Our Wellbeing Escapes Product Manager, Dominika, travelled to Crete to experience the Ultimate Wellbeing Spa Programme at the luxurious 5-star Daios Cove. From restorative treatments to state-of-the-art facilities, read her account of the retreat and what makes this Greek hideaway a sanctuary for the mind and body.
The hotel is located on the island of Crete, tucked away in a private, secluded bay. Built into a hillside, the resort feels like a charming little village, blending beautifully into the natural surroundings with its soft, earthy. Although it took me a day or two to find my way around, don’t let the Cove’s size intimidate you. The layout is designed to give each room a sense of privacy, like having alittle hideaway.
All the main facilities including the restaurants, Spa, gym, pools, and kids club, are spread across five levels and connected by a funicular (a little cable car!). The beach is beautiful, fully equipped with loungers, umbrellas, towels and a water sports centre. There’s a main infinity pool with a dedicated kids' area, and just above it, an adults-only pool. No matter where you are, the views are absolutely stunning, especially at sunset. I recommend getting up early one morning to catch the sunrise. You'll see its worth it!
Food
There’s one buffet restaurant, four à la carte restaurants and two bars to choose from. Room service is free of charge, which is a nice bonus. Your dining options will depend on the room type you book and there’s also a ‘dine around’ option if you like a bit of variety. If you want to escape families, Taverna serves an adults-only breakfast and RHO adults-only dinners. The à la carte restaurants also have a wellness menu (just look for the Kepos logo), which features healthy, balanced meals that are low in sugar and calories. I usually eat pretty healthy day to day, so this was perfect for me as I didn’t have to compromise my food choices just because I was on holiday.
Wellness Facilities
Daios Cove made a big investment in their spa a few years ago and it really shows. They’ve created something beyond your average hotel spa. The facilities are sleek, modern, and seriously relaxing. There’s an indoor vitality pool with gorgeous views (kids are allowed here), a yoga hall (again, those views!), a massive BRX gym and a Thermal Suite with a thermal-water pool, saunas, steam room, and an experiential shower. The Thermal Suite is adults-only and not complimentary, but you can either pay for access or use it for free before or after a treatment.
The spa menu includes all the classic treatments and therapies you’d expect from a high-quality spa and the therapists were very experienced. What really sets it apart are the advanced high-tech wellness options available, more in-line with what you'd find at a health clinic rather than a leisure resort. Think cryotherapy, a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, colon hydrotherapy (Angel of Water system), IV vitamin infusions and an infrared sauna. The IV treatments are supervised by an in-house doctor, and there’s even a nutritionist available if you’d like expert guidance.
My Wellness Experience
I tried the 3-Day Optimal Wellbeing programme which showcases the best of what the Kepos spa has to offer. It all started with a wellness consultation, including a 3D Styku analysis that provided me a detailed breakdown of my body composition, fat mass, and more. Then came the cell wellbeing epigenetic test — from just a small hair sample, I got insights into my vitamin and mineral deficiencies, toxin levels and tailored nutritional advice on how to make improvements towards my health. It was very insightful! Now, cryotherapy was quite the experience. I’m not a fan of the cold, so the idea of being shut into freezing temperatures for two minutes sounded terrifying — but I did it (twice!) and felt incredibly energised afterwards. The IV therapy was delivered painlessly by a lovely in-house doctor and it gave my body the vitamin boost it clearly needed. I also had a 90-minute body treatment (absolute heaven!) and a reparative facial that included one of the best face massages I’ve ever had. My private training session focused on strength and core — and yes, I could definitely feel it the next day! I even got to try a private aerial yoga session, which was such a fun and unique experience.
Verdict
Daios Cove has long been known as a luxury, family-friendly hotel - and yes, there are still families with young kids around. But since their major investment in the Kepos spa, that narrative is definitely shifting. I was genuinely impressed by the spa — every therapy and treatment I tried, whether it was biohacking or pampering, was delivered with professionalism and real care. The programme delivered exactly what it promised. I felt more energised, rejuvenated, and even slept better. My Oura ring backed it up too: showing more restorative time than usual, a big boost in resilience, and my readiness score was on fire! I also really appreciated that the à la carte restaurants offer healthy dishes, so I didn’t have to compromise on my usual diet. The whole concept sits somewhere in between — this isn’t your typical spa resort, but Kepos isn’t a clinical wellness retreat either. It strikes a perfect balance.When you add to that the excellent food, a huge gym, stunning natural surroundings, and warm, attentive service, Daios Cove becomes the ideal choice for anyone seeking a luxury beach holiday with a genuine wellness boost.
Who is it for
- Those who want to elevate their spa experience to another level. Kepos spa offers some trendy treatments and therapies, so it stands above an ordinary spa
- Independent single traveller who wants a luxury beach spa break with no compromise on healthy food, yet does not mind being surrounded by families with children
- Couples and families with young children alike will find this location appealing
Tips
- Due to its size, layout and position, I would not recommend this hotel to those with mobility issues as getting around will be difficult
- If you’re looking for a more peaceful experience, Daios Cove has several adults-only areas, including specific restaurants offering adults-only breakfast and dinner, the spa, the Thermal Suite, the gym, and a dedicated adults-only pool. I wouldn’t recommend travelling in July or August, as the resort is particularly busy with families during the school holidays. For a more tranquil atmosphere (and better value), consider visiting outside the peak season. You’ll enjoy a quieter stay, and the hotel often releases seasonal offers like percentage discounts or complimentary upgrades to full board. Contact our team for the latest and best deals!
- If you want to disconnect and stay away from it all, book a room with a private pool. Room service is free of charge, so you don’t need to leave the comfort of your suite unless you want to (maybe for a spa treatment).
- Do make sure to wake up early to watch the sunrise and enjoy this brief moment of stillness
Visited May 2025
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