The Luxury Hotel Guide 
A list by Tomas Mazowski.
This guide was last updated in December 2022. Hey! When I travel I love to stay at luxurious hotels - especially the kind of places that offer over the top extras and really spoil their guests with great service, nice spas, awesome restaurants and beautiful views. What more can you want? To save some time, I've put together this list of my favourite 5-star hotels and resorts in East Crete. I hope you will like it!
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1 Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel Elounda, Greece
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Resort.
Located right on the beach in Elounda, Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel features a swimming pool with a spacious sun terrace and sun loungers. A restaurant and a bar are also available, while WiFi is offered in all areas.
Each room and suite at this resort offers Cretan Sea view, is air-conditioned and is equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Units are fitted with a private bathroom. For your comfort, you will find slippers and free toiletries.
Breakfast is daily served at the dining area of Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel. You will find a 24-hour front desk at the property.
This resort has a private beach area and car hire is available. An array of activities is offered in the area, such as windsurfing and diving. Nikos Kazantzakis Airport is at a distance of 70 km. Free private parking is possible on site.
Guest review score 9.1
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2 Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay Agios Nikolaos, Greece
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Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay enjoys a tranquil beachfront location in Agios Nikolaos. This 5-star hotel features private pools, full-service spa and 9 restaurants. Free WiFi is available throughout.
A rich breakfast is available every morning at the property in sunny verandas. Guests may enjoy Greek, Mediterranean and Italian cuisine at the on-site open-air restaurants.
For the more energetic ones, the property features a well-equipped fitness centre,a tennis court, a volleyball court and a wide range of water sport activities.
Speaking German, Greek, English and French at the 24-hour front desk, staff are willing to help at any time of the day. Meeting and banquet facilities are also available.
Heraklion International Airport is 65 km from the property.
Guest review score 9.3
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3 Elounda Bay Palace, a Member of the Leading Hotels of the World Elounda, Greece
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This modern 5-star hotel is surrounded by acres of gardens, overlooking the Mirabello Bay, just minutes from beaches and the fishing village of Elounda.
Elounda Bay Palace Hotel provides a variety of large, comfortably furnished and designed guestrooms. Some rooms have terraces with direct access to the pool and others have fireplaces.
Guests can enjoy dining outdoors while taking in views of the pool and panoramic sea views to Mirabello Bay. The hotel’s Thalassa Waterfront Restaurant serves a variety of seafood delicacies and its Aretoussa Restaurant specialises in Greek and international cuisine.
Elounda Bay Palace offers a variety of beauty treatments. Facilities include a fitness centre, a tennis court, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, and a free parking area.
Guest review score 8.4
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4 Sitia Beach City Resort & Spa Sitia, Greece
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Only 300 metres from Sitia centre, this 5-star hotel offers 3 pools, a tennis court and a spa, right on a private beach area of Sitia Bay. Its rooms enjoy sea, pool or garden views and it offers a poolside snack bar for drinks and light meals.
The air-conditioned Sitia Beach City Resort & Spa rooms and suites have a balcony and a seating area. Facilities include a smart TV and mini fridge. Bathrobes, slippers and toiletries are also provided.
Guests of Sitia Beach City Resort & Spa hotel can enjoy show cooking at the buffet-style restaurant. There is also an indoor bar boasting panoramic sea views.
The resort’s spa includes a sauna, a hammam and a hot tub. The more active guests can visit the gym, while free towels are offered to those who want to relax on the beach.
Sitia Airport is less than 2 km away. Transportation links to Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos are available within 300 metres. Private on-site parking is provided free of charge.
Guest review score 8.1
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5 Sunshine Crete Beach Ierapetra, Greece
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Set on the beach, Sunshine Crete Beach has a spa centre and 4 swimming pools in Ierápetra. Boasting a 24-hour front desk, this property also welcomes guests with a restaurant, a water park and a seasonal outdoor pool. The property features evening entertainment and a kids' club.
At the hotel, the rooms include a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. All rooms at Sunshine Crete Beach have air conditioning and a wardrobe. Each opens to a balcony or terrace.
Guests at the accommodation can enjoy buffet breakfast and late continental breakfast. An Italian restaurant, as well as a buffet restaurant for lunch and dinner, featuring international and Greek specialities, are also available.
Sunshine Crete Beach offers 5-star accommodation with a sauna and children's playground. You can play table tennis and mini-golf at the hotel, and car hire is available. Facilities include tennis courts, beach volley and watersports.
