Crystal Energy Hotel ★★★★★

Summer is on its way but I can't quite wait that long and so I am cheating a little and sneaking away with my partner to Crete for a cheeky pre-holidays holiday! I have never been to Crete and have dreamed of visiting its varied, rugged landscapes, picturesque fishing villages, ancient cultural heritage and dreamy Aegean Sea for a long time. The largest of the Greek islands, its popularity is balanced by its many tiny coves, beaches and treasures which mean you need only tread a little off the beaten path to find untouched paradisiacal corners. Wherever you go, that quaint, classical authenticity is maintained and respected. We have chosen the intriguingly named Crystal Energy Hotel on the Out Of The Blue Capsis Elite Resort. It is ideally situated in the middle of the island by an idyllic looking fishing village, Aghia Pelagia, and just a short distance from Heraklion – it seems to offer all we could possibly need for a first visit.

The drive to the hotel, along winding rocky roads with the dazzling sea stretching out below, leads us to the huge resort of understated buildings nestled low amongst verdant gardens. Our hotel is perched up at a vantage point from which you can see the cove below. The headland reaches around, mercifully largely untouched, with very few buildings to mar the pretty, rustic view.  Wooden deckchairs beneath white curtained gazebos look out to sea in front of the entrance, which is guarded by tall, square pillars. Inside the cool lobby exudes style and chic with gleaming surfaces, a colourful statue seated elegantly on the front desk, black sofas with fuchsia floral print cushions and a boutique clothes shop.

Soon after, our room reveals to have that same sophisticated, modern art theme. Airy white walls mainly decorated by the glimmering patterns of sunlight from the balcony windows which look directly out onto the glittering sea. A tray with two very tasty fruit cocktails await us and outside is an artfully arranged bowl overflowing with fresh fruit, which makes my mouth water.

The bed has a pair of Dalí-esque red lips hanging above it and large red candles with a gold vase of scarlet flowers on the night stand to set off the crisp white linen. My love cannot resist and flops onto it, looking out through the balcony doors at the blue sky with a very content smile on his lips. With views like this we will have little need of the impressive flat screen television on the wall in front of us. Meanwhile I explore the bathroom - blonde wood doors lead to an enormous walk in shower, just enough room for two... Soft, fluffy dressing gowns hang waiting for us to pad out with damp hair to inhale the morning air and soak up the sun's first rays before going down to feast on the delicious breakfasts. Yet right now we still have the afternoon and evening ahead of us and I want to go for a swim. The promise of a dip in the pool before we brave the sea coaxes my man off the bed and back outside into the glorious warmth.

We wander out into the walled garden with its pond and far flung vistas. One of the most wonderful things about this time of year is the lush green, which has not yet begun to fade in the summer heat. We are in a plush paradise with an array of pools, restaurants, spa treatments, entertainment and the simple, natural wild beauty of the Aegean Sea at our feet. The outdoor pool belonging to our hotel turns put to be the biggest on the resort. It is accompanied by a flourishing fountain display, sending a soft spray across the wooden decking on the gentle breeze and creating a watery haven of sheer relaxation as we listen to the hushed splashing and float on the azure surface. It is the sun beginning to turn a richer gold that breaks me from my trance and I suggest we go down to the beach for an evening swim.

Together we clamber down, the exertion warming us up so that by the time our feet hit the silky sand the glistening sea looks more appealing than ever. We pause there, hand in hand, breathing in the fresh salty air, the terracotta rocks, the quiet tranquillity and the haven of luxury and abundance behind us in this plush, laid back resort. We have been given a list of things we can do here at the reception and a multitude of scenes play out before me. I see us taking our first scuba diving lessons, picnicking on a sail boat and laughing as we awkwardly make our way up a steep hill on donkey back. My whole being tingles with pleasure at the thought of the wonderful experiences that await us. Yet for now it is just us, the sunset and the waves beckoning us in to immerse ourselves in the expanse of blue. The perfect way to christen our stay at the Crystal Energy Hotel.