In 2026, Phāea introduces a new chapter in its long-standing relationship with Crete — one that moves beyond surface-level experiences and into the deeper rhythms of nourishment, heritage, and place. Across its properties, the hospitality group unveils a series of thoughtful, culturally rooted initiatives that invite travelers to engage with the island as it has been lived for millennia.
At the heart of this evolution is Cretan Diet Discovery, launching at Phāea Blue which will encompass an immersive program inspired by one of Crete’s most enduring legacies: its approach to food as a source of longevity, pleasure, and wellbeing.
Cretan Diet Discovery at Phāea Blue: An Immersion into Nourishment, Ritual, and Longevity
Rather than welcoming guests with a cocktail, arrivals at Phāea Blue begin with a simple yet profound ritual: a shot of the hotel’s own extra virgin olive oil. The gesture replaces expectation with intention, echoing an ancient practice deeply embedded in Cretan life.
From there, the experience unfolds across every menu and meal. Ancestral recipes, passed down through generations, are thoughtfully reinterpreted through a nutritional lens, exploring why certain herbs heal from within, how seasonal produce supports balance, and why simplicity has always been central to Cretan wellbeing.
Rooted in the Phāea Farmers network, each ingredient tells a story of land, climate, and continuity. All Phāea hotels use 100% of Phāea’s own olive oil — not only at the table, but also for cooking, a rarity even among luxury resorts — reinforcing the group’s commitment to authenticity and sustainability.
The timing is no coincidence. Crete has been named the European Region of Gastronomy for 2026, and May continues to be recognized globally as International Mediterranean Diet Month placing the island firmly at the center of a renewed conversation around food, health, and culture.
Blue Door at Phāea Blue: A Destination Within a Destination
This season, Blue Door deepens its role as the cultural heart of Phāea Blue with the introduction of a Greek aperitivo ritual inspired by the rhythms of the Aegean. Centered around the resort’s iconic traditional fishing boat, the terrace transforms each evening into an open-air gathering place. Guests drift in for seafood meze, just-caught fish marinated in Cretan herbs, local cheeses, wild pickled vegetables, while generous pours of raki—the island’s medicinal spirit steeped in botanicals—will be passed along to all travelers by the restaurant’s beloved Haris, who is renowned for waxing on about the storied past of the region.
As night falls, the space gives way to Cretan Nights: immersive evenings of live music, traditional dance, and storytelling that honor the island’s heritage.
New Swim-Up Wellness Bungalows at Phāea Cretan Malia: Seamless Indoor–Outdoor Living, Reimagined
Phāea Cretan Malia introduces 12 new Swim-Up Wellness Bungalows, designed to dissolve the boundary between room, water, and landscape. Each suite opens directly onto a sunlit private swimming space that empties into the hotel’s main swimming pool, creating an atmosphere of effortless flow and restorative calm.
Guided by Phāea’s conscious wellbeing philosophy, the suites feature a selection of holistic amenities, including a Vitality Bar with herbal infusions, adaptogenic blends, Cretan mountain teas, and cold-pressed juices; bespoke meditation and sleep rituals; in-room wellness treatments using organic olive oil; artisan-made yoga mats and loom-woven pool linens; and a sunrise stretching sequence.
For the ancient Cretans, the sea was not a boundary but a life force, shaping how people moved, healed, and gathered. The Swim-Up Wellness Bungalows reinterpret this ancient understanding as a modern ritual of immersion, light, and renewal.
Treehouse Day Cabanas at Phāea Cretan Malia: Elevated Play and Meaningful Family Moments
At Phāea Cretan Malia, new Treehouse Day Cabanas offer an imaginative escape suspended among the treetops. Crafted with natural textures, artisanal textiles, and playful architectural details, the cabanas create immersive worlds for storytelling, creativity, and exploration.
Available for daytime use or as part of a Family Treehouse Camp-In, the experience allows children — accompanied by a parent — to spend the night under the canopy, complete with lantern lighting, cozy bedding, board games, and evening storytelling. It’s an invitation to adventure, designed to nurture independence while strengthening family connection.
UNESCO Palaces Package: A Journey Through Minoan Splendour
For travelers seeking cultural depth, Phāea introduces the UNESCO Palaces Package, an immersive journey through Crete’s most storied archaeological sites, including Knossos, Phaistos, Malia, Zakros, Zominthos, and Kydonia.
The experience traces the footsteps of the Bronze Age Minoan civilization, granting curated access to ancient courtyards, ceremonial staircases, fresco-lined chambers, and the labyrinthine origins of myth itself. Optional expert-led tours and cultural touchpoints connect the legacy of the palaces to Phāea’s own philosophy of continuity, heritage, and responsible travel.
More than an excursion, the package offers an encounter with time — where myth and history converge beneath the Cretan sun.
The focus comes as Costantza Sbokou-Constantakopoulou, co-founder and chairwoman of Phāea was appointed UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for the Protection and Promotion of Culture in late 2025, a role in which she champions the safeguarding of cultural heritage and the integration of creativity, innovation, and sustainable development. A Cretan-born architect and entrepreneurial leader, Sbokou-Constantakopoulou brings her deep commitment to Mediterranean culture and heritage to the international stage, advocating for cultural diversity, human creativity, and cross-cultural dialogue as instruments of peace and global connection.
