Greece › Crete › Elounda Hotels
Updated: September 30, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
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
Elounda is Crete’s best area for luxury resorts, private pools, spas, and quiet days by the sea.
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, and excellent service. 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, and cafes. Luxury resorts line the coast south of the village and continue north toward 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 on the coast south of the village for large luxury resorts where the hotel is the main event. Stay near Plaka for Spinalonga views, quieter evenings, and the shortest boat crossing to the island.
- Do not expect long natural sandy beaches. Elounda’s coastline is beautiful, calm, and sheltered, but many natural beaches are small, rocky, or pebbly. Some of the best swimming is at the major luxury resorts, which have private or well-maintained beach areas.
- The sea is usually 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 beaches.
- Spinalonga is the main sight. Boats run from both Elounda and Plaka. Plaka has the shortest crossing, while boats from Elounda village make a longer trip across the bay. Spinalonga is one of the most interesting sights in eastern Crete and easy to visit in half a day.
- Do not assume your resort is walkable to dinner. Many hotels sit on hilly coastal roads with limited sidewalks. Taxis are useful at night. A rental car makes the area much easier if you want to visit 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, and private pools. 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 usually better value, with cooler water. July and August are hot, busy, and expensive.
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. Stay here if you want some independence from your hotel.
The coast between Agios Nikolaos and Elounda has many of the area’s best 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, and private pools. The hotel is the main event, and you will probably use taxis or a rental car for dinners elsewhere.
Plaka is the best area for Spinalonga views and a quieter setting. 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.
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 large spa. It is classic and grand rather than trendy, with a long history as one of Crete’s top luxury hotels.
Rooms, suites, bungalows, and villas range from sea-view rooms to waterfront villas with private pools. There is a lot 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 feel than the big Elounda resorts. This is the hotel I would choose if you want serious luxury without feeling swallowed by a huge property.
Rooms, bungalows, suites, and the large Royal Blue Villa are spread down the hillside toward the sea, with private pools in selected categories. Food is a highlight, especially the waterfront Blue Door taverna and Anthós restaurant. Phāea Blue is particularly good for couples and repeat Crete visitors who care more about food, service, and character than a long list of resort activities.
3. Elounda Mare Hotel
The best Elounda hotel for quiet, old-school luxury and excellent dining. Elounda Mare is a Relais & Châteaux resort with a more personal feel than the larger Elounda properties. It sits above the sea with a private beach, beautiful bay views, elegant rooms and bungalows, and access to facilities at sister properties Porto Elounda and Elounda Peninsula.
I prefer Elounda Mare for couples who want quiet, excellent food, and traditional luxury without a flashy resort atmosphere. Rooms and suites have balconies or terraces, while bungalows and villas add gardens and private pools. Access to the sister hotels gives you much more 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 holidays with children: a sandy cove, family rooms and suites, children’s pools, the Kids’ Ark with waterslides, 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. The kids’ facilities are a major strength, and the resort setup removes a lot of daily logistics. This is my first choice in Elounda for families who plan to spend most of their holiday at the hotel.
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 Collection sister properties, with suites, villas, 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 or group trip where space and privacy matter. Accommodation ranges from large suites to multi-bedroom waterfront villas and residences, with private pools in many categories and heated seawater pools in selected villas. 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, directly across the water from Spinalonga. It has suites, residences, villas, several pools, a spa, restaurants, kids’ facilities, and a private beach. The larger residences and villas are particularly good for families.
The newer Chora section is adults-only (16+) with stone-built rooms and suites, a dedicated pool, and private jacuzzis or plunge pools in many categories. It also has some of the closest Spinalonga views at the resort. Chora makes Domes much better for couples than it used to be, while families still have plenty of space elsewhere in the property. 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, private pools, and dramatic views. Cayo sits on the hillside above Plaka, looking directly toward Spinalonga and Mirabello Bay. It feels newer and sleeker than the old-school Elounda resorts and is a good choice for couples who care more about privacy and design than being directly on the beach.
Most room categories and all suites have private pools; the entry-level Superior Sea View Room does not. The resort also has several pools, restaurants, bars, a spa, funiculars for getting around the hillside, and a shuttle down to its beach area in Plaka. Choose Cayo for the view, private pool, and design rather than beachfront convenience.
8. Elounda Gulf Villas
Best for villa space, private pools, and hotel service. Elounda Gulf Villas is a hillside suite-and-villa property with big views and much more privacy than the large beachfront resorts. It is a good fit for families and groups who want room to spread out without giving up a restaurant, pool, spa, and hotel service.
The larger villas have separate living areas and private pools, and some categories add kitchens and other home-style facilities. The private beach club is about a 15-minute drive from the hotel, with shuttle service available. 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 good-value alternative to Elounda Beach. Elounda Bay Palace sits on a large seafront property with two private sandy beaches, pools, restaurants, bars, and access to facilities at sister property Elounda Beach Hotel. It gives you a full-service beachfront resort 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 pools, and the largest villas work well for families and longer stays. The style is traditional rather than contemporary.
Elounda Hotels FAQ
What is the best hotel in Elounda?
Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas is my favorite overall and the hotel to beat for a classic luxury resort stay. Choose Phāea Blue for something smaller, Elounda Mare for couples, and Porto Elounda for families.
What is the best area to stay in Elounda?
Stay near Elounda village for restaurants, shops, boat trips, and walkability. Stay along the resort coast south of the village for the big luxury hotels. Stay near Plaka for quiet, Spinalonga views, and the shortest boat crossing to the island.
Is Elounda good for families?
Yes. The calm sea and large full-service resorts make Elounda one of Crete’s easiest areas for a family resort holiday. Porto Elounda is my favorite family hotel; Domes of Elounda is better if you want a large suite, residence, or villa near Plaka.
Is Elounda good for couples and honeymoons?
Yes. Elounda Mare is my favorite for quiet, traditional luxury, Phāea Blue for a smaller boutique hotel, and Cayo Exclusive for contemporary design and private pools.
Is Elounda or Agios Nikolaos better?
I prefer Elounda for a resort stay and Agios Nikolaos if you want to go out every evening without relying on taxis. Agios Nikolaos also has more restaurants, shops, and better-value hotels.
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, or a wider eastern Crete itinerary. Parking at the resorts is easy compared with Chania or Rethymno Old Town.
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