Agios Nikolaos is 40 km from Sunshine Crete Beach, while Elounda is 49 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 98 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Guest review score 7.0
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6 Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa Elounda, Greece
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Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa features a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, a garden and shared lounge in Elounda. This 5-star resort offers room service, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. All rooms are fitted with a balcony with a sea view.
The resort will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a coffee machine, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a terrace and a private bathroom with a shower. At Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa every room has bed linen and towels.
A buffet, continental or Italian breakfast is available daily at the property. At the accommodation you will find a restaurant serving Mediterranean and international cuisine. Vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free options can also be requested.
The area is popular for cycling, and bike hire is available at this 5-star resort.
Plaka Beach is 400 metres from Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa, while Spinalonga Beach is 1.9 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 60 km from the resort.
Guest review score 9.3
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7 Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas Agios Nikolaos, Greece
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Nested on a hillside overlooking its private bay on the North-East part of Crete, Daios Cove boasts 165 private sea-water pools a 2,500-m² spa, and luxurious rooms with spectacular views of the cove and the sea.
The elegantly designed Daios Cove rooms, suites and individual villas offer spacious living areas and marble-lined bathroom with separate bath tub and rain shower. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat screen TV, personalized pillow menu and coffee/tea maker.
At the Pangea guests can enjoy breakfast, overlooking the crystal waters of the cove. At night it turns to an International food bazaar with lots of International theme nights. A lighter fare is served at the Ocean Club. The Greek Tavern is set at the water's edge and proposes local specialties and daily fresh catch.
Recreational amenities at Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas include 2 tennis courts, 2 outdoor pools, water sports, kids club, complimentary wireless Internet access and a 2,000-m² conference centre.
Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas is 20 minutes from the fishing village of Elounda, 10 minutes from the cosmopolitan town of Agios Nikolaos and less than an hour from Heraklion International Airport.
Guest review score 9.1
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8 Minos Beach Art Hotel Agios Nikolaos, Greece
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Boasting a stunning location beside the water’s edge, Minos Beach Art Hotel features an art gallery and an excellent health and beauty centre, along with complimentary breakfast and parking.
Situated just 800 metres from the centre of Agios Nikolaos, Minos Beach Art Hotel offers a variety of accommodation, ranging from suites to exclusive villas. Each one is well-appointed with home comforts, including LCD TV and some feature spa baths.
Relax within the beautiful setting of Minos Beach Hotel’s gardens and pools. Admire the stunning views of the sea and the bay. Swim around the picturesque coastline surrounding the resort and join in with the water sport activities, including canoeing and diving. Enjoy some pampering treatments at Minos Beach Art’s health and wellness centre.
Minos Beach Art Symposium displays the works of contemporary Greek and international artists. Admire the stunning works of art that adorn the hotel’s grounds.
After working up an appetite, savour the delicious haute cuisine and seafood delicacies on offer at the waterfront restaurant. This is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the peaceful and picturesque surrounds. A regular bus service from Minos Beach Art’s entrance takes you directly to Elounda Village and Agios Nikolaos.
Guest review score 9.1
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9 Blue Palace Elounda, a Luxury Collection Resort, Crete Elounda, Greece
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Set on Elounda coast, the 5-star Blue Palace Elounda, a Luxury Collection Resort, Crete combines luxurious accommodation with award-winning cuisine and a state-of-the-art spa. It includes infinity pools, a water sports centre and 2 tennis courts.
Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa offers elegant suites and bungalows with magnificent views to the island of Spinalonga, most with private pools. Each unit has a comfortable living area with a satellite LCD TV. Some room types enjoy private access to a section of the beach.
The Elounda Spa covers a 2,000-m² area and features indoor pools, 24 treatment rooms, 2 hammams, saunas and hot tubs. A fitness centre and a beauty salon are also available.
Guests can start their day with the Greek Breakfast, while Cretan, Italian,Asian and Greek contemporary cuisine are some of the dining options that Blue Palace has to offer, all made with the finest ingredients. A Moroccan-style bar, a pool bar and a beach bar serve exotic cocktails and finger food with spectacular views across the Cretan Sea.
At Isola Beach Club guests may enjoy an abundance of favorite libations right by the waterfront, while soaking up the sun and savoring the sea air. Indulge in fresh salads, burgers and sandwiches, signature cocktails and French rosé wine.
A private boat can take couples around the Gulf of Elounda while sipping cocktails, while a family can enjoy an amazing barbeque lunch in an isolated beach after snorkelling in turquoise waters. Guests may simply gaze at the island of Spinalonga around an open air fire at the beach club as the sun sets down. You may take a wonderful lesson with plenty of hands-on cooking with the Greek Cooking Lesson or enjoy the most exquisite wines of the island with the Cretan Wine Tasting.
