8 Best Hotels in Elounda (2026) – My Favorite Places to Stay

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

My Favorite Hotels in Elounda

• Best Luxury Hotel in Elounda: Elounda Beach
• Best Elounda Hotel for Families: Porto Elounda
• Best Elounda Hotel for Couples: Cayo Exclusive
• Best Elounda Hotel with Spinalonga Views: Domes of Elounda
• Best Elounda Villa Hotel: Elounda Gulf Villas

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 better access to the short boat crossing.
• Do not expect endless natural sandy beaches. Elounda’s coastline is beautiful, calm, and sheltered, but many natural beaches are pebbly, rocky, or small. The best sandy-feeling beach setups are created and managed by the luxury resorts. If beach quality matters, book the hotel, not just the town.
• The sea is usually calm. The sheltered coastline around Elounda and Plaka is one of the area’s big advantages, especially for families and less confident swimmers. Many resorts have protected swimming areas, platforms, small coves, or private beach clubs, though the exact setup varies a lot by property.
• Spinalonga is the main sight. Boats run from both Elounda and Plaka. The Plaka crossing is shorter and simpler. The Elounda boat takes longer and feels more like a small excursion. Either way, Spinalonga is worth doing, especially if you enjoy history, fortress ruins, and a break from resort life.
• 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, especially 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 the practical choice, about 60 to 75 minutes by car. Chania Airport is much farther and only makes sense if you are combining Elounda with western Crete. A taxi from Heraklion Airport to Elounda resorts is about 80€, a mini-van is about 110€. Taxis are usually lined up at the airport and easy to hire but private transfer is worth considering if you are traveling with kids or want as easy an arrival as possible.
• Elounda vs Agios Nikolaos: Choose Elounda for luxury resorts, quieter evenings, sea views, private pools, and a hotel-focused holiday. Choose Agios Nikolaos if you want a real town, more restaurants, more local life, easier walking, and better value. For many trips, Elounda is where you stay to relax; Agios Nikolaos is where you go out. The two towns are 15 minutes apart by taxi.
• Best time to visit Elounda: June and September are ideal, with warm weather, good swimming, and fewer peak-season crowds. May and October are excellent for value and quieter stays, though the sea is cooler in May and some resort services can be limited. July and August are hot, busy, and expensive, but the 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. This is the right area 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. Choose this stretch for large grounds, sea views, beach clubs, spas, private pools, and a quieter holiday where the hotel is the main event. The downside is that you will likely need taxis or a rental car for dinner away from the resort.

Plaka is the best area for Spinalonga views and a slower, more romantic feel. It is smaller than Elounda village, with a few waterfront tavernas, pebble beaches, and the shortest boat crossing to Spinalonga. Stay here if you want quiet and views, not nightlife or lots of hotel choice.

Agios Nikolaos is not Elounda, but it is worth considering if you want more town life. It has a scenic lake, a 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 8 Best Hotels in Elounda

1. Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas

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

Rooms, suites, bungalows, and villas range from elegant 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 beach setup is one of the main reasons to book. The downside is that the property is large and expensive, so choose your room category carefully. For a classic luxury resort holiday in Elounda, this is the safest high-end pick.

2. Elounda Mare Hotel

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

This is a strong choice for couples who want calm, service, food, and sea views 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 like variety without leaving the resort complex. Families can stay here, but it feels more grown-up and low-key than Porto Elounda. For romance, food, and quiet luxury, Elounda Mare is one of the best choices in Crete.

3. 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-friendly 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 available in upgraded categories. Villas add more space and private pools, making them useful for longer family stays. Kids’ activities are a major selling point, and the resort setup means parents can relax without constantly organizing logistics. The tradeoff is that this is a resort-first holiday, not a village-based Crete experience. If your priority is a smooth, comfortable family stay with beach time and activities, Porto Elounda is the best fit.

4. Elounda Peninsula All Suites Hotel

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

This is where I would look for a high-end family trip, a group stay, or a splurge villa holiday where space matters. Suites and residences range from large one-bedroom layouts to multi-bedroom private residences with heated pools, terraces, and sea views. Dining is strong, and the shared resort access gives you more restaurants and facilities than a standalone property. It is expensive and not the place for a lively village feel, but for space, privacy, and resort depth, it is excellent.

5. Elounda Gulf Villas

The best boutique villa hotel in Elounda. Elounda Gulf Villas is a hillside suite-and-villa property with big views, private pools, spacious layouts, and a more intimate feel than the larger beachfront resorts. It is a good fit for families or couples who want privacy and room to spread out, but still want hotel service.

Suites and villas can include separate living areas, full kitchens, private pools, infinity pools, saunas, massage rooms, and laundry facilities, depending on category. The resort has a pool, wellness center, restaurant, bar, kids’ services, and a private beach club reached by shuttle. The main thing to know is that it is not directly on the beach, so this is better for private-pool living than roll-out-of-bed swimming. Rent a car or use taxis if you plan to go out often.

6. Domes of Elounda

The best Elounda resort for Spinalonga views. Domes of Elounda sits near Plaka with direct views toward Spinalonga, giving it one of the most distinctive settings in the area. It is a large, stylish, family-friendly luxury resort with suites, residences, villas, pools, a spa, restaurants, kids’ clubs, and a private beach area.

