Our Featured PROPERTIES OF THE WEEK
This week’s favourite holiday properties for the ultimate luxury getaway.
Where to next? We have curated some inspiration to cover all sorts of stays and guests. Peruse what’s trending now. We’ve cast around for hotels, villas and gulets which we think will offer standout holidays in summer 2024.
Hand-picked UNCOMMERCIAL DESTINATIONS
We specialise in uncommercial holiday destinations in Turkey, the Greek Islands of Crete and Kefalonia, Mallorca, Sicily, Malta and the year-round exotic destination of Morocco. We continue to seek out and offer new discerning experiences in other destinations and this year are delighted to introduce UK experiences and some Winter Sun in Tenerife to the Discerning Collection.
Friendly, PERSONAL SERVICE
We are a truly specialist tour operator offering unique boutique hotels, private villas with pools, rural retreats and select apartments in unspoilt resorts. Whether you’re looking for a suite built within caves, a romantic rooftop terrace or your own private infinity pool…we’ve got a great selection for you.
We have extensive first hand experience of the properties we feature, have time to help guests choose specific rooms or villas and, having built up great relationships with all the owners, can offer a truly personal service to enhance your holiday. Thankfully, many of our guests agree as we have a huge number of very loyal repeat guests.
But don’t take our word for it… to see genuine reviews from Discerning Collection guests click here.
Holiday TYPES
Discerning EXPERIENCES
We are delighted to introduce our exciting new portfolio of truly memorable experience holidays. Designed to allow you to discover natural wonders and unique cultural experiences year round and in a choice of destinations. Our current experience holidays include; a yoga and lifestyle holiday in an eco lodge in Morocco this November, tailor made itineraries on the Amalfi coast, Tuscany, Puglia and Matera and landscapes of Turkey which combine Cappadocia and Istanbul. Our Discerning Experience holidays have been created to allow you to see a facet of the destination not usually unavailable, while traveling in style and enjoying the finest hospitality as well as our renowned personal and attentive service.
School Holiday AVAILABILITY

20% early booking discount
St Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel and Villas
A stunning luxury boutique hotel near the charming town of Aghios Nikolaos, a well -deserved member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
Ideally situated on its own private stretch of sandy beach, the St. Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel and Thalassa Villas offers magnificent views over the Gulf of Mirabello. Relax around one of the 2 infinity pools that both offer a wonderful spots to relax with a book, or for the more energetic, why not enjoy the many water activities on offer including diving lessons on hand from the water sports.
This hotel is a luxury boutique hotel, privately run, yet offering the services and facilities of a larger luxury resort and with genuine Greek hospitality. With a selection of beautifully appointed and recently renovated rooms, suites and villas, all with modern and spacious interiors with large terraces or balconies and most with fabulous sea views. The exclusive Club Studio and Club Suites, as well as the Thalassa Villas have their own seawater private swimming pools which are heated in the shoulder months and come with their own elevated VIP benefits and little surprises during your stay. The range of rooms and suites ensure this hotel is perfect for couples as well as families.
Dining wise, there is something for everyone at this fabulous hotel; a choice of five restaurants at St. Nicolas Bay Hotel, ranging from fine dining to ranging from the fine dining Minotaure, to the traditional Greek Kafenion on the waterfront with Cretan dishes and excellent seafood; a state of the art Elemis Spa with the pioneering technology of Elemis Biotec; children’s club, cinema, games room and boutique, there are certainly enough facilities to keep all the family entertained.
This boutique hotel and villas offers the perfect blend of local and contemporary architecture with a strong emphasis on privacy all offered with a perfect backdrop of the Mirabello Bay, with friendly and personable service suitable for any discerning guest.
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Book now for 2024 and receive 20% off
Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa
The Cayo Exclusive Resort and Spa is a seriously elegant design hotel. The property enjoys unprecedented space in each of it’s 70 pool suites and offers guests unparalleled views of the iridescent Spinalonga Island, a UNESCO world Heritage List nominee, together with mesmerising vistas over the sparkling azure waters of Mirabello Bay. Standing in an elevated position, aloft a steep hill, it is still only 250 metres from Plaka pebble beach and dramatically framed by jagged cliffs.
