Overlooking the Gulf of Mirabello and the medieval fortressed isle of Spinalonga, the views from Blue Palace are something special. And this popular large resort absolutely makes the most of its idyllic setting – style and charm exude from the stunning design, with curved arches that frame the scene and terrace pools that appear to float mid-air. A visit to the resort’s pièce de résistance – the spa – is a must. Stop here for ultimate relaxation at this beachfront haven of tranquillity where you can enjoy a traditional olive oil massage or soak in a thalassotherapy pool. Keen golfers might like to know that hotel guests get discounted green fees at The Crete Golf Club, around 30 minutes’ drive away. There's also a real focus on creating authentic Greek moments with weekly talks by local artists in the Arsenali Lounge Bar. The hotel gently cascades down a hillside, but the usual inconveniences of an elevated property don’t apply here – there’s a glass lift that takes guests down to the long private white-pebble beach, which looks out to a national monument and has a wooden deck with loungers and parasols. The Isola Beach Club is a cool spot set among olive trees, with a DJ and top mixologists. Blue Palace is known for its à la carte dining. Asian and Italian cuisine are on offer here and there’s also a charmingly traditional taverna, the Blue Door, serving classic Greek dishes. Another place to sample organic garden-to-table Greek dishes is the new restaurant, Anthós, which is set right next to where some of the ingredients are grown. The rooms here have a neutral colour scheme and a balcony or terrace. For the best way to make the most of the views, opt for one of the bungalows with a private plunge pool. And if you like your pool water warm, be sure to choose a bungalow with a heated pool. At the top end there are the Island Luxury Suites with Private Pool. Each named after a Greek island, they are beautiful in design and have a separate living room plus patio with large heated pool, and guests here enjoy exclusive benefits.
Daios Cove has a cool and sophisticated vibe, and a child-friendly private sandy beach whose shallow waters are great for families. The infinity pool – heated all summer – is surrounded by a sun terrace providing glorious views of the private cove. And there’s even a funicular-style lift or golf buggies to take you back to your room. For dining, the open-air Beach House is located in a scenic private cove and plays breezy chill-out tunes against a backdrop of the waves. Food here is seasonal and locally grown and cocktails are inspired by the sun-drenched coastline and flora of Crete. Pangea is the main buffet-style restaurant. The atmospheric Taverna is great for Greek and à la carte dishes with a view while for poolside fine dining, Ocean is a great spot. The 2020 menu here has been designed by the team at Ducasse Conseil, with dishes inspired by the sea and land. You can dine inside an elegant dining room or out on the sun dappled terrace with its earth textures and stone walls. Once dinner is over, head to the Ocean Poolside Lounge where there are DJ nights and other live events. The lounge has a wonderful menu of cocktails created by the award-winning masterminds behind The Clumsies, one of the world’s best bars. And with the dine-around Half Board option, guests can enjoy meals at the main buffet-style restaurant, or take advantage of a set credit at the three à la carte restaurants. The Deluxe Rooms have a sea view and you can upgrade to room with a private pool. For a luxurious family escape, the two-storey Two Bedroom Family Villa has two en suite bathrooms and a private pool and is set up perfectly for those with young children, meaning you can travel light. Book a Junior Suite room type or higher to enjoy Residents’ Club benefits like meals, selected drinks and ice cream for kids.
One of the island’s most sought-after hotels, St Nicolas Bay occupies a secluded spot in pretty citrus gardens overlooking Mirabello Bay. It’s luxurious yet comfortable, tranquil yet close to vibrant ‘Ag Nik’, and typically Greek on the outside with pristine white exteriors while the interior is modern and stylish. By day, laze on the protected cove’s private sandy beach before taking a dip in the clear shallow waters. There are even steps straight into the sea. The main pool area has two adjoining pools (one that’s heated) and a pool bar for refreshing drinks. At the Poseidon Spa, Elemis and Cinq Mondes products are combined with seawater therapy for revitalising treatments for the face and body. There are five restaurants serving a diverse range of cuisine. Start your day with breakfast at the Club House, dine at Blue Bay for à la carte lunch, and then choose from three à la carte restaurants for dinner. Labyrinthos offers buffet-style dining and has an open kitchen and a terrace for al fresco dining; poolside Minotaure brings a sushi menu and international fine dining, perfect for romantic candlelit dinners under the stars; and barbecues are hosted by the beach at The Greek Kafenion with seafood and authentic Cretan food. There’s also an entertainment programme with live musicians and orchestras. Rooms and suites are light and airy. Double Limited Sea View Rooms have a modern design and open up to a balcony. Interconnecting rooms can be requested for families. Uninterrupted views are reserved for the front-row Junior Suites and Suites, which have a secluded terrace for extra privacy and a large private seawater pool (heated April to mid-May and late October).
