Why Domes Zeen Chania might just be Crete's coolest secret
Seamlessly combining family-friendly sophistication with laid-back romantic appeal in an enviable location, Domes Zeen Chania is a Cretan escape with enticing new developments for this summer.
Overlooking the Aegean sea, just minutes from Chania's vibrant old town, Domes Zeen Chania has something for all ages and offers a rare balance of boho-chic luxury and cultural immersion, making it one of Crete's most versatile five-star stays.
With its recent Michelin Key recognition, Montessori-inspired kids' club, and the new Zamana Beach Club, this design-led escape is an ideal option for agents keen to increase bookings in the luxury and family sectors and for repeat visitors to Greece.
A new beach scene
Fusing Cretan culture with cosmopolitan flair, Zamana Beach Club is new for 2025, bringing a laid-back yet elite coastal hotspot to Chania. Blending in with Domes Zeen Chania's earthy tones and boho-chic design, the space flows from beach bar and daybeds to a restaurant and laid-back lounge open to both resort guests and discerning locals.
Here, mindful Mediterranean playlists set the tone for immersive culinary experiences – diners can enjoy Cretan menus infused with subtle Japanese and Mexican influences. This new venue is a great talking point for agents who can highlight it to clients before word gets out.
Sell it: Zamana Beach Club is opening soon for the 2025 summer season, so use it to upsell the resort to honeymooners, couples or clients who love a curated beach scene.
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Edinburgh Reporter
10 hours ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Late night dining done right – Duck & Waffle's 9PM Club
With the Edinburgh Fringe fast approaching – and my recommendations spreadsheet nearly complete – my attention has turned to where's good to eat during the festival season. Sometimes it's a case of grab-and-go from the excellent street food vendors that pop up around venues. But other times you want to catch a show and have a proper catch-up with friends, which calls for a restaurant booking. My advice as a seasoned Fringe-goer? Plan and book ahead. Restaurants get busy, and if you're after late-night dining, many Edinburgh establishments close their kitchens around 9 pm. We're not quite Mediterranean in our dining culture – where heading out for dinner after 8 pm is the norm rather than my usual bedtime! Edinburgh isn't particularly renowned for late-night dining establishments where you can 'chew the fat' over great cocktails, conversation, and decent food. However, a little birdy let me know that Duck & Waffle does exactly that. So, getting in practice for my occasional late-night Fringe outings, I headed to Duck & Waffle to try their 9PM Club. A Gastro-Diner Experience in St James Quarter Set in the heart of Edinburgh's acclaimed St James Quarter, Duck & Waffle focuses on duck – particularly their signature dish and namesake. This 'gastro diner' experience has become a hallmark of the brand. They welcome guests for all-day brunch, dinner, Sunday roast (one of the best I've had in Edinburgh, alongside The Bonnington), and cocktails. The décor is genuinely impressive – from the striking entrance via the lift from Leith Street, to the oversized feathered lampshade extractor fan above the chef counter where guests can perch on bar stools and watch the action unfold, right through to the outdoor terrace. Duck & Waffle deserves a place in your little black book for entertaining friends or visitors who fancy a late-night bite. The 9PM Club: Sip, Savour, Stay Longer Their 9PM Club allows you to do exactly that. Every night from 9 pm until close (1 am), you can enjoy 25% off dinner. Reservations must be made in advance – walk-ins aren't eligible – but the excellent news is that the 25% discount applies to your entire bill. We sampled some of their impressive cocktails on the open-air terrace with views out to the Balmoral clock. Their 'Beverage Book' menu is extensive, covering just about everything under the sun. With the sun making a welcome appearance and it being a warm summer's evening we took advantage and had our cocktails out on the terrace. What caught our eye was their Tequila Edit – a series of shaken, stirred, and served-with-flair tequila cocktails, reasonably priced at £10 each. Alternatively, you can opt for a tequila cocktail flight, choosing three from the five on offer for just £25. We indulged in the latter. My favourite was the Ginger Grass – a zesty, tart creation that was less sweet than the Kiwi-Rita (served over a block of ice, though the agave presence made this too sickly for my palate). The Main Character Marg, served with house pickle and chilli, is worth sampling. Late Night Feast Time was getting on – well past my usual witching hour. We didn't actually sit down to eat until 9.45 pm, where we were looked after by our lovely Italian waiter, Christian, who embodied everything you want in service: charming, attentive without being overbearing, and genuinely informative. The menu is divided into snacks, breads, raw, small plates, and large plates – designed, in line with current trends, for sharing. Famished (having last eaten at lunch), we started with one of their freshly baked breads: the Nduja & Gruyère Cheese with parmesan and herb dip, which proved plenty for two to share. We also ordered their bacon-wrapped dates, stuffed with