"Set the scenePerched on the edge of honey-coloured Crete, Daios Cove has long made a name for itself as one of Greece’s most-loved resorts. But in 2022 it unveiled Kēpos by Goco, a game-changing 2,5000 square metre sanctuary combining holistic healing with innovative medical technology, which catapulted it into a different bracket altogether. Regular visitors – think linen trousers and loafer-shod Europeans alongside many British families with small children in search of a Mediterranean break – are now joined by health-conscious individuals who want to get fit under the sun. With the addition of this new dimension, Daios Cove really ticks everyone’s box, making it a good destination for families of all ages who want to do different activities. Adrenalin addicts are as well served here in the BXR gym as those seeking a restorative escape from life’s hustle and bustle. What's the backstoryThe venture is a collaboration between the founder of Daios Cove, Dimitris Daios and the founder and CEO of GOCO hospitality, Ingo Schweder. Schweder’s expertise in hospitality changed direction after being diagnosed with cancer and the realisation of the efficacy of combining western medicine and holistic treatments. His awareness of the increasing need to provide the facilities for the healthy lifestyle that guests were demanding more and more resulted, after four years of research, in Kēpos by Goco. To the already existing spa, many other layers were added to turn it into what it is today. Now there is a doctor permanently on site as well as an impressive collection of trained therapists offering new treatments from time in a cryotherapy chamber to hyperbaric oxygen therapy to epigenetic analysis. What’s the wellness concept?It skilfully combines certain treatments from a medical spa such as vitamin IV infusions or colon hydrotherapy with serious fitness facilities and a top-notch personal trainer and the normal beauty and wellness routines. It all begins with a detailed form to fill out before you arrive, and the Styku Body Scan on arrival. This maps exactly the shape and composition of the body, revealing visceral and exterior fat which helps tailor-make or personalise treatments to guarantee weight loss results. The spa’s USP is that it sits alongside a normal luxury resort allowing guests to dip in and do as much as they want whilst other family members can laze by the pool. It is completely out of the ordinary to have facilities such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy available in a standard wellbeing spa, meaning that this uniquely bridges two different worlds. What are the signature treatments?From the medical part of the spa, the vitamin infusions and the cryotherapy chamber are both popular, the latter a big help to any injuries that athletes or fitness addicts might have. But I loved the Advanced Skin Regeneration by IIISkin which includes topical cryotherapy and LED red light therapy. I was also encouraged by the very caring resident doctor, Dr. Masoud to try the hyperbaric chamber which I thought I would find too claustrophobic but this one was incredible with a television inside and a phone to communicate with the doctor outside. Which therapist should I book?I tried a wide range of therapists, all of whom were good, but stand-outs were Varvara and Eleftheria, whose skills took massages and facials to a new level. What makes it different?It is the combination of the type of medical treatments that you might want, the excellent gym, the calming water circuit, and the great skin care brands (111Skin and Comfort Zone) all in a manageable and non-clinic-like space which makes it stand out from the crowd. A real 360-degree wellness experience. What else do they offer? The spa facilities here are attached to a luxury resort, which means that everything you might want is on tap. Food is particularly good here with a wide variety of restaurants offering menus from authentic Greek, such as grilled octopus with fava bean puree and caper chutney, at the Taverna or, best eaten with your feet in the sand, the fried calamari with aioli sauce at the Beach House (also don’t miss their shrimps with saganaki tomato sauce). In fine-dining Ocean Restaurant, keep space for the almond souffle with almond ice cream. This is the kind of spa holiday where you can indulge in a cocktail or two watching the sun go down. These have been curated by Athens-based cocktail masters, The Clumsies, taking inspiration from the Cretan terroir. Try ‘Summer in Crete’: a sour and spicy mix of rum, locally grown sage, lemongrass, pineapple and Salicornia. There are plenty of activities outside the spa too, dotted around the 35-hectare resort. There is a RIB boat to rent, which can take you to visit the famous Spinalonga Island, about 20 minutes away. There is hiking in the spectacular Richtis Gorge, about an hour away in a protected national park, and windsurfing, kitesurfing and diving can all be organised at the dive centre. There are also regular events, such as olive oil tasting, where you can explore the highly awarded Cretan olive oil with experts. There is also a children’s club on site. Where do you stay? This is a 290 villa, suite and room resort, with room and villa types in all categories. The best are the villas or the one-bedroom sea view suites with a private pool and a terrace to eat the tempting Firefly in-room dining dishes on (try the snack of bao buns with shrimps and lemongrass mayonnaise). But all are spacious and rooms are well spread out over the large resort, giving a feeling of privacy wherever you are. Colours are calm and muted with lots of natural wood and stone with bathrooms in marble and offering a separate shower and tub. Buggies help you get around if you don’t like walking and the service is impressively quick. There is even a funicular to get from the beach to the rooms on the cliff top.Anything else to mention?The staff stand out as being brilliant at going above and beyond. Here they remember your name, how you like your coffee and which is your favourite sunbed. It is the same in the Kēpos by Goco spa, where therapists go that extra mile. Final wordThis is ideal for couples where one wants to get back into shape and another wants some serious me-time with facials and massages. Or for families where each member will be satisfied with activities and facilities, coming together to enjoy the excellent food under the Greek sun. More than a holiday and more than a spa retreat, it is both, brilliantly bundled together. Healing Holidays (healingholidays.com/condenast; 020 7843 3592) can arrange a 4-night stay from £3,088 per family of four sharing, including transfers and half board accommodation." - Mary Lussiana
