HOTELS • August 2018
Europe’s stand-out beachfront hotels
Want to roll out of bed, straight onto a beach? Cosmopolitan travel editor Amanda Statham reveals her five favourite resorts where nothing comes between you, the sand and the sea
Best for style: Domes of Elounda Villa & Residences, Crete
‘Stunning’ is a word often used to describe this hillside hotel, topped by a helicopter landing pad and ending at a Blue Flag strip of sand lapped by the shimmering Med. Pools, four restaurants (don’t miss steak and lobster night at Blends), a spa with treatments using local herbs, and various places to stay (from art deco-style rooms to enormous luxury residences with kitchens and pools) cascade down olive tree-clad slopes at this fabulous resort, a great choice for friends, families, even honeymooners. Doubles from €205.
Best for castaways/couples: La Co(o)rniche, France
Bordered by sand dunes and sitting on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean in Pyla-sur-Mer, Aquitane, this sophisticated hotel is remote and enchanting. Interiors are all-white Philippe Starck design, the infinity pool begs to be Instagrammed and the seafood dining is the area’s best. Tempting as it is to stay put in such beautiful surroundings, there is a wealth of activities, from climbing Europe’s largest sand dune, Dune du Pilat, and visiting oyster farms in Arcachon to renting bikes and learning to surf. Plus, Bordeaux is less than an hour away. Doubles from €275.
Best for party people: ME Mallorca
Technically it’s in nightlife capital Magaluf, but this cool design-led hotel actually lies in the exclusive Calvia resort, so you get the best of both worlds. It’s right on the pristine sand, so you can roll out of bed straight onto a lounger, into the pool or even the SkinC Spa for a relaxing massage. Contemporary rooms overlook the Bay of Palma or Mediterranean-style gardens, and you can pick on room-service tapas whatever time you head home from neighbouring day-to-night club and bar, Nikki Beach. Rooms from £126.
Best for families: Anassa, Cyprus
A quick, 40-minute transfer from Paphos International Airport and kids can be building sandcastles in tranquil Latchi Bay, home of five-star Anassa resort. White-washed buildings are discreetly spread over a secluded hillside, widely considered the island’s best spot, and with three pools to play in, an all-ages kids' club, snorkelling and flood-lit tennis courts, there’s plenty to do. However, the little extras really make this a winning destination for kids – catamaran cruises, sailing lessons, an ice-cream cart and even child-size slippers at turndown. Garden view rooms from €438.
Best for activities: La Duna Bianca, Sardinia
This is a intimate boutique hotel (just 16 rooms) that’s part of a larger resort on the north of the island. There’s no chance of being bored, with six pools (two for kids), 10 restaurants, five-a-side football, archery and basketball on offer. With so much to try it’s almost possible to forget about Li Junchi, an eight-kilometre stretch of white sand right on your doorstep. Rooms from €150.
Find out how many Avios you need to fly to all of these destinations by clicking here
This article has been tagged Destination, Hotels
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