Looking for somewhere warm to just kick back, relax and do as little as possible we probably looked at 100+ boutique hotels and resorts around the Med, until we came across Castello Infinity in Ayia Pelagia and something from the pictures and reviews said ”this was the one”. And it certainly did not let us down in a delightful and relaxing week. Everything we could have asked for and more. The Hotel is only twenty minutes around the headland from the airport at Heraklion and we’d strongly recommend a taxi transfer that delivers you to the door. 20 minutes from walking out of arrivals at the airport. The hotel is sited at one end of the calm bay and beach-front of Ayia Pelagia, which itself is a small but delightful village nestled against the clear blue waters of Crete’s north coast. A very slick, friendly and professional welcome, but more about the fantastic staff at Castello later. We had booked quite late and had an Aquamarine mountain rather than sea view suite, which turned out to be a stroke of luck due to the hotel’s position within the local topography. And thus we found ourselves in room 1201 on the second floor, and being the first room on the corridor enjoying an expansive and more spacious balcony area. The room was a very good size, with fairly minimalist but fitting decor. Important points about any hotel: Pillows - excellent; mattress - verging on the firm side of firm but very comfortable; Shower Pressure - excellent with both a waterfall and hand held shower; Hot Water - plentiful. Add to this plentiful wardrobe and shelving space; coffee machine; safe; a wonderful standalone full length mirror, effective air-con; excellent wi-fi, electronically controlled black out blinds including bedside controls; and the ubiquitous large TV - not that we flew to Crete to watch television. Lovely bathroom; both room and beach towels provided. Everything pristinely clean. Big tick. But somewhat pales in comparison when you step out onto the west facing and spacious balcony. Two very comfortable sun loungers, a spacious area for the table and two chairs; and the piece de resistance the plunge pool glistening in the sun. A good size being probably around 3m long and 1.75m across. 180 degree view from the balcony taking in the fairly steep hillsides rising up from the village and giving a spectacular view of the beach front and much of the bay. Given the aspect somewhat shaded in the morning, but the table and plunge pool picked up the sun from mid morning, and the whole balcony not long thereafter until the sun started to set behind the mountains. Whilst not the more premium suites offered by the hotel we’d much prefer this over the ground floor mezzanine suites. On the tick list: Balcony even bigger tick. The restaurant and bar area is mainly outside on the first floor of the hotel with tables set to offer a wonderful view of the beach front and sea. Breakfast has a fairly extensive and delightful menu, plus a buffet for fr
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