Numo Ierapetra Beach Resort

NUMO Ierapetra is a true South Cretan oasis — a beautiful and relaxing escape where everything feels effortlessly close. I loved how practical the setting is, with the pool and the sea literally side by side, making it so easy to enjoy both throughout the day. The food is fantastic, especially the octopus and the Beluga salad — absolute highlights. The couples massage was also one of the best massage experiences I’ve had, despite having tried many over the years. Inside tip: bring your snorkeling gear — the sea around NUMO has some fantastic fish and is a little underwater surprise waiting to be explored. 🐠

The Numo Ierapetra has so much going for it that it is almost frustrating to find one weak spot. In almost every respect, this feels like a true five-star hotel — I’d happily rate the overall experience 9/10. The location is fantastic, the property itself is beautiful and impeccably clean, and the pools, beach and spectacular sunsets are simply wonderful. But what really makes the place stand out is the staff. They are exceptional: genuinely warm, consistently helpful and always happy to go the extra mile. Their recommendations for nearby restaurants and activities were also spot-on and made exploring the area even more enjoyable. What’s not to love? Unfortunately, there is a noticeable gap between the quality of the hotel itself and its catering, and that contrast is what makes the restaurant experience particularly disappointing. Breakfast is probably the biggest missed opportunity. There are a couple of rather industrial-tasting juices, no egg station, and the scrambled eggs and pancakes were consistently dry. Dinner was much the same. The salad bar was lovely and fresh, but beyond that, the food felt underwhelming and, once again, the industrial-style desserts really didn’t feel in keeping with the standard of a five-star property. And that’s the shame: the setting, service, cleanliness, facilities and staff are all genuinely excellent. The hotel has all the ingredients for an outstanding stay, but the food simply doesn’t live up to the rest. It’s still a beautiful place with exceptional people, and I would happily return for the hotel, beach, pools and atmosphere. But improving the catering would make a huge difference and bring the whole experience up to the level it deserves.

We stayed for six nights in a standard guest room on a half-board package and were unexpectedly upgraded to a one-bedroom suite. The welcome upon arrival was warm, and the loyalty recognition was excellent. The room upgrade was a pleasant surprise and something I have never experienced before at a Curio Collection property. The resort itself is beautiful, with well-decorated, functional rooms, attractive outdoor spaces, and impeccably maintained gardens. The beach area is somewhat affected by overlapping music from both the restaurant and the main pool, each playing a different style of music. Guests seeking a quieter atmosphere can use the pool near the main building, although the adjacent tennis court may occasionally impact the sense of tranquillity. Towel service is only available from 10:00 a.m. onwards. If the intention is to discourage sunbed reservations, the policy does not appear to be effective, as many guests simply use room towels and personal belongings to reserve loungers throughout the morning. Service was excellent at the Mare Mare bar in the evenings, at the spa, and at the front desk. Unfortunately, the main restaurant, Tamarisk, needs significant improvement. Service was often inattentive and at times came across as rude. While it should not be necessary to escalate concerns to management, doing so made a noticeable difference, and the hotel manager handled the situation exceptionally well. The buffet at Tamarisk is adequate but would benefit from greater variety. Table allocation, particularly between indoor and outdoor seating, should also be reviewed. Some outdoor tables in the central area are paired with seats of an odd height, making dining uncomfortable unless you happen to be exceptionally tall. There is also an à la carte restaurant Menoa on site, but it is not included in the half-board package, so we did not have the opportunity to try it. The fitness centre feels slightly dated and can become crowded, although the outdoor workout area is a welcome addition. The hotel is fairly isolated, with limited attractions or activities nearby unless you have access to a car or use taxis. For those seeking a relaxing beach or pool holiday with little need to leave the resort, this is an excellent choice. Suggestions for Improvement - Charging for coffee capsules in the room and providing only one large bottle of water per day (or two small bottles, depending on room category) does not feel particularly premium. Other Curio Collection resorts I have visited typically provide two large bottles of still water and two large bottles of sparkling water daily. - Additionally, including one à la carte dining experience as part of the half-board package is not unheard of within the Curio Collection portfolio and would further enhance the value proposition. Small touches such as these would elevate the overall guest experience. Overall Rating: 4.5/5
 Staff & Service: 3.5/5
 Accommodation: 5/5
 Value for Money: 4/5
 Hilton Diamond Recognition: 5/5

Very nice stay. Very friendly staff.

Very nice hotel. Relaxed atmosphere and very friendly staff.