Where to Stay in Elounda: Best Hotels & Areas

Updated: January 23, 2026
Greece › Crete › Elounda Hotels
By Santorini Dave • dave@santorinidave.com

My Favorite Hotels in Elounda

• Luxury Hotel: Elounda Beach
• For Families: Porto Elounda
• For Couples: Cayo Exclusive

Staying in Elounda: My Tips

• Elounda is the luxury capital of Crete. It hosts the island’s most expensive resorts, often frequented by celebrities and royalty. The vibe here is exclusive and private. Many top hotels offer dine-around packages that let you eat at various restaurants within their sister properties, which is convenient since resorts are often spread out.
• Understand the geography before you book. The area is a long strip of coast. Schisma Eloundas is the main bustling village in the south, while Plaka is the quieter, more charming village in the north. The luxury resorts are generally clustered along the coast between these two points.
• Important beach advice: Most natural beaches here are pebbly or rocky. The only public sandy beach is Paralia Schisma Eloundas in the main village. The pristine white sand beaches you see in photos are almost always manmade private beaches owned by the luxury resorts. If sand is important to you, choose your hotel carefully.
• The water in the Gulf of Korfos is exceptionally calm. Because Spinalonga Island runs parallel to the coast, it creates a lagoon-like effect that protects the shore from big waves. Hotels between Plaka and Elounda village have the most sheltered swimming conditions.
• For the best views of Spinalonga Island, stay near Plaka. This former leper colony and Venetian fortress is the primary landmark of the region. Resorts in the northern part of Elounda offer dramatic, close-up views of the islet that resorts further south cannot match.
• Visiting Spinalonga: Boats run frequently from both Elounda and Plaka. The boat from Plaka is shorter (5 minutes) and cheaper. The boat from Elounda is a longer, more scenic trip (20 minutes) but costs more.
• Dining is distinct in the two main villages. Plaka is the place for fresh seafood and a romantic atmosphere at tavernas right on the water. Elounda village (Schisma) is louder and busier, offering tourist shops, late-night bars, and cafes.
• Walkability warning: Do not plan on walking between your resort and the villages (especially at night). The main coastal road is narrow, busy, and lacks sidewalks. Taxis are easy to find and the safest way to get around for dinner if you don’t have a car.
• Rent a car. While you can rely on taxis, a rental car gives you the freedom to visit the Lasithi Plateau or the town of Agios Nikolaos, which is only a 15-minute drive away. Most resorts in Elounda have large, free parking lots.
• Which airport for Elounda? Always fly into Heraklion (HER). It is a roughly 60-minute drive to Elounda. Do not fly into Chania (CHQ) unless you plan to road trip across the island; the drive from Chania to Elounda is nearly 3 hours.
• When to visit: June and September are ideal. You get warm sea temperatures for swimming but avoid the peak heat and crowds of July and August.
• Elounda vs. Agios Nikolaos: Choose Elounda for a high-end, resort-focused vacation with private beaches. Choose Agios Nikolaos if you prefer an urban feel where you can walk from your hotel to different bars, restaurants, and the lake.

The 8 Best Hotels in Elounda

1. Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas

Hotel Phone: +30 28410 63000
Lavish five-star resort spread across two white sand beaches. The grounds feature a private marina, helipad, and saltwater pool. Home to the world-class Espace Vitalité Chenot spa. The wellness center offers a hydrotherapy pool and specialized programs. Five restaurants and four bars provide diverse dining from Greek to Nikkei cuisine. Tables are available by the sea, poolside, or on the beach. Guests also have access to dining at Elounda Bay Palace. Contemporary accommodations include rooms, suites, bungalows, and villas. Most units feature sea views and private balconies or terraces. Many rooms include hydromassage baths, private outdoor jacuzzis, or heated pools. A kids’ club and teen activity program entertain junior guests. Evening entertainment includes full-moon parties, live music, and an open-air cinema. Active guests enjoy the watersports center and basketball court.

2. Elounda Mare Hotel

Hotel Phone: +30 28410 68200
The only Relais & Chateaux resort in Crete. This five-star property sits on a sandy private beach. Facilities include a seasonally heated sea-view pool, separate kids’ pool, and a comprehensive wellness center with a thalasso circuit. Gourmet dining is exceptional at three award-winning al fresco restaurants and one on-site lounge. The Premium Dine Around program grants access to over 15 restaurants across the three sister estates (Porto Elounda and Elounda Peninsula). Rooms and suites feature marble bathrooms, twice-daily maid service, and sweeping views over Mirabello Bay from private balconies or terraces. Bungalows, villas, and the Minoan Palace offer gardens and private pools (heated on request).

3. Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort

Hotel Phone: +30 28410 68000
Family-friendly luxury resort set in a sandy cove. Features the expansive Kids’ Ark club with an attached water park. The property includes a beachfront pool, a nine-hole golf course, and two children’s pools. Supervised activities range from soccer camp and dance lessons to sailing and tennis. A dedicated tabletop gaming space caters to teens. Accommodation options include rooms and one- to two-bedroom suites with sea views and furnished balconies. Shared or private pools are available as upgrades. All villas include a private pool, garden, and two bedrooms. Dining options include two flavorful Mediterranean restaurants, a beach bar, and a pool bar. 24-hour room service is available. Guests enjoy access to restaurants at the adjacent Elounda Mare and Elounda Peninsula.

4. Elounda Peninsula All Suites Hotel

Hotel Phone: +30 28410 68250
Five-star resort on a private white sand beach. An all-suite and villa property ideal for large groups and families. Amenities include a seafront pool, private yacht, and open-air cinema. Accommodations range from spacious Junior Suites to massive 7-bedroom Diamond Residences for up to 14 guests. Units feature private terraces and marble bathrooms with separate showers and soaking tubs. Most suites and residences include a heated private pool. The Koufonisi residence sits directly on the beach with sea access. Dining highlights include the renowned Il Borro Tuscan Bistro and a Pan-Asian restaurant. Guests can also enjoy a Greek a la carte breakfast, a breezy cocktail lounge, and wine tastings. Facilities at Elounda Mare and Porto Elounda are available for use.

5. Elounda Gulf Villas

Hotel Phone: +30 28102 27721
Sophisticated boutique resort arranged on a hillside. The complex centers around a heated pool with a separate kids pool and holistic wellness center. Guests access a private full-service beach club via complimentary hotel shuttle. Dining includes two Cretan restaurants featuring fresh seafood and farm-to-table meats. A pool bar serves light refreshments all day. Family services include babysitting and a kids’ club with guided activities. Suites and villas feature marble bathrooms, separate living rooms, and room service until midnight. Upgraded accommodations offer private pools, infinity pools, massage rooms, saunas, full kitchens, and in-room laundry.

6. Domes of Elounda

Hotel Phone: +30 23108 10624
Luxury resort on a private stretch of natural sandy beach. Offers stunning views directly facing Spinalonga island. Four restaurants and four bars serve creative Cretan and Greek cuisine. Five-star facilities include an adults-only pool, a seasonally heated all-ages pool, and a tranquil spa with an indoor heated pool. Families appreciate the teen club, Montessori-based kids’ club, movie nights, and family yoga. This all-suite and villa property offers open-layout suites and residences up to four bedrooms. All units feature an outdoor private jacuzzi or pool. Guests in Residences and Luxury Villas join the Haute Living Selection for access to a 24/7 manager and private lounge. Plaka Marina is a short walk or drive away.

7. Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa

Hotel Phone: +30 28410 44700
Stylish boutique resort on the hills overlooking the sea. Menus are curated by Michelin-starred chef Lefteris Lazarou. Two tiered freeform pools are accompanied by three Mediterranean restaurants and two lounges. Rooms, suites, and villas are built into the hillside and accessible via glass-walled funiculars. All accommodations feature private furnished terraces with al fresco dining tables. All but one room type include private outdoor pools (heated on request). The main building hosts music events, wine tastings, and a full-service spa. A complimentary shuttle connects guests to the hotel’s beach club and restaurant on the pebble beach of Plaka.

8. Elounda Bay Palace

Hotel Phone: +30 28410 67000
Five-star resort situated on two marvelous sandy beaches. (The buzzy main beach and a smaller secluded beach.) Guests enjoy full access to the facilities at the sister property Elounda Beach Hotel. On-site features include one outdoor saltwater pool, one indoor freshwater pool, and one children’s freshwater pool. Accommodations range from rooms and suites to bungalows and villas. All units have private balconies or terraces and marble bathrooms. Views overlook the mountains, gardens, or Mirabello Bay. Enhanced rooms offer shared or private heated pools. The largest villas feature fully equipped kitchens and up to three bedrooms. Four restaurants and three bars serve Cretan and Greek cuisine by the sea and poolside.

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