This is a great choice if you want a resort with a sense of place. The Spinalonga views matter, especially from the right room categories, and Plaka is nearby for waterfront tavernas and the short boat crossing to the island. Rooms and villas include outdoor jacuzzis or pools, and larger residences work well for families. The resort is spread out, so expect some walking and internal movement. For families, couples, and villa guests who want views and facilities, Domes is one of Elounda’s strongest options.

7. Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa

The best Elounda hotel for couples who want views, design, and private pools. Cayo sits on the hillside above Plaka, with dramatic views over Spinalonga and the bay. It feels newer, sleeker, and more design-focused than the older classic resorts, and it works especially well for couples who want a stylish base near Plaka.

Most rooms and suites have private pools, and the hillside layout means the views can be excellent. The resort has pools, restaurants, lounges, a spa, and a shuttle to its beach club and restaurant at Plaka Beach. The downside is the hillside setting: you are not strolling casually in and out of the hotel all day, and the beach is not directly at your door. If views, privacy, and contemporary style matter more than beachfront convenience, Cayo is a very strong pick.

8. Elounda Bay Palace

The best Elounda resort for classic beachfront comfort and shared facilities. 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 is a good choice if you want a full-service resort in a strong location but do not need the very top-end feel of Elounda Beach.

Accommodation ranges from rooms and suites to bungalows and villas, with views over gardens, mountains, or Mirabello Bay. Upgraded categories add shared or private heated pools, and the largest villas work for families or longer stays. The resort has a slightly older-school luxury feel, which some guests love and others may find less contemporary. For beach access, dining choice, and resort convenience, it remains one of the most reliable Elounda options.

Elounda Hotel Advice

• Best area for most luxury travelers: The resort coast between Agios Nikolaos and Elounda village, where the big-name luxury hotels have sea views, beach clubs, pools, spas, and private terraces.
• Best area for walking to restaurants: Elounda village. It is not the most glamorous part of the area, but it is the most practical for tavernas, shops, boat trips, and an easy evening stroll.
• Best area for Spinalonga views: Plaka and the hotels above it, especially Domes of Elounda and Cayo Exclusive.
• Best hotel for families: Porto Elounda for the most family-focused resort setup, or Domes of Elounda for villas, kids’ facilities, and Spinalonga views.
• Best hotel for couples: Elounda Mare for quiet, classic luxury; Cayo Exclusive for contemporary design and private pools.
• Best hotel for private pools: Elounda Gulf Villas, Cayo Exclusive, and Elounda Peninsula.
• Best choice without a car: Stay near Elounda village or Plaka if you want to walk to at least a few restaurants. For the larger resorts, plan on taxis, hotel shuttles, or a private transfer.
• Best choice with a car: Any resort works, and parking is usually easy. A car is useful for Agios Nikolaos, Kritsa, Voulisma Beach, the Lasithi Plateau, and inland tavernas.

Elounda Hotels FAQ

Is Elounda the best base in Crete?

Elounda is the best base in Crete for luxury resorts, private pools, calm swimming, and a relaxed hotel-focused holiday, but it is not the best base for seeing the whole island. Choose Chania for a first trip, Old Town atmosphere, restaurants, and west Crete beaches. Choose Heraklion for Knossos, the Archaeological Museum, ferries, airport convenience, and central Crete wineries. Choose Rethymno for a smaller old-town stay with a long sandy beach and a convenient location between Chania and Heraklion.

What is the best area to stay in Elounda?

The best area depends on the trip. 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 luxury hotels, sea views, spas, and private pools. Stay near Plaka for Spinalonga views, quieter evenings, and the shortest boat trip to the island.

What is the best luxury hotel in Elounda?

Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas is my top overall luxury pick in Elounda. It has the strongest combination of beachfront setting, restaurants, spa, villas, service, and classic resort atmosphere. For quieter luxury, choose Elounda Mare. For a private-pool villa stay, look at Elounda Gulf Villas or Elounda Peninsula.

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 the best family-focused hotel, while Domes of Elounda is great for larger suites, villas, and Spinalonga views. Elounda is not the cheapest family base in Crete, but it is one of the easiest.

Is Elounda good for couples and honeymoons?

Elounda is one of the best honeymoon areas in Crete, especially for couples who want luxury hotels, sea views, private pools, spas, and quiet evenings. Elounda Mare is best for classic romance, Cayo Exclusive is best for contemporary style and views, and Chania is better if you want old-town romance and more nightlife.

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 for travelers who want to go out every evening without relying on taxis.

Do I need a car in Elounda?

You do not need a car if you plan to stay mostly at the resort and use taxis for dinners or short trips. A rental car is helpful if you want to visit Agios Nikolaos, Kritsa, the Lasithi Plateau, Voulisma Beach, or inland villages. Most Elounda resorts have easy parking, so driving is simpler here than in Chania Old Town or Rethymno Old Town.

How many nights should I stay in Elounda?

Stay 3 or 4 nights if Elounda is part of a larger Crete itinerary with Chania, Rethymno, or Heraklion. Stay a week if you want a relaxed resort holiday with day trips to Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos, Kritsa, and the Lasithi Plateau. Elounda is better for slowing down than for rushing around the island.

Read More

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