Far removed from Agios Nikolaos and Elounda, Chania is Crete’s second largest city. Bursting with history and heritage, its Old Town’s strong Italian influence and Ottoman, Venetian and Greek architecture has long been popular with culture seekers, but there are some fabulous beaches and a high-end bar scene here, too. Domes Noruz Chania is the sister to the award-winning Domes of Elounda resort and sits on the beachfront on the outskirts of the city. Its domed design is inspired by the Venetian Arsenals from Chania’s old port, but is brought up-to-date with lofty, airy spaces and sleek furnishings. There’s a cosmopolitan approach to food, with a focus on delicious organic Greek produce with an international twist. Zeen is the all-day restaurant, where breakfast corners include a bakery and vitality bar, while Raw Bar by Moët & Chandon is a chic spot for superfood salads, premium wines and Champagne. At sunset, make your way to the beach or the bar area to take in the view. The hotel encourages guests to get out and explore the local area, and its aim is to curate your experience, whether it’s arranging moonlight jazz on the beach or taking a helicopter ride over the breathtaking Samaria Gorge. Clean-lined rooms and suites all have a cool design and a private outdoor Jacuzzi or plunge pool. Upgrade to a Sublime Loft Sea View Suite for space and sea views, where you’ll have a ground-floor bedroom, mezzanine sitting area and terrace with private plunge pool. Haute Living Selection In the ‘Haute Living Selection’, which features Sublime Loft Sea View Suites and Haven Suites, you can enjoy exclusive club level services. You’ll have access to a whole level of luxury, including complimentary upgrade to Dine Around Half Board, Elemis toiletries, and personalised monogrammed bathrobes to take home.
This hotel offers understated elegance, Relais & Châteaux status and a fantastic beachfront location with views over the Aegean Sea's glistening waters. It belongs to the family-owned Elounda Hotels & Resorts complex – three low-rise sister hotels that share facilities including a 9-hole golf course and sumptuous Six Senses Spa, but have their own distinct area, with an olive grove between them. A complimentary golf cart shuttle runs between the hotels and around the resort. Privacy and personalised service are the order of the day at the Elounda Mare. There's a private Blue Flag sandy beach and large seawater swimming pool in the beautiful manicured gardens. Spend long decadent days on a lounger working your way through your holiday reads and take a dip in the invitingly warm waters. There are three restaurants at the hotel all with sea views. The Deck serves up generous breakfasts with a view, and the Yacht Club is a Mediterranean beach restaurant offering fresh seafood and traditional local dishes. The gastronomic highlight here is the award-winning Old Mill, set around an ancient millstone. It is one of Greece's finest restaurants and its setting is as charming as its menu, which specialises in Cretan cuisine created from local ingredients. There's a classic theme throughout, with old stonework, dark wood and antiques that have been collected from the owners’ travels around the world. Rooms, suites and bungalows are traditional in style. Sea View Rooms and the larger One Bedroom Sea View Suites can be found in the main building. The range of bungalows all have their own private pool. For extra space, opt for a Superior Bungalow with Private Pool.
This spectacular classic resort combines with its sister hotels – the Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel and Elounda Mare Hotel – to form the family-owned Elounda Hotels & Resorts complex, offering outstanding service and superior facilities that include a Blue Flag beach, 9-hole 3-par golf course and Six Senses Spa. The Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort is particularly great for families – it's where you'll find the impressive 'Kids' Ark' club, which has a lovely animal theme, and two kids' pools: a shallow pool for little ones and a slightly deeper pool with water slides for older children. On the waterfront overlooking the deep blue waters of Mirabello Bay, the location is superb, and the dining options are great here too. Poolside Nafsika is the resort's buffet-style restaurant, open for breakfast and dinner. Odysseas – named after Homer's seafarer – sits beside the beach, with a suspended wooden deck and glass-bottomed floor over the sea. It serves traditional Greek dishes and is a family lunchtime favourite. For Italian dishes, Aglio-e-Olio is a pretty Italian restaurant set in an old olive grove. There's also a town square here with a church and shops and a mini market for essentials, plus two bars for pre and-post dinner sundowners. If that's not enough choice, a free shuttle can take you to the resort's sister hotels for further dining options. Rooms and suites are beautifully furnished. Porto Sea View Rooms have views over the resort towards the sea and some have a shared or private pool. Porto Sea View Suites have extra living space. Two Bedroom Porto Sea View Suites and the Porto Exclusive Suite are even more spacious and have a private pool.
