Really lovely hotel in Crete, welcoming staff and fabulous spacious room. Right on the beach. Food excellent and in perfect location for a relaxing time with access to small village and tavernas nearby. "
The family and all the staff running the Artemis Hotel were absolutely lovely. The food was fabulous! A great place for some much needed rest and recovery."
We booked at the last minute and all the staff we dealt with were very helpful and efficient. Our arrival in Crete was well orchestrated with the local team waiting for us at the airport. Transfer to hotel and throughout our walking holiday was..."
At a glance
- Sleeps 2-5
- 1-2 bedrooms
- 1-2 bathrooms
- Free WiFi
- Air conditioning
Property highlights
- Friendly family-run hotel
- Beautiful beachfront location
- Tavernas and shops 5min walk
- Interconnecting rooms for families
- Unspoilt Crete at its best
- Car free holiday possible
Nestling by the Libyan Sea in the southeast corner of Crete is Makrigialos, home to the Artemis Hotel which has already attracted a loyal following amongst Simpson guests. The hotel underwent a programme of refurbishment in 2025, which took the communal areas to a new level of comfort and style and has proved a big hit with returning clients.
Adjoining the glorious sandy beach which shelves gently around the bay for half a mile or so, the hotel's elegant simplicity is matched by the attentive service of the proud owners who couldn't be more committed to making your stay an enjoyable one. It's the perfect setting for a relaxed week away whether you are travelling as a couple in spring or autumn, or with children and teens in the school summer holidays.
Simpson Travel guests have exclusive use of 13 rooms and suites at the hotel – the Beach Collection, the Palm Tree Collection and the Palm Tree Suites. Situated on the ground, first and second floors, they are comfortable and cool, all with balconies or terraces overlooking the sea. The ground floor Beach Collection rooms offer direct access onto the garden, with steps leading down to the sea, while the balconies of the first and second floors offer a little more privacy with uninterrupted views across the bay. Interconnecting rooms are available for families in the Beach and Palm Tree Collections whilst the Palm Tree Suites offer a choice of one or two bedrooms with a separate living area, for those simply wanting a little more space.
In addition to the hotel’s terrace restaurant, there is also a lovely beachfront dining area situated under a canopy of almiriki trees. The restaurant offers all the familiar Greek specialities and is celebrated locally as one of the best traditional eateries in the village.
In the ground floor lounge area you'll find plenty of relaxed seating and a couple of workspaces for any poor unfortunates who can't ignore their email inbox entirely. There’s also a games room for tweens and teens with a SMART TV acting as a welcome hub for making friends plus a separate cinema room.
For families with little ones, the gently shelving beach is a dream whilst older children greatly appreciate the freedom Artemis offers - with the shops and cafés of Makrigialos just a short stroll along the sand. There are two watersports centres available in the bay during the peak summer months.
Beyond Makrigialos, the local area is largely focused on agriculture, yielding an astonishing array of products; consequently tourism has less prominence here and once you turn off the main thoroughfare that runs along by the sea, a different world unfolds. Time has stood still and delightful small tavernas lie at the heart of the hillside villages with rural prices to match, and though the food may take a little longer to prepare, it’s freshly cooked and more than worth the wait.
The area is a walker’s paradise and for the more energetic a trip up to Pefki village at the head of the gorge of the same name is a must. There are many lesser-known archaeological sites too, plus the impressive Moni Kapsa monastery, just a 10-minute drive from Makrigialos. Or, to discover more of Crete’s secrets travel further east and visit magical Xerokambos, Kato Zakros and Kouremenos.
Though the hotel's magnificent beach is a real draw, those in search of more solitary shores should head for Diaskari, just a 15-minute walk or 5-minute drive away. Here, it feels wild and undiscovered (notwithstanding the excellent taverna at its entrance) and further along the coast again, a number of small, deserted beaches are scarcely visited, even in the height of summer. Alternatively step back in time and take a boat trip to the deserted island of Koufonisi, a magical place with pristine waters beloved by the ancient Greeks and home to a treasure trove of wonders dating back to Minoan, Byzantine and Roman times.
The Simpson Collection @ Artemis is an excellent choice for anyone who values warm, attentive service, good food and a magnificent stretch of sandy coastline for a week to drop and flop. It's a place for couples to relax and families to enjoy the manifold pleasures of a comfortable base by the sea with a host of thoughtful extras designed to keep everyone happy from start to finish.
Explore Hidden Crete
For a glimpse of the extraordinary local landscape, please view our Hidden Crete video. If you’re keen to see more of Hidden Crete, we are happy to arrange bespoke itineraries in May and October, combining a stay at our Simpson Collection @ Artemis Hotel with our other hotel in the east of the island, Mochlos Blue. Please call our Destination Specialists for further information.
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Tourist tax
In Greece, a tourist tax may apply at your accommodation which will be payable locally, in cash, during the course of your holiday. Please use the link to view details specific to your accommodation. View tourist tax rates here.
Villa barbecues
Many of our villas in Greece have a barbecue provided. However, use of barbecues may be restricted or prohibited during the main summer season in order to comply with local regulations.
* For further clarification on Facilities and Amenities, please view the 'Details' tab for each property or speak to one of our experienced sales consultants.