The resort is 5 km away from the village of Elounda. The fishing village of Plaka is within 500 metres. Boats to Spinaloga, a National Monument of Greece, depart from there.
Guest review score 9.0
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10 Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection Elounda, Greece
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The 5-star Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection offers luxurious accommodation with spa bath overlooking the Unesco-protected island of Spinalonga and its Venetian castle. It has a spa and 4 restaurants serving haute cuisine dishes.
Each of the air-conditioned suites is uniquely decorated and has easy access to the private sandy beach. They include a spacious living room with wooden floors and a satellite LCD TV. All suites also have a private pool or open-air hot tub.
The 4 restaurants offer casual beachside settings or elegant dining rooms with panoramic sea views. Guests can taste progressive Greek cuisine, seafood, Cretan dishes and Italian cuisine. An Asian restaurant is also possible.
For guests choosing private or luxury residences, an array of Haute-Living services is available, including a dedicated villa manager, a lounge with VIP services, concierge service, private check-in, sun loungers at Spina, the VIP beach area, and upgraded welcome and bathroom amenities. Other exclusive amenities include eclectic cocktail, branded spirits and all-day snacks, signature canapes by the resort's executive Chef, afternoon tea and state-of-the art gym facilities.
The spa of Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection includes an interior seawater pool, sauna, steam room and hot tub. It also offers rejuvenating therapies, such as facial and massage treatments. Additional VIP services are upon charge and include a butler service, in-villa signature dining, VIP business package and helicopter transfer among several more.
The village of Elounda is 2.5 km away. The lively seaside town of Agios Nikolaos is within 12 km of Domes of Elounda.
Guest review score 9.0
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11 Minos Palace Hotel & Suites - Adults Only Agios Nikolaos, Greece
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With magnificent sea views from a rocky headland above Aghios Nikolaos Bay, this adults-only resort blends together all the ingredients for a relaxing holiday.
Just 2 km from the town centre, this hotel with a beach-side location offers you a pleasant site from which to enjoy the north-east coast of Crete and the capital of the Lasithi province.
Take time out to relax by the swimming pool or rest by the lapping waves of the hotel's private beach, where you can try various water-sports.
For ultimate relaxation, indulge in a beauty treatment at the spa or unwind with a gentle stroll through landscaped gardens before dinner and drinks in the evening.
Guest review score 9.0
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12 Atlantica Mikri Poli Crete Makry Gialos, Greece
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Set on the bay of Makriyialos, the 5-star Atlantica Mikri Poli Crete features its own sandy beach, 3 outdoor pools and a spa centre. The more active guests can visit the hotel’s fitness room.
It also includes 2 restaurants and 2 cocktails bars and offers elegant accommodation.
Featuring a sea or garden-view balcony, all air-conditioned suites at Mikri Poli are bright and decorated in natural tones. Each comes with a living area, satellite LCD TV and mini fridge.
Guests can choose among a great selection of local and international specialities at Laurel buffet restaurant, which boasts panoramic sea views from its veranda. Mediterranean cuisine is served at the stylish Greek restaurant.
The centre of Makriyialos village is 1 km away from the complex. Sitia Airport is at 35 km. Private on-site parking is provided free of charge.
Guest review score 8.9
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13 Elounda Mare Relais & Châteaux Hotel Elounda, Greece
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Elounda Mare Relais & Châteaux Hotel features luxurious accommodation with spectacular views over Mirabello Bay. It offers top quality restaurants, along with a variety of leisure activities.
The spacious, whitewashed rooms and suites are elegantly decorated in soft tones creating a serene atmosphere. The bungalows are surrounded by bougainvillea-filled courtyards and include private swimming pools.
The Six Senses Spa, situated in the sister property Porto Elouda Golf & Spa at 500 metres, spreads over 2,200-m² state-of-the-art facilities including a hammam and a sauna, and offers a wide range of revitalizing treatments. Among others guests can pamper themselves with massage therapies, ayurveda aromatherapy and facial treatments.
Elounda Mare Relais & Châteaux Hotel features a large outdoor pool, as well as a private sandy, Blue Flag beach, where sun-loungers and umbrellas are provided free of charge. There is also an AstroTurf tennis court with instructors and a gym.The Sea Sports Centre offers water skiing and scuba diving lessons. Other water sports such as canoeing, wake boarding and wind surfing are available.
A rich buffet breakfast is served at the Deck restaurant with its sea-view veranda. The Yacht Club offers fish specialties by the beach, while the Old Mill restaurant specializes in Cretan gourmet cuisine. A beach bar is also available.
