Greek Hotel Has Incredible Overwater Bungalows For Much Cheaper Than The Maldives

A resort in Greece has been branded the new Maldives for offering a luxurious over-water stay at a much cheaper cost.

If there was ever a reason to brave the lengthy queues and commit to a high chance of your flight ending up delayed, then this hotel is it.

The Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa in Crete has been described as 'a Maldives experience in the Mediterranean sea' and it comes at a fraction of the price.

Move over the Maldives, there's a new holiday spot in town.

There's nothing that pleases me more than seeing the words 'adults only' on a hotel's website; the offering of being 'pampered with a variety of facilities and services' is simply the cherry on the cake.

While the personal training is a nice gesture – who really uses the gym while on holiday? – it's the offer of five restaurants, a giant pool and state-of-the-art spa on the northern coast of Crete which entices me.

The 'Over Water Bungalow' is one of a whole multitude of accommodation options offered by the resort, which has a total of 225 rooms.

The website reads: "These Over Water Bungalows add an extra dimension to a holiday on Stella Island Luxury Resort: decorated with wood and glass, in tropical scenery, guests have direct access down from each sunbathing deck to the pool. The bathroom consist of a walk-in shower and double sinks."

Depending on what time of the year you visit, the price of an Over Water Bungalow can be as low as £299 per night, which, although still fairly hefty in price, is a much more affordable option for those who dream of the luxurious stays in the Maldives.

In mid-October, the cost rises to £341 a night and it surges to £648 in the school holiday period.

If you're looking to splash an extra bit of cash, there's also rooms such as the Grand Over Water Bungalow with Jacuzzi, Island Villa Private Pool and Premium Swim Up.

And if the resort isn't enough for you then there's a whole host of activities you can get involved in nearby, from trekking to horse riding or even scuba diving, as well as monuments and museums for the less active of us.

The resort has an 'Excellent' rating of 4.5 out of 5 on Tripadvisor.

One visitor said: "Having stayed at many 5 star hotels across Europe Stella Island does not disappoint. The reception staff are very attentive and despite other reviews suggesting otherwise the check in process was quick and easy. We stayed in both an overwater bungalow and a private villa with a pool which IMO is a lot more private and worth every euro for the pool alone…"

They concluded: "Both Guest relations and the management staff in particular George Syrmos are extremely attentive and will deal with any issues professionally and courteously.

"I can’t find any reason if I’m honest why we wouldn’t return to Stella island."