Charismatic Crete is almost a country in itself. As the Mediterranean’s fifth largest island, this varied landmass has plenty of space for all kinds of experiences, from city breaks and beach escapes to mountain hikes and cultural immersions — and with a gentle climate and year-round sunshine, there’s never a bad time to visit.
Most of the beach resorts (from all-inclusives to boutique hotels) are strung along the north and east coasts, where the longest sandy stretches are found. The north also offers Crete’s main cities, Chania and Heraklion, as well as historic attractions such as the ruined palace at Knossos — a remnant of the long-ago Minoan civilisation. Head inland to find dramatic gorges and mountain vistas, or take day trips to the west coast’s Caribbean-style white sands at Balos or the pinkish hues of Elafonisi, whose dunes bloom with scented sea daffodils. Plan your luxury holiday to remember with our pick of the best hotels in Crete.
Main photo: Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas
1. Asterion Suites & Spa, Pyrgos Psiloneros
Best for contemporary style
Named after a mythological king of Crete, Asterion Suites & Spa sits right on the waterfront of Pyrgos Psiloneros, a little to the west of buzzing Chania. Beyond its seafront setting, the hotel’s modern lines, earthy tones and natural materials (wood, wicker, stone) will satisfy even the most design-conscious of guests. In keeping with Asterion’s story (he is said to have had a celestial birth), all 67 suites have names (Cosmos, Planet) inspired by astronomy, with some benefiting from private pools and direct beach access. The Greek gods would approve.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price ££
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2. Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel, Elounda
Best for family holidays
Built with a nod to the style of a traditional Greek village, this beachfront resort is a winner for its excellent facilities. Its Kid’s Ark caters to toddlers and teens, covering sports, games and all sorts of activities from painting to pyjama parties (there’s even a kids’ wellness programme). Complementing this is the vast array of grown-up diversions that include golf, diving, yacht hire and a sleek Six Senses spa. Accommodations span one, two and three-bedroom suites, many of which come with private pools or direct access to the beach.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price £££
3. Cayo Exclusive Resort and Spa, Plaka
Best for privacy
There’s a strong sense of getting away from it all at Cayo Exclusive Resort and Spa. Every beautifully designed guestroom and suite has its own generous terrace equipped with a private plunge pool and views across the bay to castaway Spinalonga Island. There’s even a stretch of Plaka Beach reserved for the hotel, where guests will find parasols, loungers and Stone Beach House: a laid-back bar serving light meals and cocktails. What’s more, the menus at all four restaurants are by acclaimed chef Lefteris Lazarou.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price ££
4. Creta Maris Beach Resort, Hersonissos
Best for all-inclusive
Holidays come with no stealthy extras at this all-inclusive resort on Crete’s north coast. With 680 rooms, this is no intimate retreat; but the scale allows for a huge range of facilities. There are 15 pools and an aquapark plus tennis, golf and a cinema alongside a full programme of activities to satisfy kids and teens. But what really sets Creta Maris apart from other all-inclusive resorts is the calibre of its service and cuisine, with six restaurants serving Cretan and other Mediterranean dishes made with ingredients sourced predominantly from the island.
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Spa Y
Pool Y
Price ££
5. Milia Mountain Retreat, Vlatos
Best for immersions in nature
Replenish mind and soul with a step-back-in-time, restorative disconnect at this off-the-beaten-track retreat in the mountains of western Crete. It’s set within a formerly abandoned village of tumbledown dwellings restored and brought back to life as guest accommodations. From bijou cottages to larger suites and family apartments, each stone-and-timber unit is traditionally furnished to enhance the sense of authenticity. The restaurant serves simple, home-cooked Cretan cuisine using local cheeses, meat and vegetables from an organic garden. Activities include cooking seminars and guided hikes on mountain trails.
Spa N
Pool N
Price £
6. Daios Cove, Vathi
Best for wellness
This high-end resort’s position — stretching out along a coastal cliff overlooking a private cove — ensures that all of the rooms, suites and villas come with gorgeous sea views as standard. Of all its facilities, Goco Spa stands out for its treatments and classes that focus on cardio, core and conditioning to help keep guests looking and feeling their best. Dining-wise, six restaurants turn island-sourced produce into taverna-style favourites and typical Mediterranean dishes. There’s also The Clumsies, a cocktail bar whose Athenian original made the World’s 50 Best Bars list.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price ££
7. Blue Palace Elounda, Plaka
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Best for sea views
Positioned between a fishing village and the chic port of Elounda, Blue Palace (a Luxury Collection resort) sits on a sea-facing slope overlooking Spinalonga. The pink-hued bungalows, villas and suites are dotted among landscaped gardens, with each one benefiting from that mesmerising view. Decked out in pristine whites, each guestroom is spacious and relaxing. All open up on to generous verandas and many have private infinity pools. Down on the shore, there’s a pebbly beach and a waterfront spa and fitness centre, plus farm-to-table dining at a traditional Greek taverna.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price £££
8. Nana Princess, Hersonissos
Best for staying in shape
There’s no excuse for letting your workout routine go to pot when on holiday — especially if your hotel suite comes with its own private pool and gym. With ten room categories to choose from, there are facilities to suit all types of traveller, but common to all are sea views, outdoor spaces and generous dimensions (not to mention up-to-date tech and smart lighting). The hotel also features a spa, two seawater pools and three restaurants, plus a sandy beach with a choice of cabanas for whiling away lazy days.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price ££
9. Royal Blue, Panormos
Best for entertainment options
There’s a definite party vibe at this luxury north coast hotel, located between Rethymno and Panormos. Credible Greek and international DJs put on shows throughout the summer season, with the intimate events held by the beach or pool bar, exclusively for guests. If barefoot dancing isn’t your thing, there are pop-up happenings with award-winning chefs, guest bartenders and ambassadors for brands such as Moet & Chandon; or sign up for a workshop with a professional photographer. The 70-acre resort also has tennis, minigolf and its own marina.