You’re never far from water at the stylish Amirandes, whether it’s sea gazing over haute cuisine, a dip in the spectacular Olympic-sized pool, candlelit sundowners by palatial glittering lagoons or sunbathing on the deck of your luxury suite complete with private heated pool. The hotel is fringed by a creamy stretch of coast that extends into two picturesque coves, perfect for the watersports on offer, catch-of-the-day at the swish seafood beachfront restaurant or sinking into oversized sofas for late-night drinks at the al fresco Sunset Lounge overlooking the Aegean Sea. There is a huge focus on kids enjoying themselves and adults getting the chance to relax in style. Grecoland kids’ club is open six days a week with a full programme of costumes, crafts, beach and marine activities, and the chic Elixir Alchemy Spa features an Ayurveda centre, relaxation rooms, signature treatments and an indoor pool. Service is impeccable, whether you’re enjoying a lavish breakfast spread with Greek style eggs made-to-order or indulging in a specially arranged romantic dinner on the beach. The candlelit lagoon setting of Italian restaurant Minotaur is decked out with an amazing collection of Picasso ceramics and at the superb floating Lago di Candia Grill you can enjoy fresh fish and steak alongside specialty coffees served in Bordeaux wine glasses. Kid-friendly menus are created on request at Cretan organic, Xasteria, and the standout Blue Monkey, where you’ll find Asian cuisine with a modern twist in super hip surrounds. We love that much of the produce used to create the dishes here are supplied by the Grecotel's own traditional farm. You can visit the farm, which is located in the hills about an hour and a half from the hotel, and dine at the authentic Greek restaurant (transfers not included). Superior Rooms are contemporary and elegant, with enclosed glass balconies and sea or garden views. For extra indulgence and wellbeing, Luxury Junior Suites come with their own temperature-controlled pool and gym, open-plan living area, raised king size bed and outdoor rain shower.
Nana Princess is raising the bar on the Stalida Coast as one of the most luxurious hotels in Crete. With the golden sands of Hersonissos beach right on your doorstep, it’s all high-tech beauty and extravagant design, from the sleek black stone buildings with sunken walkways that drip down towards the Cretan Sea to palatial suites with in-room gadgets that let you control the temperature of your own pool. This ultra-swish hideaway focuses on holistic wellbeing and exclusive service, capturing the essence of luxury island living. Sumptuous sun loungers and sofas line the glassy blue pools; the private beach offers personal cabanas and dedicated beach boys; and the Eternal Blue and à la carte Carpe Diem restaurants are overseen by a Michelin-starred chef. Every whim is catered for, whether it’s a cocktail at the wet bar while you dip your toes in the pool, an hour-long aromatherapy and tropical shower experience in the impressive neon-lit basement spa or chartering the hotel’s yacht for a sailing trip to the remote island of Dia complete with captain and cabin crew. All suites and villas have spectacular sea views and outdoor heated pools, and are finished with fine wood furnishings and navy and white linens. Deluxe Junior Suites have marble bathrooms, king-size beds and floor-to-ceiling doors leading out to a private pool and deck with oversized sun loungers. Ambassador Wellbeing Suites are super luxurious, with a master bedroom, living room, private pool and gym, and the choice of a Soulsteam or Soulsauna cabin.