Other Elounda Mare facilities include a children’s entertainment centre at the sister property, a 9-hole golf course also at the sister property, and a shopping arcade. Free private on-site parking is possible, while free transport within the hotel is also provided. Free shuttle to the sister property is also provided.
Guest review score 8.9
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14 NIKO Seaside Resort MGallery Agios Nikolaos, Greece
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An adult only hotel, featuring two outdoor infinity pools, NIKO Seaside Resort MGallery is situated in the town of Agios Nikolaos in Crete. The centre of the town is within walking distance from the hotel.
Rooms and suites offer an upscale luxury, while most of them feature their own plunge pool. Each unit offers either panoramic sea view or atrium view. All rooms are equipped with open space walk in shower.
Guests can enjoy their dinner at one of our restaurants, as well as drinks and beverages at the open-air roof top bars by the pools.
NIKO Seaside Resort MGallery is located within 600 metres of Agios Nikolaos Port. Heraklion Airport is 60 km away.
Guest review score 8.9
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15 St. Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas Agios Nikolaos, Greece
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St. Nicolas Bay Resort lies on a private beachfront, 1.5 km from Agios Nikolaos. It features 2 outdoor, not heated, swimming pools (not heated) and a luxurious spa and wellness centre. Its stylish accommodation offers spectacular views of the charming Μirabello Bay.
The spacious units are fitted with terraces or balconies with unlimited sea views. They come with free Wi-Fi, LCD satellite TV, DVD /CD player and elegant marble bathrooms. Some suites offer spa bath and private pool.
A rich breakfast including hot and cold dishes and Cretan specialties is served daily. Indulge in an array of cuisines such as, Asian, Mediterranean and Cretan, at the 5 on-site restaurants. A cocktail bar, pool bar and beach bar are also featured.
Relax at the spa that among others includes a thalassotherapy pool, treatment rooms, hot tub and steam bath. The facilities also feature a fully equipped gym, games room and movies showings twice a day.
St Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas is 35 km from the 18-hole Crete Golf Course. Heraklion Airport is 69 km away. An airport shuttle service is available upon request at an extra charge.
Guest review score 8.9
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16 Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel, Six Senses Spa Elounda, Greece
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Overlooking the Bay of Elounda, Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel is set on a peninsular stretch of land, with a view of Mirabello Bay and the Aegean Sea. It features elegantly decorated accommodation opening to a balcony or terrace with sea views.
Offering a living room, all air-conditioned suites and villas come with a minibar. Some units are fitted with luxurious bathrooms with steam bath, while most have a private and individually heated pool.
An American-style, a la carte breakfast can be enjoyed, whilst watching views of the bay. The awarded Calypso restaurant prepares gourmet dishes by the pool, while a selection of Greek and international wine labels are available at "Kellari" wine cellar. The "Koh" Pan-Asian restaurant, located just above sea level at the very tip of the peninsula, serves Asian cuisine.
Guests will find an outdoor swimming pool with free sun beds and umbrellas, paddling pool and care centre for children. A private sandy beach with beach service, as well as water-sport facilities and tennis courts are offered. A 50-seat cinema features private screenings of films. Located at the sister property, the exclusive Six Senses Spa is equipped with an authentic Turkish bath, where guests can experience holistic treatments and therapies.
The seaside Agios Nikolaos Town is 10 km away and Heraklion City is at a distance of 70 km. Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport is 68 km away. Free private parking is possible on site.
Guest review score 8.7
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17 Elounda Gulf Villas Elounda, Greece
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Located just a short stroll from the sea in Elounda, the family-run property offers stylish villas with a private pool, and individually decorated luxury suites with Cretan Sea or garden views. Guests enjoy 1 a la carte restaurant.
Each elegant suite features a DVD player, fully equipped kitchen with microwave and marble bathroom with hydromassage. They all boast access to the communal swimming pool. Elounda Gulf Villas have a spacious living room and hot tub.
Breakfast is served daily at the main pool terrace. Drinks are served at the stylish bar. BBQ facilities can also be found in the premises of Elounda Gulf Villas. The property offers free transfer to a private Beach Club, located within a 10-minute drive, while complimentary transfer service to and from the beach is provided.
Services like massage in the privacy of the suite or in the Elixir Spa Gallery, and diving lessons in the main pool can be provided upon request. An Elixir Spa Gallery is provided for those who like to work out.
Heraklion City is 70 km away. The town of Agios Nikolaos is at a distance of approximately 10 km. Free private parking is possible on site, and transfer from and to Heraklion Airport is offered.