Accommodation
Palm Tree Collection
- Set within 30-room Artemis Hotel
- Four first-floor rooms (23m2) with balconies overlooking the sea
- Interconnecting rooms available
Beach Collection
- Set within 30-room Artemis Hotel
- Four ground-floor rooms (28m2) with small terrace
- Interconnecting rooms available
Palm Tree Suites
- Set within 30-room Artemis Hotel
- Four first and second floor suites (36m2) with one bedroom, separate living area and balcony overlooking the sea (Ammoudi Suite also has a private plunge pool)
- One second floor suite (50m2) with two bedrooms (Diaskari), separate living area, balcony overlooking the sea and private plunge pool
Layout
First floor
- Reception
- Lounge and bar areas
- Terrace restaurant with sea views
- Games room with table football, air hockey, selection of board games and SMART TV
- Cinema room
Ground floor
- Lounge area with soft seating, workspaces
- Beachfront dining area with shade
This hotel has no lift. Due to the number of steps and stairways throughout the property, this hotel may not be suitable for guests with reduced mobility. Please contact us for more information.
General
- Complimentary beach sunbeds for all Simpson guests
- Fridge and kettle in all rooms (no cooking facilities)
- Simpson Travel beach towels
- Complimentary WiFi
- Air-conditioned throughout
- Iron, ironing board, hair dryer, bath towels provided
- Daily cleaning
- Executive mini bus or taxi transfers included (or air conditioned car if preferred)
- Parking
- Bike hire available
- Boat hire available nearby
- Watersports centres available nearby (waterskiing, jet skis, wake boards, banana boats, SUPs, flyboards)
WiFi
- All properties with WiFi are able to support basic functionality such as web browsing and checking emails*
* We aim to offer an uninterrupted service but sometimes due to factors beyond our control reliability can be affected.
National tourist licence (EOT): 1040K032A0087900
Location
- Located on the beach in Makrigialos
- Shops and supermarket 5min walk
- Skippered boat hire 15min walk
- Ierapatra 30min drive
- Sitia town and local airport 35min drive
- Xerokambos 1hr drive
- Heraklion airport 1hr 30min drive
Car hire
Your options
The price of your holiday includes transfers to and from the airport/hotel.
For a supplement, you can exchange the transfers for a hire car.
The following options are available:
- Group C2 - Seat Ibiza or similar*
- Group D2 - Hyundai i30 or similar*
- Group CA – Automatic Nissan Micra or similar*
- Group D3 – Seat Toledo (diesel) or similar*
- Group DA3 – Automatic Nissan Pulsar or similar *
Group E1 - Kia Stonic or similar* - Group L2 – Dacia Duster or similar*
- Group F1 - Citroen Grand C4 or similar*
- Group FA - Automatic Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer 7 seater or similar*
* All our cars include comprehensive insurance with no excess charge. For this particular destination, the undercarriage, tyres, wing mirrors and windscreen are not included in the cover.
Car specification
Group C2 – 1.2-1.4 litre engine, 1 large suitcase*
Group D2 – 1.4 litre engine, 2 large suitcases*
Group CA – 1.2-1.4 litre engine, 1 large suitcase*
Group D3 – 1.4 - 2.0 litre engine, 3 large suitcases*
Group DA3 – 1.4 - 2.0 litre engine, 3 large suitcases*
Group E1 - 1.0 litre engine, 1 medium and 2 large suitcases*
Group L2 – 1.2 litre engine, 3 large suitcases*
Group F1 - 1.4 - 2.0 litre engine, 2 large suitcases*
Group FA - 1.4 - 2.0 litre engine, 2 large suitcases*
*Suitcase sizes are based on a large suitcase being approximately 75cm x 41cm x 31cm, a medium suitcase of approximately 65cm x 46cm x 29cm and a small suitcase of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm.
A destination where tourism is not the local raison d’être, this is a place to relax unreservedly into a life by the sea. The landscape is rugged – mountains, gorges and rocky hillsides scattered with tiny villages and ancient ruins – but some of Crete’s finest beaches belong here too. Among them are spectacular Xerokambos and palm-fringed Vai, whilst Palekastro is one of Europe’s favourite windsurfing spots. And there are plenty of excellent waterfront tavernas where the passing of time is best marked by the waves rolling in nearby.
To the south of the region you'll find Makrygialos, an unpretentious one-time fishing village bordering a magnificent sandy beach by the warm Libyan Sea. It's a little more commercial here these days but the real draw is its extraordinary position close to some of Crete's most spectacular scenery and traditional villages. A visit to Pefki is a must, not least to dine at the pretty taverna where the ingredients are locally sourced and prepared in the traditional way to mouthwatering effect. With outstanding views across the southern coastline, there can be nowhere finer to enjoy lunch before indulging in a walk down the Pefki Gorge for a refreshing dip in the sea.
To base yourself in this idyllic destination, visit our collection of handpicked villas in and around Palekastro & Eastern Crete or take a look at our boutique Simpson Hotels.
Location
- Located on the beach in Makrigialos
- Shops and supermarket 5min walk
- Skippered boat hire 15min walk
- Ierapatra 30min drive
- Sitia town and local airport 35min drive
- Xerokambos 1hr drive
- Heraklion airport 1hr 30min drive
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