chorizo and Manchego – these are definitely NOT for sharing. The dates cost £4 each and arrive presented on striking porcelain in nouvelle cuisine style. Stylish, though they're essentially one or two bites! For main course, my guest chose the signature Duck & Waffle, which Christian helpfully and stylishly served for us. It's a gastro remake of pancakes with crispy bacon and maple syrup – their signature dish features a waffle topped with crispy leg confit and fried duck egg, accompanied by maple syrup with sesame seeds. Nice enough, though we both agreed it felt more like a brunch dish and was too sweet for me at that time of night. I opted for something more savoury: the Half Roasted Corn Fed Chicken with wild mushrooms, ratte potatoes, truffles, and an abundance of tarragon. This was a generous serving and delicious. We also ordered Truffle & Parmesan Fries (a generous portion) and Tenderstem Broccoli with hummus and chilli crunch. Honestly, our eyes were bigger than our stomachs – the chicken didn't need the additions. As the Balmoral Clock hands crept well past my bedtime, we passed on desserts, both happily satiated and very full, before catching the last tram and bus home. Supporting a Good Cause If you're quick, they're celebrating Pride with a special close to their hearts. For every Pride special sold, they're donating £1 to LGBT Health and Wellbeing Scotland, the leading charity for LGBT+ adults, providing vital support through counselling, peer groups, and inclusive community events. On offer: a Thirst Trap cocktail – a floral, fizzy, fabulous delight (Bombay Sapphire gin, aloe vera juice, verjus, Monin bubblegum syrup, crème de cassis, citrus, served long over ice, topped with rose lemonade) for £12, and Rainbow Delight – buttermilk waffle with macerated strawberries, Chantilly rainbow cream, and sprinkles. Also worth noting: their Sunday Roast, available 11:30 am-4 pm. Their two-course Sunday Roast is a quacking great deal at £32 per person. The Sunday Roast at Duck & Waffle is a quacking good deal The Verdict Unaccustomed as I am to Mediterranean-style late-night dining, next time I'll probably opt for more small plates and sides rather than bread and a main – avoiding that 3am food-baby feeling and reaching for the antacids! But with its glamorous interior, genuine style, and attentive service, Duck & Waffle earns a five-star rating from me. It's definitely worth adding to your Fringe dining hit list, or whenever you need somewhere open for late-night dining – just make sure you plan ahead. Now, I'm off to put the finishing touches on my Fringe Show Spreadsheet – watch this space. DUCK & WAFFLE EDINBURGH St James Quarter 400-402 St James Crescent Edinburgh, EH1 3AE +44 131 202 2700 Hours of Operation Sunday-Wednesday: 9 am – 12 pm (last dinner sitting 10 pm) Thursday-Saturday: 9 am – 1 am All-day brunch available 11 am – 4 pm Reservations [email protected] Like this: Like Related
Press and Journal
10 hours ago
- Press and Journal
Michelin award winning Foyers Lodge on Loch Ness listed for sale
Foyers Lodge, an award-winning boutique hotel overlooking Loch Ness, has been listed for sale with Galbraith. The business, which is on the market with a guide price of £1.1 million, received a Michelin Key in 2024, recognising it as one of UK's top boutique hotels. It offers a luxury experience in a peaceful Highland setting, with incredible views across the loch. The hotel features six en-suite bedrooms, a self-contained suite and an additional two bedroom staff or owner apartment. Originally built in the 1800's, Foyers Lodge was a traditional Highland hunting lodge with strong links to local heritage. The current owners bought the lodge in 2016 and carried out a full, high quality renovation of the property. Rooms have been carefully renovated with high-quality fittings, stylish furnishings and modern comforts throughout. Original features of the building were also restored where possible, giving the lodge charm, character and a unique Highland feel. It sits within formal gardens and woodland, and has an elevated position offering stunning views. In addition to the bedrooms, Foyers Lodge has three reception rooms and a modern commercial kitchen along with a self-catering suite. It currently operates as a successful seasonal lifestyle business with strong reviews and international recognition. The sellers say it could easily expand to host weddings, events or exclusive-use bookings. Planning permission has also been submitted for additional owner accommodation and garaging to support future growth. The hotel's location on Loch Ness's quieter southern shore is peaceful but still close to main travel routes. Inverness and Fort Augustus are both just 30 minutes away by car. The property also holds eight salmon fishing licenses on Loch Ness, plus rights on nearby Loch Bran and Loch Mhor. There is also permission to build boat houses in designated areas along the shore. In a short space of time, Foyers Lodge has won multiple national and international awards and the hotel is now ready for its next chapter. The property is currently available with Galbraith with a guide price of £1.1 million. More Highland property news:
Telegraph
10 hours ago
- Telegraph
Why a cruise is the best way to discover Greece's hidden islands
