesque church built on the beach. The beach is sandy and well organized with umbrellas, showers, water sports, etc. A good spot for windsurfing. The second bay of Istron is located 500m east of the village. Here is one of the most beautiful beaches of Crete, Greece Voulisma or Golden Beach is a beautiful beach with white sand and amazing turquoise waters. The only drawback is that when it is wavy, the streams move rubbish here. Then you can move to the smaller beach in the west part of the bay, which is very well protected from winds and less organized. Another beach is located 1km east of Istron and is well hidden in a steep bay. The beach is called Pilos but is widely known as Istron Bay, after the homonym hotel that is built on the steep slopes of the Gulf. While it seems private, there is a path leading to the beach starting from the west of the hotel. Furthermore, you should keep in mind that there are no private beaches in Greece. The beach is sandy and has calm blue waters. It is well organized with umbrellas and pool bars (from the hotel) and there is a small jetty for boats. Between Voulisma and Pilos beach, there is a small peninsula, where you can visit the small pebbly beach of Hartalami Kolimbos, unknown to most people. Lastly, east of Istron bay there is a very small cove with three remote beaches, accessed only on foot via a short path. The beaches are named Vryonisi (or Prasonisi), after the small Vryonisi (or Prasonisi) islet that is formed just opposite the small bay.Discover the city of Agios Nikolaos. The church of Agios Nikolaos has given the multi-faceted town its current name. The famously deep "lake" is a natural congregating point for waterfront cafes and eating places. Shops cover a range of styles, interesting items can be found on sale in the town center. Cafes cater to tastes from regular nightlife to a literary bent.
- Nearby attractions include Kritsa village and Katharos plateau - and the wonderfully scenic "corniche" coastal route to Sitia. Good beaches within the town and on the east coast.
- Chrissi or Gaidouronisi is called the small island in the south part of Crete. This is the island with the famous white-pink sandy beach. Take the boat from Ierapetra 35km from Agios Nikolaos, for a daily cruise to this small paradise.
- Enjoy a full-day excursion at the palm forest of Vai on the eastern side of Crete. This is the only palm forest in Europe and it ends up to a nice sandy beach, one of the best on the island. Please note that the beach is full of sunbeds and umbrellas and also full of tourists (early morning, late afternoon, spring, or end of Summer is highly suggested).
- On the way back don't miss visiting the Toplou Monastery to admire the view. This is one of the most well-organized monasteries, that produces olive oil and also excellent quality wine.
- Take the boat from Elounda or Plaka for a mini cruise to Spinalonga island, an ex lepra colony. Spinalonga became even more famous because of the book " The Island". If you decide to visit the island, we suggest you come here early in the morning or late in the afternoon because of the high temperate during the day.
- More uplifting activities in East Crete.
House Rules
- Check-in: 14.00 pm
- Check out: 12.00 pm
- Minimum Stay: 2-3 nights, depending on the season
- Payment Policy:
Credit card details (Visa or MasterCard) are required to charge the deposit amount (25%) in order to confirm the reservation.
No additional charges will be made to the credit card unless cancellation charges have to be applied.
The Balance amount is to be paid 5 days before arrival day.
- Cancellation Policy ( June-July-August) :
Cancellation in more than 4 weeks before arrival - full refund of deposit.
Less than 4 weeks and more than 15 days before arrival: the deposit is no longer refundable.
Less than 15 days and more than 3 days before arrival: the deposit is not refunded and 50% of the balance will be charged also.
Less than 3 days before arrival / No show: the deposit is not refunded and the full balance will be charged in addition.
Departure before booked departure date: at the hotel's discretion, the full balance may be charged by the hotel.
Cancellation Policy (April - May - September - October) :
Cancellation in more than 4 weeks before arrival - full refund of deposit.
Less than 4 weeks and more than 15 days before arrival: the deposit is no longer refundable.
Less than 15 days and more than 3 days before arrival: the deposit is not refunded and 30% of the balance will be charged in addition.
Less than 3 days before arrival / No show: the deposit is not refunded and 60% of the balance will be charged in addition -- except in 1-night stays, where the full balance will be charged.
Departure before booked departure date: at the hotel's discretion, the full balance may be charged by the hotel.
MHTE: 1040K015A0088700
How To Get There
Istron Bay Hotel is ideally situated in a privileged setting at Istron Village nearby Agios Nikolaos of Crete.
- By Air
From May through October there are direct charter and scheduled flights to Heraklion airport (86km from the villas) or Chania airport (225 km). Tickets can be bought in advance for almost all flights via our partner website.
- By Sea
If you love traveling by ferry, reserve a flight to Athens and then from Piraeus port to Heraklion( 90 km ), by ferry it takes 8 hours and the ferries are really good. Tickets can be bought in advance for all ferries via our partner website.
- By Car
If you want to explore the region while you're here, we recommend that you rent a car, other means of transport are limited and/or infrequent. We suggest our sister website Crete-Car-Rental.com, which offers competitive prices and you can collect your car at either airport.
- By Taxi
Book your taxi transfer online easily and safely from the airport or port to any location via our partner website.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through CreteTravel.com
Facilities
- Dining: Guests can enjoy their meals in four different restaurants and have a drink in two different bars. In the restaurant guests have a choice can between traditional, modern, gourmet, vegetarian cuisine.
- Internet Access: WiFi throughout ( extra charge ).
- Beach: A 600 m long beach secluded and protected from intruders, mostly with white sand and pebbles. Small jetty for the boats of the hotel and guests.
- Swimming Pool: The pool (28.5m x 12m), with salted water, is on the upper floor, and from that point the view to the bay is magnificent.
- Spa Treatments: In-room massage and spa treatments available on request.
- Meetings/Functions: The Istron Bay Hotel has two conference rooms. The "Athenaios" room can hold up to 120 persons, and the "Mithaikos" room can take up to 40 persons.
- Disabled Access: Not suitable.
- Pets: Not allowed.
- Languages Spoken: Greek, English, German, French.
- Parking: Private on-site parking is provided free of charge.
- Air condition: in every room.
- Conference Room: Ariadni for 120 people
- Tennis court with floodlight
