The Syntopia hotel by Orion: Millennials will love living the Syntopia life

Over 32 million people travel to Greece and its 6,000 sovereign islands globally every year and Crete, south of the mainland, is the largest of those.

It records the second highest number of visitors out of all the Greek islands and is certainly an attractive destination amongst British holiday makers. Temperatures hit an average high of 29 degrees celsius in July and August and the island is surrounded by stunning beaches, with beautiful mountains in the centre. Now, it has a new hotel close to the popular city of Rethymno, perfect for young people looking to find both relaxation and adventure.

New for summer 2019 and currently in its opening month, the Syntopia is just an hour drive from the capital of Heraklion, which is also where the nearest airport is situated.

Flights are available via easyJet directly to Heraklion from five UK airports including London Gatwick, Luton, Bristol, Manchester and Edinburgh with prices starting from £53.43 per person throughout the summer months.

It’s an adult only hotel and feels as though it would be well suited for Shoreditch in London rather than the Mediterranean thanks to its cool and hipster feel. It certainly offers a new style of hotel in Crete, that millennials are sure to love.

The hotel has a hippie-chic vibe with a gyp-set style and both the interior and exterior display plenty of wood, Aegean architecture, wicker and stone - they’re clear to see inside the lobby, pool area and the rooms themselves.

The relaxed feel to the hotel is complemented by the clientele the hotel is looking for, the Syntopia is perfect for young people hoping to enjoy the hot weather that Crete has to offer with two pools often supplying live entertainment in the form of house music, musicians and singers.

The pool is the main feature for relaxation, eating and evening activities with an open view to it from the reception area.

There are wooden cabanas and day beds which are perfect for shade from the hot sun – and it does get hot here! But they are also ideal for watching entertainment at the tipi located at the centre of the main pool.

The tipi itself holds yoga sessions on some mornings and there is a pool party held once a week for those looking for something lively as well as relaxing.

The hotel describes itself as swanky, luxurious and warm, and those are certainly accurate descriptions. The staff are keen to offer top notch Greek hospitality, with all inclusive options on food and drinks available to make your stay even more relaxed.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner takes the form of a buffet and there are plenty of drinks on the all inclusive menu as well - a range of cocktails, beers and spirits are available.

Syntopia has five different room types, some of which have sea views and Superior rooms even come with a personal jacuzzi. The rooms themselves are spacious, modern and come with large balconies.

There is also a gym, a spa with various treatments available and an open air cinema for the warm summer evenings. There is plenty for those looking to keep themselves active while away, despite having a tranquil feel to it, the hotel is ideal for gym goers as well.

A 12 kilometre long coastline means the nearest sandy beach is just a five minute walk away and the hotel has its own beach bar called Roulis. The bar offers food, drink and plays music throughout the day. Sun loungers with umbrellas are also free for guests of the hotel. The beach doesn’t get too busy, and it’s difficult not to be tempted by a dip in the warm Aegean Sea. There are activities such as crazy golf, shops and both bars and restaurants along the main costal road which the hotel sits on.

The town of Rethymno isn’t far either, and it needs to be experienced if you stay at this hotel. It’s a 15 minute car ride away but there is plenty of parking around the beach front and the marina so taking a taxi or hiring a car won’t be a problem.

There’s an abundance of places to eat and drink by the marina, and the old town itself contains stunning views of the Pachnes mountains, with gift shops, ice cream parlours and picturesque Venetian architecture. In the evening the sun sets over the harbour making for fantastic photo opportunities and a romantic setting for couples eating out in the evening.

The Egyptian lighthouse in the town has to be witnessed, and the town itself makes for a great visit during the day or evening. The 16th century hilltop Fortezza and castle are open to the public.

There’s plenty to do at the hotel, including a running club, meditation, cooking lessons and cheese making. There is also fortnightly free wine tasting thanks to the local company Wine Walkers who also provide wine tasting tours at local wineries.

Perfect for young couples, solo travellers and groups, the Syntopia is bound to be a hit with millennials this summer with tranquillity and privacy with culture and adventure on its doorstep - bringing a new vibe and clientele to Crete.

Find out more about the Syntopia Hotel on their website.