Rediscover the joy of being on the serene island of Crete.
Simon
CRETE GREEK ISLAND RETREAT
Kissamos Bay Hotel, Crete, Greece
Thursday 25 September – Thursday 2 October, 2025
SOLD OUT - Waiting list available.
YOUR SEVEN-DAY GREEK ISLAND RETREAT
Join us in September 2025 for a transformative yoga retreat on the stunning island of Crete. We’ll be staying at the Kissamos Bay Hotel, located just across a quiet road from the beach in the charming seaside town of Kissamos.
Practice mindful yoga, conscious breathing, meditation, iRest Yoga Nidra, and deep relaxation in the cool, dedicated yoga shala beneath the hotel. For an unforgettable experience, there will also be opportunities to practice yoga on the beach, followed by refreshing swims in the crystal-clear waters.
NOURISH YOUR BODY AND SOUL
Savour delicious, wholesome meals freshly prepared for the retreat. Begin each day with breakfast at the hotel and enjoy a variety of dinners at different local tavernas in town, all included in your retreat package.
RELAX, EXPLORE AND CONNECT
During your free time, immerse yourself in the natural beauty and vibrant culture of Crete:
Sunbathe on breathtaking beaches or snorkel in the turquoise waters.
Witness the island’s breathtaking sunsets.
Wander into the town, just a five-minute walk from the hotel, for shopping or exploring.
Take a peaceful hike into the nearby hills for stunning views and a sense of tranquillity.
Learn simple, powerful techniques to reduce stress and support your well-being you can carry with you beyond the retreat.
SUITABLE FOR ALL LEVELS
Whether you’re new to yoga or an experienced practitioner, this retreat is designed for all levels.
It’s a chance to deepen your practice, gain new insights, and connect with like-minded individuals in a supportive and inspiring environment.
All practices and sessions will be led by myself Simon Hoten, and as a dedicated and experienced yoga teacher I am committed to helping you find balance, joy, and peace.
Escape to Crete and rediscover the joy of being, surrounded by natural beauty and a nurturing atmosphere.
ACCOMMODATION
All rooms are ensuite, with air conditioning, flat screen TV, wardrobe, safety deposit box, mini fridge and free wifi. Kissamos Bay Hotel is a new three-star hotel which opened in Summer 2024.
Housekeeping service is provided daily.
Kissamos Bay Hotel had a rating of 8.4 on Booking.com. (Feb 2025)
PRICING - NOW SOLD OUT
Single or twin ensuite air-conditioned room without balcony - SOLD OUT
Single occupancy ensuite with balcony - SOLD OUT
Twin or double shared ensuite air-conditioned room - SOLD OUT
You can still add yourself to the waitlist.
NB: Pricing does not include flights, transfers, travel insurance or additional activities/optional excursions, lunches, wine/beer/other alcohol, massages or other treatments
*Subject to availability. The rooms will be sold on a first come first served basis.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Seven nights’ accommodation in air-conditioned ensuite rooms.
Seven morning mindful breath-centred slow, flowing hatha yoga practices in the cool yoga shala in the basement of the hotel and/or the beach before breakfast.
Six late afternoon/early evening slower and gentler nourishing sessions including pranayama, restorative yoga, iRest Yoga Nidra and deep relaxation (allowing for one full day off for an excursion if you wish).
One (optional) yoga masterclass.
Seven delicious vegetarian breakfasts and seven dinners (vegetarian and meat options).
A yoga mat and equipment are provided (so there is no need to bring your own).
A Cretan cooking class or a beer and wine tasting to learn more about Cretan culture.
Free time and space to reset, refocus and rediscover the simple joy of being, throughout the week.
HOW TO BOOK
Please contact me and I will add you to the waitlist, which operates on a first come first serve basis, you can also sign up for my newsletter and be among the first to know of future retreats.
THE LOCAL AREA
Our hotel is in Kissamos, (also known as Kastelli/Kastelli Kissamos) which is a small town in a fertile valley in the northwest of Crete, about 175km west of the capital Heraklion (Iraklion) and 40 km from Chania the regional capital. It is blessed with sun-kissed beaches, and crystal clear waters with a backdrop of rolling hills.
Telonio Beach a mixture of mainly pebbles and sand is 50 metres away which local guides describe as an excellent choice for those who desire tranquillity and water that is clear and calm yet also want to be close to nearby shops and cafes. Its sandy neighbour Mavros Molos Beach is less than 1km and the famous Ballos Beach and lagoon is 15km away. Kissamos/Kastelli port is 4.1km and Chania airport is 51km away.
This harbour town is surrounded by hills and the area is an important producer of wine, olive oil, and thyme honey, oregano and raki.
During the Venetian rule, a large fortress was built here and the village took the name Kastelli(meaning castle). Only fragments of the castle remain but there is a network of cobbled streets with shops and cafes and the resort mainly attracts Greek tourists. In the centre of the town, a beautiful two-storey Venetian building houses the Archeological Museum of Kissamos.
THE FOOD
Breakfast choices include cereal, oats, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, fruit juice, scrambled eggs, avocado and bread, served in the hotel and our dinners in different tavernas in town will have a selection of healthy vegetarian and vegan options, two meat options and two pasta options.
GETTING THERE
Chania airport is the nearest airport (51km away) with direct flights travel times from UK to Chania approx. four hours. Check out EasyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, Wizz Air UK and British Airways.
Transfer options (not included in retreat prices): Taxi shares can be arranged from the airport or regular buses are available from Chania Airport to Chania and then onto Kissamos.
CRETE
Crete, the largest of the Greek islands is a diverse land packed with ancient ruins, crystal clear seas and breathtaking beaches. It is said to be the birthplace of modern European civilization and the Minoans, a Bronze Age civilization flourished here from about 3000 BCE to about 1100 BCE.
The island is home to 13 unique grape varieties, Vidiano and Vilana among the most famous and thanks to the North Africa climate on the south coast, banans, kiwis, prickly pear, mangoes, avocados, pineapples, papaya, guava and passion fruit thrive here. There are also 14 different varieties within the 30 million olive trees!
You can enjoy the flavours of Cretan cuisine, renowned for its freshness and simplicity as well as a drink or two of Raki, Crete’s famous spirit.
You can swim in its crystal-clear waters along its many sun-kissed shores (It is very proud of its 112 Blue flag beaches), where Zeus himself is said to have been born in a hidden cave. Hippocrates was convinced that the air on Crete could work miracles on anybody's health.
The island is also the birthplace of Cretan Renaissance painter El Greco, the opera singer Nana Mouskouri and Creton actor Yannis Anastassakis who changed his name to John Aniston, the father of Jennifer Aniston. Joni Mitchell one of its modern famous residents lived in the hippy caves in Crete for many years too.
HOW TO BOOK
Please contact me and I will add you to the waitlist, which operates on a first come first serve basis, you can also sign up for my newsletter and be among the first to know of future retreats.
