Best Hotels in Elounda

Updated: August 24, 2026
Greece › Crete › Elounda Hotels
By Santorini Dave • dave@santorinidave.com

My Favorite Hotels in Elounda

• Best Resort in Elounda: Elounda Beach
• Best Boutique Luxury Hotel: Phāea Blue
• Best Elounda Hotel for Families: Porto Elounda
• Best Elounda Hotel for Couples: Elounda Mare

Staying in Elounda: My Tips

• Elounda is the best place in Crete for luxury resorts. This is where you come for sea views, private pools, spas, beach clubs, boat trips, polished service, and long resort days. It is not the best base for seeing all of Crete, but it is one of my favorite places in Greece for a relaxed, high-end hotel stay.
• Elounda is an area, not just one village. The main village, often called Schisma Eloundas, has the harbor, boat trips, casual restaurants, shops, cafes, and the easiest evening stroll. The luxury resorts are spread along the coast between Agios Nikolaos, Elounda village, and Plaka. Plaka is smaller, quieter, and closest to Spinalonga.
• Choose your location carefully. Stay near Elounda village if you want to walk to tavernas and boat trips. Stay between Agios Nikolaos and Elounda for the classic luxury-resort experience with sea views and larger grounds. Stay near Plaka for Spinalonga views, a quieter feel, and the short boat crossing.
• Do not expect endless natural sandy beaches. Elounda’s coastline is beautiful, calm, and sheltered, but many natural beaches are small, rocky, or pebbly. The best beach experiences are at the major luxury resorts, where the swimming areas are well maintained and easy to use.
• The sea is calm and sheltered. That is one of Elounda’s big advantages, especially for families and less confident swimmers. Many resorts have protected swimming areas, small coves, platforms, or private beach clubs.
• Spinalonga is the main sight. Boats run from both Elounda and Plaka. Plaka has the shortest crossing, while departures from Elounda village feel more like a small excursion. Either way, it is an easy break from resort life and one of the most interesting sights in eastern Crete.
• Elounda village and Plaka feel different. Elounda village is busier and more practical, with shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, supermarkets, and tour offices. Plaka is quieter, smaller, and more romantic, with waterfront tavernas and close-up views of Spinalonga. Neither is a big nightlife destination.
• Do not assume your resort is walkable to dinner. Some hotels are close to villages, but many sit on hilly or spread-out coastal roads with limited sidewalks. Taxis are useful at night. A rental car makes the area much easier if you want Agios Nikolaos, Kritsa, the Lasithi Plateau, Voulisma Beach, or inland villages.
• Fly into Heraklion if Elounda is your main base. Heraklion Airport is about 60 to 75 minutes away by car and is far more practical than Chania Airport at the other end of the island. A pre-arranged private transfer is easiest with children, lots of luggage, or a late arrival.
• Elounda vs Agios Nikolaos: Choose Elounda for luxury resorts, quieter evenings, sea views, private pools, and a hotel-focused holiday. Choose Agios Nikolaos for a real town, more restaurants, local life, easier walking, and better value. Elounda is where you stay to relax; Agios Nikolaos is where you go out.
• Best time to visit Elounda: June and September are ideal, with warm weather, good swimming, and fewer peak-season crowds. May and October are quieter and better value, with cooler water. July and August are hot, busy, and expensive, but Elounda’s resorts handle high season better than most Greek beach towns.

Where to Stay in Elounda

Elounda Village is the best choice if you want to walk to restaurants, boat tours, cafes, shops, and the harbor. It is more practical than glamorous, but the waterfront is pleasant and easy. Stay here if you want Elounda without being fully resort-contained.

The coast between Agios Nikolaos and Elounda has many of the area’s classic luxury resorts, including Elounda Beach, Elounda Mare, Porto Elounda, Elounda Peninsula, and Elounda Gulf Villas. Choose this stretch for large grounds, sea views, beach clubs, spas, private pools, and a quieter holiday where the hotel is the main event. Plan on taxis or a rental car for dinners away from the resort.

Plaka is the best area for Spinalonga views and a slower, more romantic feel. Phāea Blue, Domes of Elounda, and Cayo Exclusive are the standout hotels on this side of Elounda. Plaka itself is small, with waterfront tavernas, pebble beaches, and the shortest boat crossing to Spinalonga. Stay here for quiet and views, not nightlife.