Where private pools blend into the blues of Greece’s biggest bay, this resort is just minutes from the hot spots of Elounda and Agios Nikolaos. Follow in suit of past celebrity guests and soak up unadulterated relaxation in-resort, or hop in a taxi to the local tavernas and shops when you fancy exploring the nearby towns. The resort’s private beach club is just 10 minutes away and can be reached by hotel shuttle, where a chic set up of loungers and beach service is everything you need for blissful beach time. There are suites and villas scattered on the steep hillside and each room is different. Some rooms are classic with curvaceous bed frames and chandeliers, while others are more modern with nautical influences. Like a carefully curated collection of art, each suite or villa gives a unique experience so no two stays are the same. Rooms start with marbled and Italian fabric-draped Deluxe Senior Suites which have a separate living area. Deluxe Family Suites have a similar style and have two bedrooms close to the main pool and kids' pool. Every Pool Suite and Spa Pool Villa comes with the option of a heated pool (heated at extra cost at certain times of the year) and is generously sized; we recommend a Pool Villa for larger groups and the best sea views. Buggies are on hand to whisk you from your suite to the sea-facing infinity pool or one of the restaurants – there are two with Mediterranean and international food on the menu. Days start with a buffet breakfast with Cretan dishes washed down with Champagne. Lunch and dinner are à la carte, with the additional option of the gourmet Daphne Restaurant at dinner – and there’s a menu of crowd pleasers like burgers for kids. There’s also a kids’ club and a crèche designed by Worldwide Kids, an experienced UK-based company who have brought their concept to high-end resorts around the world. While the resort doesn’t feel like a family hotel to guests in adults-only parties, this is definitely a family-friendly resort. The kids’ club is excellent and parents can happily check their kids into one of the three complimentary sessions a day for activities like arts and crafts with warm, personable staff.
On holiday, some days call for a culture fix while others demand nothing more strenuous than sinking your toes into powder-soft sand. Agapi Beach Resort has got you covered. This box-ticking retreat is around 15 minutes from central Heraklion, with its treasure-trove museum of archaeological wonders and the Bronze Age ruins of Knossos – considered to be Europe’s oldest city. But that’s only if you can drag yourself away from the resort, with its three outdoor pools, four restaurants and four bars, spa, sandy beachfront, watersports kiosk and evening entertainment – there’s very little reason to leave. A great choice for families, Agapi has a kids’ club, jam-packed activity programme and balmy shallows lining the long beach; plus a toes-in-the-sand bar and ocean-blue loungers for sun-seeking parents. Family Bungalows cater for a little one (or two), while the all-inclusive plan staves off relentless hunger pangs – without breaking the bank. For food, there are Greek classics at Taverna Akrogiali, Italian favourites at Piazza d’Italia and street food at Taka-Taka (don’t miss Cypriot favourite, grilled halloumi), plus a buffet restaurant with international cuisine to cover all bases. Rooms and suites are cool and comfortable, with marble bathrooms and private balconies or terrace. Book a Double Room for sparkling sea views or upgrade to an Exclusive Bungalow for a white-washed cocoon with blush-pink accents and wood furniture. Some overlook the pool, others have direct access for a suite-to-swim perk. Large groups should opt for the Two-Bedroom Maisonette, which has a pair of separate pads connected by a shared entrance – ideal for friends or older families.
Grecotel reimagines the classic Greek sugar-cube architecture at White Palace, giving it an edgy, contemporary spin. A handful of sail-white buildings are dotted around a saltwater pool with sea views, connected by a web of paths winding through manicured gardens. Inside could pass for an art gallery, with light, open spaces and paper-bright walls. The Blue Flag beach is a 1000 metre stretch of pebbles and sand and there's one main pool as well as a kids' pool. Speaking of children, there's plenty to keep younger guests happy thanks to the fantastic Grecoland programme that features three age-appropriate levels - GrecoKids for 4 to 6 year olds, Greco Juniors for 7 to 12 year olds and GrecoTeens for older kids. You'll also have access to the nearby Aqua Park - Kingdom of Poseidon (transport not included). This is a foodie haven, with six restaurants rustling up everything from Cretan specialities and Greek favourites to Italian classics and Pan Asian specialities. There’s also a beachfront gelaterie for generous scoops of creamy artisan ice cream and a pâtisserie filled with the enticing aroma of baking. Throw in four drinking dens – sunset lounge, beach house, wine bar, garden theatre – and you won’t be left wanting, particualarly as many premium brand drinks are included as part of the LUXURY MADE EASY all-inclusive package. We love that you can also visit Grecotel's farm, Agrecofarm, which is located in the hills above the coastal town of Rethimno (transport is not included). Here, surrounded by vines and olive trees, you can dine on traditional Cretan dishes created using produce that's been grown and raised locally at The Taverna. As well as having dinner, you'll get to go on an early evening tour of the farm. Rooms are all white, accented with splashes of palm green, coral pink and oceanic blues in every shade – teal lamps, topaz cushions, cobalt sun chairs. Snow-bright orchids and billowing fabrics add a hint of romance, while private balconies or terraces frame enticing vistas. Pick a Double Room for lush garden or mountain views, upgrade to a Superior Guestroom for a spacious pad overlooking the sparkling sea, or book a Petit Yali Seafront Suite for a tranquil haven with access to a shared pool. Alternatively, go all out with a Villa Luxe Yali, a beachfront hideout sleeping up to four, with suite-to-sand access and your very own private heated pool – great for families or small groups.
