We first introduced the Istron Bay Hotel to our brochure in 1993, impressed not only by the hotels alluring position but also by its intimate, friendly and distinctly Cretan ambience. The Istron Bay is family-owned and family-run and great steps are taken to make each guest feel special. Since then, we have been delighted by the number of guests who choose to return here year after year. The Istron Bay will suit those who appreciate excellent accommodation and attentive service, but at the same time wish to experience the real Crete. The hotels architecture and interior design cleverly combine all the modern creature comforts with a generous dash of local flavour and the hospitality extended by the staff is unmistakably Cretan. They place great emphasis on serving a choice of healthy, authentic Cretan dishes alongside more international favourites in the hotels restaurant, including a mouth-watering starter buffet of traditional mezes.
In 1997, the Istron Bay ran a series of special interest weeks focusing on Cretan gastronomy and nature. These proved to be such a success that the hotel now offers a range of activities, including a diving centre, for the majority of the season as part of the hotels regular entertainment programme. You will be able to participate in a series of botanical walks, wine tastings and cookery demonstrations, subject to numbers. All these activities are offered to guests free of charge, but for some of the walks away from the immediate area a small contribution to the cost of transport may be levied.
The hotel offers a choice of rooms, all of which are air-conditioned. All double beds are twin beds that have been pushed together and the standard rooms are very comfortable and offer exceptional value for a hotel of this class. Each has a sea-facing balcony or terrace, although the view of the sea may be a little obstructed due to the luxuriant vegetation of the hotels gardens. The superior rooms are slightly larger with a comfortable sitting area. For those seeking an even higher degree of privilege and luxury, as well as privacy, the junior suites are situated slightly away from the main building. These extremely spacious one-room suites have splendid terraces with sea or garden views and luxurious bathrooms. We are also delighted to offer poolside family apartments which consist of an upstairs bedroom and a spacious living room with two divans suitable for children.
Guests in the superior rooms, junior suites and family apartments have the option to dine from the menu in the Meltemi gourmet restaurant, open five days a week, depending on the weather, and enjoy its romantic beachside position and particularly attentive service at no extra cost, while those staying in the standard rooms can do so at a supplement. Knossos and the Heraklion Museum, the palm beach of Vai, the antiquities of Gournia or Mallia, the Lassithi Plateau, the towns of Agios Nikolaos, Sitia and Elounda, or Ierapetra on the south coast - all are readily accessible by bus or by car. But no-one would want to spend all their time exploring and miss the pleasures of whiling away their days within the hotel and its grounds, whether its by relaxing on their own private walled terrace, zooming around the bay on water-skis, plunging into the immaculate pool or just sunbathing on the sandy beach.
4> size="2">Swimming pool4>
size="2">Shared pool: 30x15m, 1-2.2m deep
4> size="2">Location4>
size="2">Approx. walking times: taverna - 5 mins; supermarket - 10 mins; small supermarket in the hotel complex; cashpoint - 25 mins
4> size="2">Transfers4>
size="2">Approx. taxi transfer times: airport - 1hr 15 mins
4> size="2">Extra local charges4>
size="2">Some facilities may incur extra local charges