Agios Nikolaos is not Elounda, but it is worth considering if you want more town life. It has a scenic lake, livelier waterfront, more restaurants, better evening wandering, and easier access to shops and services. Choose Agios Nikolaos for local energy; choose Elounda for resort luxury.

The 9 Best Hotels in Elounda

1. Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas

The best overall hotel in Elounda. Elounda Beach is one of Crete’s landmark resorts, set on a large seafront estate with private beaches, a marina, pools, extensive dining, and a serious spa and wellness program. It is classic and grand rather than trendy, with a long history of high-end service.

Rooms, suites, bungalows, and villas range from sea-view rooms to waterfront villas with heated pools. The resort works for couples, families, and multi-generational trips because there is so much on site: restaurants, bars, watersports, kids’ activities, wellness facilities, and access to sister-property dining at Elounda Bay Palace. The resort is large and expensive, and room categories vary enormously, so book carefully. For a classic luxury stay in Elounda, this is still the hotel to beat.

2. Phāea Blue – Plaka

The best boutique luxury hotel in Elounda. Phāea Blue sits between Elounda and Plaka with superb views toward Spinalonga, a private beach, excellent food, and a much smaller, more personal feel than the big classic resorts. This is the hotel I would choose for travelers who want serious luxury without feeling swallowed by a huge property.

Rooms, bungalows, suites, and villas are spread down the hillside toward the sea, with private pools in selected categories and excellent views from many rooms. Dining has a strong Cretan identity, including the waterfront Blue Door taverna, and the hotel leans into local food, boat trips, and experiences around Mirabello Bay rather than generic resort entertainment. It is especially good for couples and repeat Crete visitors who want character, service, and a beautiful setting near Plaka.

3. Elounda Mare Hotel

The best Elounda hotel for quiet, classic luxury and excellent dining. Elounda Mare is a refined Relais & Châteaux resort with a more personal feel than the larger Elounda properties. It sits above the sea with a private beach, lovely bay views, elegant rooms and bungalows, and access to the broader facilities of sister properties Porto Elounda and Elounda Peninsula.

I prefer Elounda Mare for couples who want quiet, excellent food, and classic luxury without a flashy resort atmosphere. Rooms and suites have balconies or terraces, while bungalows and villas add gardens and private pools. The dine-around access is a real advantage if you want restaurant variety without leaving the resort complex. Families can stay here, but Porto Elounda is better if kids’ facilities matter.

4. Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort

The best luxury hotel in Elounda for families. Porto Elounda is built for easy resort holidays with children: a sandy cove, family rooms and suites, kids’ facilities, children’s pools, watersports, tennis, sailing, and access to the larger sister-resort dining and activity network.

Rooms and suites have sea views and furnished balconies, with private or shared pools in upgraded categories. Villas add more space and private pools, which are especially useful for longer family stays. Kids’ activities are a major strength, and the resort setup removes a lot of daily logistics. If your priority is an easy family holiday with beach time, pools, and plenty to do, Porto Elounda is the best choice.

5. Elounda Peninsula All Suites Hotel

The best Elounda hotel for large suites and villa-style space. Elounda Peninsula is the most exclusive of the Elounda SA sister properties, with an all-suite and villa setup, large residences, private pools, seafront dining, and access to facilities at Elounda Mare and Porto Elounda.

This is where I would look for a high-end family trip, group stay, or splurge villa holiday where space and privacy matter. Suites and residences range from large one-bedroom layouts to multi-bedroom private residences with heated pools, terraces, and sea views. The shared resort network gives you far more restaurants and facilities than most standalone villa properties. It is expensive, but few hotels in Crete do large luxury accommodation this well.

6. Domes of Elounda – Plaka

The best Elounda resort for Spinalonga views. Domes of Elounda sits just south of Plaka with direct views toward Spinalonga, giving it one of the most distinctive settings in eastern Crete. It combines suites, residences, villas, several pools, spa facilities, restaurants, kids’ clubs, and a private beach with excellent family accommodation.

