Abaton Island Resort & Spa

Abaton Island Resort & Spa sits on the north coast of Crete at Hersonissos, built in a white Cycladic style facing the Aegean. There are 152 rooms, suites and villas, 71 of them with a pool, plus an infinity pool and a private sandy beach with 364 metres of shoreline.

This is more design hotel than traditional wedding venue. Clean lines and sea views do much of the styling, and the food is led by Executive Chef Giorgos Chronakis, with Cretan and international menus across several restaurants. The Anapnoē Spa works with Elemis and Augustinus Bader, and Buddha-Bar Beach brings DJs and Asian fusion food to summer evenings. It suits couples who want a polished, contemporary wedding.

Abaton has a dedicated wedding and honeymoon team, and its brochure lists nine possible venues. The open air theatre and the Ladies & Gentlemen lobby bar each take 200, the bar for ceremony and drinks only. The ballroom takes 150, F-Zin restaurant 100 inside or 200 outside, and Buddha-Bar 200. Smaller dinners suit Bony Fish or WOW Steak at 80, or Elemes at 70, and a beach set-up is quoted separately.

Packages need at least 20 guests at the reception, cap at 300, and come with a minimum booking of ten rooms for two nights. Ask the team about legal or symbolic ceremony options for UK couples and the music curfew.

Guests can stay on site across 14 room types, from sea view rooms to suites with a private jacuzzi or private pool. The resort ties its wedding packages to a block of at least ten rooms, so plan the room list early.

Between events there is plenty to do. The spa has a heated saltwater pool, a sauna and a steam room, and the resort runs private sunset cruises on a Riva Iseo. Abaton's own journal points guests to the Minoan Palace of Malia and the Kera monastery nearby. The food team can also host the rehearsal dinner and the brunch the day after. Ask the team about transfer times from the airport.