As someone who has spent roughly half of the last 15 years in Greece, writing extensively about it in the process, I'm often asked if there's anywhere in the country that I've yet to explore. With nearly 8,500 miles of coastline and 227 inhabited islands, the answer is yes, absolutely. Despite my deep connection with Greece, there are many lesser-known islands which I've yet to visit, thanks either to unpredictable Greek ferry timetables, or the fact that some of the smaller, more remote islets are simply inaccessible unless you have your own boat – or know someone who does. So when I was offered the chance to join Variety Cruises' Unexplored Greece voyage – set to call at several of the islands I'd long wanted to see – I was intrigued. Despite being a cruise, this trip guaranteed to keep me far from the crowds of Santorini or Mykonos – as did the ship itself, Harmony G, a sleek 173ft yacht with 24 ocean-view cabins and a maximum of just 49 guests – so I agreed. Our journey began with an overnight sail from Athens to Ikaria, the famed Blue Zone Island renowned for the longevity of its residents. An optional shore excursion offered a swim in the natural thermal springs where mineral-rich waters are said to work wonders for mind and body. Later, a local came aboard to explain Ikaria's secret to long life: a relaxed pace, red wine, olive oil and tight-knit community. Already I was seeing the appeal – not just of the islands, but the cruise format itself; everything taken care of, some meals onboard, excursions arranged and no logistics to worry about. Wake up in a new destination, repeat. There's something refreshing about boutique cruising. Fewer guests meant longer port stops, more personalised excursions and the opportunity to get to know fellow passengers if you wished, yet also space to find solitude with a book and sea view. The layout fostered camaraderie without obligation. Our group was a global mix – couples and friends from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand; solo travellers; retirees and professionals in their 30s and 40s. One American couple remarked they'd never been to Greece before and had chosen this cruise over more crowded spots. 'We wanted the real Greece – small towns, traditional food, meeting the locals – not lines of souvenir shops and bus tours,' they told me. Some passengers were repeat customers who'd cruised other routes with Variety, drawn by the company's itineraries and excellent service. With a crew of 21, the attention to detail was impressive, even down to the towel animals made nightly in cabins. Our itinerary, subject to the Aegean's famous winds, was flexible. We were due a swim stop at Seychelles beach on Ikaria, but rough weather meant we missed it. Later, operational reasons brought us to Naxos, where we glimpsed its grand Portara and Venetian old town. We lingered longer on Lipsi, a tiny island with only 800 residents, visited a local winery to learn about Fokiano grapes and sampled sweet red wines rarely exported That evening, a Greek dancing performance onboard – fuelled by said wine – capped our day. Next came Patmos, where we explored the Monastery of St John and the Cave of the Apocalypse, allowing a morning of spiritual and historical wonder accompanied by an atmospheric thunderstorm. Then on to Amorgos, home to the cliff-carved Monastery of Hozoviotissa with its vertigo-inducing perch and panoramic sea views. Due to adverse weather, we missed the sponge island of Kalymnos, finishing instead with stops at Iraklia – a tiny Cycladic speck – and Serifos, a rugged island with its churches tumbling down the cliffs, the quiet port and Cycladic architecture offering a perfect finale to a week of slow discovery. Unlike larger liners, Harmony G doesn't offer casinos or cabarets – and that's precisely its appeal. Entertainment came in the form of wine tastings, Greek cooking demonstrations and casual chats over shared meals. Dining was informal. Buffet breakfasts were followed by sit-down or buffet lunches or dinners with complimentary house wine. The dining area in the main deck seated small groups of four, making it easy to socialise – or not. There was a library of board games, snorkelling gear for swim stops and stand-up paddleboards for more active guests. Weather permitting, we enjoyed impromptu swims in hidden coves, and crew members arranged cocktail-making classes. Or you could simply order a drink and relax on deck. This isn't a cruise for those seeking glitz, yet it is boutique. It's for travellers who want something real, who prefer stone alleys to beach clubs, and taverna tables over long buffet lines, for people who understand that Greece's greatest treasures are the quietest: a conversation with a winemaker, a stroll through a whitewashed village, or a solo moment watching the sun set into the Aegean. As we docked back in Athens, I realised this voyage had shown me a Greece I hadn't met, yet one which is also hidden in plain sight – to islands few ferries reach, but which leave lasting memories. Essentials Rebecca Hall was a guest of Variety Cruises (0208 324 3114), which offers the seven-night Unexplored Greece cruise from £2,643 per person (plus £283 in port taxes), calling at Cape Sounion, Ikaria, Patmos, Lipsi, Kalymnos, Amorgos, Koufonisia, Iraklia and Serifos. International flights extra. Departs Athens on various dates throughout July, August and September 2025, and May-September 2026. EasyJet flies from London Gatwick to Athens from £88 return. The Herodian Hotel in Athens has doubles from £177 per night, including breakfast.