The newer Chora area adds an adults-only village of stone-built accommodations, private jacuzzis and plunge pools, and some of the closest Spinalonga views on the property. That makes Domes much stronger for couples than it used to be, while the larger residences and villas remain excellent for families. Plaka is nearby for waterfront tavernas and the short boat crossing to Spinalonga. The resort is spread out, so ask about room location if stairs or walking are a concern.

7. Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa – Plaka

Great for contemporary design and dramatic views. Cayo sits on the hillside above Plaka, looking directly toward Spinalonga and Mirabello Bay. It feels newer and sleeker than the classic Elounda resorts and is especially appealing for couples who want privacy and contemporary style.

Rooms and suites have private pools and furnished terraces, and the hillside layout delivers excellent sea views. The resort has several pools, restaurants, bars, a spa, funiculars, and a shuttle to its beach setup at Plaka. The hillside setting means using the funiculars and shuttle rather than walking directly onto the beach. Choose Cayo for the view, private pool, and design rather than beachfront convenience.

8. Elounda Gulf Villas

A wonderful boutique villa hotel. Elounda Gulf Villas is a hillside suite-and-villa property with big views, private pools, spacious layouts, and a more intimate feel than the large beachfront resorts. It is especially useful for families and groups who want room to spread out without giving up hotel service.

Suites and villas can include separate living areas, kitchens, private infinity pools, saunas, massage rooms, and laundry facilities. The resort has its own pool, wellness center, restaurant, bar, kids’ services, and a private beach club reached by shuttle. This is better for villa living and private-pool time than for walking straight from your room onto the sand. A car or taxis make the stay much easier.

9. Elounda Bay Palace

A classic Elounda resort with beachfront comfort. Elounda Bay Palace sits on a large seafront property with two beaches, pools, restaurants, bars, and access to facilities at sister property Elounda Beach Hotel. It gives you a full-service resort in a strong location without the price of the top Elounda Beach categories.

Accommodation ranges from rooms and suites to bungalows and villas, with garden, mountain, or Mirabello Bay views. Upgraded categories add shared or private heated pools, and the largest villas work well for families and longer stays. The style is more traditional than contemporary. For beach access, a large choice of accommodation, and classic resort facilities, it remains a reliable option.

Elounda Hotels FAQ

What is the best hotel in Elounda?

Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas is my favorite overall for its beachfront setting, restaurants, spa, villas, service, and huge range of accommodation. Choose Phāea Blue for a smaller, more intimate luxury stay, Elounda Mare for quiet classic luxury, and Porto Elounda for families.

What is the best area to stay in Elounda?

Stay near Elounda village if you want restaurants, shops, boat trips, and some walkability. Stay along the resort coast between Agios Nikolaos and Elounda for classic luxury hotels, sea views, spas, and private pools. Stay near Plaka for Spinalonga views, quieter evenings, and the shortest boat trip to the island.

Is Elounda good for families?

Yes. Elounda is excellent for families who want comfort, pools, calm swimming, kids’ clubs, and full-service resorts. Porto Elounda is my favorite family hotel, while Domes of Elounda is excellent for larger suites, villas, kids’ facilities, and Spinalonga views.

Is Elounda good for couples and honeymoons?

Elounda is one of the best honeymoon areas in Crete, with excellent resorts, sea views, private pools, spas, and quiet evenings. Elounda Mare is my favorite for classic romance, Phāea Blue for intimate boutique luxury, and Cayo Exclusive for contemporary design and private pools.

Is Elounda or Agios Nikolaos better?

Choose Elounda for luxury resorts, private pools, sea views, calm swimming, and a quiet hotel-focused holiday. Choose Agios Nikolaos for a livelier town, more restaurants, shops, cafes, walking, and better value. I prefer Elounda for a resort stay and Agios Nikolaos if you want to go out every evening without relying on taxis.

Do I need a car in Elounda?

No, if you plan to spend most of your time at the resort and use taxis for dinners or short trips. Rent a car for Agios Nikolaos, Kritsa, the Lasithi Plateau, Voulisma Beach, inland villages, and a wider eastern Crete itinerary. Parking at the resorts is easy compared with Chania or Rethymno Old Town.

Read More

• Where to Stay in Crete
• Where to Stay in Rethymno
• Where to Stay in Heraklio
• Where to Stay in Chania