Voted eight times as the World’s Leading Thalasso Resort at the World Travel Awards, this unparalleled wellness resort is designed to take its guests to a place of utter relaxation. Visit the modern Thalasso/spa and choose from a menu of treatments crafted to soothe all manner of aches, from firming seaweed body wraps to an aromatic hydro-jet bath to reinvigorate the senses. The impressive facilities include a hammam, Finnish sauna and a huge heated indoor pool filled with seawater. Enjoy a game of tennis at the state-of-the-art clay court tennis centre and take a lesson or two to practise your serve, or attend a Pilates class before relaxing with a massage at the Thalasso/spa. The resort is peppered with tempting pools and there is no shortage of places to take a dip. And daily access to the gym means that you can go as and when you please, if you wish to at all! A pebbled beach at one end of the hotel is a convenient place to sunbathe or swim in the sea without ever having to leave the resort. Sit down to a different menu every night as you try each of Aldemar’s six restaurants. A rich buffet dinner is served at Sympossio, the main restaurant, you can head to the snack bar Allegro for pizza, or to Albatros if you prefer to dine by the sea. Traditional Greek food can be found at El Greco, the Royal Palm restaurant brings you Asian flavours with the likes of sushi on the menu, and if you’re keen to maintain a healthy diet, Candia is just the place to order Mediterranean salads and lighter meals. The rooms are spacious and light. Choose a Junior Suite with a private pool for complete seclusion, with views of the garden and a Jacuzzi to add a touch of grandeur to your luxurious escape. See our selection of spa and wellness packages
This serene retreat has been inspired by those cool but laid-back beach retreats that line Mexico’s Tulum coastline; it’s all about bohemian luxury with those sandy tones and natural materials but with a distinctly 21st-Century character – think minimalistic clean lines, exposed concrete and accents of grey. It’s one of those resorts that manages to cater equally well for families of all ages as it does for couples – the exceptional service, unique design and easy-going but intimate atmosphere are elements everyone can appreciate. The accommodation has been thoughtfully designed with a handful of the rooms and pavilions that are perfect if you have kids in tow and others that are perfect pour deux. But it doesn’t matter who they were designed for, they all share the same exceptional style you’ll see throughout the resort with sustainable hand-crafted materials, soft furnishings that you’ll just want to sink into and large floor-to-ceiling windows that open up to let you bring the outside in. The Tropical and Sapphire Bungalows are a great choice for couples but we highly recommend one of the Sapphire Pavilions with a private pool. For families, there are the Tropical Family Bungalows which have the room for an extra bed or cot. Again, it’s well worth the upgrade to one of the Pavilions with a pool – either one that’s shared with your neighbours or a private pool. There’s a real emphasis on living like a local at Domes Zeen thanks to the collection of authentic experiences that have been designed by island insiders. You can visit a local vineyard and olive farm to taste their produce, get hands on during a ceramics workshop guided by an expert or take a tour of Chania’s characterful Old Town on foot. A favourite with active guests – and families in particular – are the Gorges Hiking Tours during which you’ll get to see the natural beauty of Crete while burning off all those honey-drenched Greek desserts. Back at the resort, there’s a great kids’ club with its cool yurts and teepees, and the soothing Jungle Spa, an open-air paradise where muscle-melting massages and rejuvenating treatments are available. We also love the daily and weekly ‘Epicurean Moments’ and ‘Be Authentic’ experiences offered around the resort which give you more of a glimpse into local life. You’ll be able to sample Cretan treats created in traditional ways and discover how to create artisan products in hands-on demos. There are also a couple of fantastic restaurants – the Beach House Restaurant and Enino Gastronomy Restaurant – where you can dine on dishes influenced by Greek and Cretan flavours and created with vibrant local produce.
Blue Palace
Daios Cove Luxury Resort
St Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas
Domes Noruz Chania, Autograph Collection
Elounda Mare Hotel
Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort
Amirandes Grecotel Exclusive Resort
Nana Princess
Elounda Gulf Villas & Suites
Agapi Beach Resort
Grecotel LUX ME White Palace, Crete
Aldemar Royal Mare with Wellbeing Escapes
Domes Zeen, A Luxury Collection Resort, Chania