Guest review score 8.5
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18 Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas, a Member of the Leading Hotels of the World Elounda, Greece
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Located on the northeast coast of Crete, the seafront Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas, a Member of the Leading Hotels of the World, features 5 tennis courts, basketball and volleyball courts and a spa centre with gym, hammam and steam bath. Hotel facilities also include a variety of restaurants serving international and Mediterranean cuisine, and 4 bars. Free WiFi access is provided throughout.
The modernly decorated and luxurious rooms, suites and bungalows of Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas offer views over the lush gardens or the Mirabello Bay. Each comes equipped with air conditioning, safe and a flat-screen TV with DVD player. The luxurious bathrooms include bathrobes, slippers, free toiletries and hairdryer. Breakfast buffet is included.
Guests can choose among a wide range of personalized body and facial treatments available at the Chenot SPA, which includes a medical, a hydro bi-ontology, an aesthetic and a wellness department. An outdoor pool, filled with sea water, is also featured on site, while activities and facilities for children are also provided.
Guests can book sightseeing excursions to explore area ruins and attractions, such as Knossos Palace, 75 km from Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas, a Member of the Leading Hotels of the World. The seaside town of Agios Nikolaos Town is 7 km away and Elounda Village is 2 km away. Heraklion International Airport is at a distance of 65 km.
Guest review score 8.3
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19 NUMO Ierapetra Beach Resort Ierapetra, Greece
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NUMO Ierapetra Beach Resort is located in Ierapetra. It has beautiful gardens, 2 restaurants, 3 bars and 2 swimming pools.
NUMO Ierapetra Beach Resort allocates 132 fully furnished rooms, all with fridge/minibar, direct phone, satellite flat-screen TV and hairdryer, as well as views of the hotel's gardens.
NUMO Ierapetra Beach Resort has a mini market, pool bar and outdoor cinema. Sports enthusiasts will busy themselves with the featured tennis court.
In the premises there is a restaurant serving Mediterranean dishes, as well as a tavern for those who prefer traditional Greek flavours.
A variety of services can be arranged by the hotel’s 24-hour reception. Mail service, car rental, medical care and tourist information are provided.
Guest review score 8.3
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20 Tui Blue Elounda Village Resort & Spa by Aquila Elounda, Greece
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Set on a private, sandy beach overlooking Mirabello Bay, this Aquila Elounda Village features award-winning cuisine, a spa, a tennis court and 5 outdoor pools. It offers accommodation with sea and garden views or private pools, set within lush gardens.
The elegant, air-conditioned rooms have an LCD TV and CD player. There is a minibar and coffee-making facilities, while wine and fruit await guests upon arrival.
Guests wake up to an American buffet breakfast. Lunch includes Mediterranean dishes and is served at the Mirabello Restaurant. The Greek Taverna Symposium serves original Greek and Cretan specialities. Candle-lit dinners on the beach can be arranged.
Guests enjoy free use of the sauna and gym, and free use of sun beds, umbrellas and showers. The spa features a heated swimming pool and 6 treatment rooms such as a chromotherapy cabin and ayurvedic suites.
The Aquila Village is 7 km from Agios Nikolaos, and only 3 km from the fishing village of Elounda. Spinalonga Island is across from Elounda and features an ancient Venetian Fortress. Public bus is available at the hotel entrance in high season.
Guest review score 8.3
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21 Blue Marine Resort and Spa Hotel Agios Nikolaos, Greece
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Blue Marine Resort and Spa Hotel is located just metres away from the sea. In addition to 2 outdoor pools, the beachfront resort features 4 restaurants and a spa.
All rooms enjoy excellent views to the sea and the bay of Mirabello. Each air-conditioned room include a mini fridge, hairdryer, satellite TV, and internet access.
The hotel spa features an indoor pool, sauna, hot tub and steam room. It also has many treatment rooms. Water sports facilities, such as canoe and water ski, are available on the beach.
The main restaurant enjoys pool view, and serves a wide variety of Greek and international dishes. Live cooking is featured in Ya Mas, a typical grill house in a spectacular location overlook the sea. Marino Al Mare a la carte and Olive Tree restaurants are located on the 5th floor, with enchanting views of the sea.
Blue Marine Resort and Spa Hotel is 6 km from the centre and picturesque port of Agios Nikolaos. Heraklion lies around 63 km away.
Guest review score 7.8
I try my best to keep this guide up to date and I last refreshed it in December 2022. Did I miss a luxury hotel that should be on this list? Send me an email and let me know!
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