Exceptional attention to detail is demonstrated throughout the Cayo Hotel Concept. The property has been meticulously designed to blend seamlessly with it surrounds and embrace Cretan architectural design. Interiors have been paired by Milanese designer Gian Paolo Venier who took his inspiration from the culture and natural landscape of the island- where possible combining local artisan’s craftmanship with modern furnishings, fittings, and cool neutral tones. Even the selected materials for the project are those rich in the history of Greece, white marble, volaka marble and terracotta. All of which have been handpicked to provide guests with a sense of connection to their surrounds. Throughout, the property exudes bohemian characteristics underpinned by a level of comfort and luxury that is often difficult to find. Accommodation options are plentiful, with many room categories having the option of additional beds or cots- lending itself to families and friends travelling together as well as couples. With so much room to roam guests will relish the incredible outside space and panoramic views from every aspect.
For those seeking a flop and drop vacay with plenty of rest and relaxation there are plenty of swimming opportunities in situ. The hotel boasts two large and beautiful swimming pools where you can bathe under sunny Cretan Skies or cosy up poolside on a voluptuous lounger with a good read. Beyond the pool, is Cayo’s spot on the beach, located just 250m from the hotel and if you don’t fancy stretching your legs, the hotel shuttle runs from the morning into the evening- it’s a wonderful place to unwind while being serenaded by the majestic sounds of the sea. And if you are looking for some respite from the sun, a visit to the well being centre will be the ultimate rejuvenation remedy, pick from one of the many treatments listed on the spa menu or unwind in the Turkish bath. There is also a fitness centre and studio for those who prefer not to let their holiday stand in the way of workout rituals.
A stay at the Cayo Exclusive Resort allows guests to be as well looked after as they like and as independent too. So often the conception with resort hotels is that with everything you could possibly need at your fingertips there is very little reason to leave. The same of course can be said for the Cayo Exclusive Resort which offers residents opportunities to dine in four different restaurants and two bars all of which offer exceptional cuisine with many ingredients seasonal and sourced from local eco-friendly farms or produced in the hotel’s own organic garden. However, Cayo is committed to supporting the local Cretan culture and a sustainable approach to tourism. To this end, the team encourage guests to enjoy the local tavernas in Plaka and explore the wider region, taking in a climbing experience, hiking, water sports and diving.
No matter your interests, the Cayo Exclusive Resort and Spa will provide the ultimate relaxation vacation. The position makes it easy to pick up the pace and venture effortlessly beyond the hotel perimeters. It is however the wonderful team locally on site, who deliver a friendly and attentive service. Proud and hospitable, they are eager to provide a relaxed atmosphere and unforgettable experience that makes it so hard to leave.
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Best Ever early booking offers
Likya Gardens
A gorgeous boutique hotel perched by the water’s edge with just 12 suites and 4 villas, an idyllic escape
Once a simple guesthouse, the Likya Gardens Hotel has been totally transformed into a beach front boutique hotel comprising of just 12 spacious suites, two 2 bedroom villas and two 3 bedroom villas.
Boasting one of the best locations in Kalkan this reinvented boutique property is situated only a short 12 minute stroll along the coastal road from Kalkan harbour and nestles behind the Yali Beach club.
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LIKYA RESIDENCE HOTEL & SPA
One of our guests favourites in Kalkan, Turkey
Arguably the best hotel in the region, the stunning Likya Residence and Spa is a luxurious adult-only retreat, yet just a short stroll from the heart of the charming harbour town of Kalkan.
All of the light, airy and incredibly spacious rooms and suites offer unrivalled sea views and have a large balcony or terrace, a superb spot to sit and watch the sun go down over the deep blue Mediterranean.
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Tailored FOR YOU
Bespoke holidays, to fit your exact requirements
Whether you are simply looking for accommodation for a few nights, or want an off the beaten track tailor-made holiday, the team at The Discerning Collection can fulfill your every need.
We can arrange flights from any UK airport on any day of the week, transfers or car hire, accommodation (including specific rooms), and many other services such as various jaunts and excursions, meals in some of the best restaurants in town! We are totally flexible and are here to ensure that you book the holiday that you want.
Simply give us a call on 01784 817 720 to experience our friendly and knowledgeable service first-hand.