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Spa Y
Pool Y
Price ££
10. Porto Veneziano, Chania
Best for urban buzz
This urban boutique bolt hole sits on the waterfront of vibrant Chania, looking out across the historic Venetian harbour. The rooms, while not large, are comfortable and have either sea or city views from private balconies. Unlike most of the beach hotels, Porto Veneziano is open year-round, so the service here is polished and consistent. It’s a great base from which to explore Chania, Crete’s second-largest city, whose Old Town is home to monuments, mansions and atmospheric alleyways. The breakfast of Cretan specialities in the harbourfront restaurant is a genuine highlight.
Spa N
Pool N
Price £
11. Domes Zeen, Chania
Best for a faraway feel
Palm trees and tropical plantings add some serious Indian Ocean vibes to this seaside retreat focused on wellness. Rooms combine an up-to-date, urban aesthetic with a natural twist thanks to the unpolished stone and grainy woods. Sticking with the tropical brief is the Jungle Spa, right on the beach, with open-air fitness classes and the services of a personal trainer. The lovely old town of Chania is an easy walk away via the coastal footpath.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price ££
12. Numo Ierapetra, Ierapetra
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Best for barefoot luxury
Billing itself as “adult friendly”, this seaside retreat offers an authentic escape from the well-trodden tourist trail. Set on Crete’s less-visited southeastern shore near the town of Ierapetra, it looks out onto Koutsounari: a 5km stretch of sand that’s one of the isle’s longest strands. It’s a place where days take a gentle rhythm of dining and cocktails by the swimming pool. The relaxed, sophisticated rooms reflect the colours of the sun-baked Cretan landscape and come with outdoor living areas and private pools for a heightened sense of modern luxury.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price ££
13. Candia Park Village, Agios Nikolaos
Best for budget-conscious breaks
Built to resemble a Cretan village (complete with traditional kafenio and clock tower in the central square), this family-friendly hotel offers a range of accommodation. Each apartment or suite is housed in a pastel-painted block and comes equipped with a kitchenette to give guests the option to self-cater. Dining choices on site include two bars, a restaurant and a taverna for sampling Cretan and Mediterranean cuisine that’s authentic and fresh. It’s located midway between Agios Nikolaos and Elounda on a hillside plot that commands epic views across Mirabello Bay.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price £
14. Amirandes Grecotel Exclusive Resort, Gouves
Best for beachfront elegance
Opulence is the order of the day at this luxury beach resort near Heraklion, the island’s capital. Styled after the long-ago palaces of Minoan kings and Venetian nobles, the sprawling seafront property offers 212 guestrooms, bungalows, suites and villas, many with private pools; the main outdoor pool is Olympic-sized. The atmosphere is refined but accessible, elegant yet not at all stiff. Fine dining, a spa and a sunset lounge on the sand provide ample distraction, while the nearby Palace of Knossos makes a memorable day trip.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price ££
15. Paralos Irini Mare, Agia Galini
Best for escaping the crowds
Set on Crete’s southern shore, well away from the tourist crowds elsewhere, this independently owned hotel offers a casually classy, laid-back environment. Surrounded by gentle hills and overlooking the Libyan Sea, it’s within easy reach of the traditional village that supplies a number of the hotel’s staff. Sustainability and green initiatives are big drivers here: pools are chlorine-free and the restaurant sources ingredients locally (including homemade olive oil and garden-grown produce). There’s no spa, but massage services are available on request.
Spa N
Pool Y
Price ££
16. Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa, Analipsi
Best for child-free escapes
There’s a definite honeymoon vibe at this adult-only playground on Crete’s north coast, not far from Hersonissos or Heraklion. The resort is built on and around a giant lagoon-style pool: some of the rooms are “swim-up” style with direct access to the water. Daybeds, hammocks and sunken seating provide plenty of choices for lounging around, with further relaxation to be found at the Elemis spa. Equally impressive are the restaurants, especially the Cretan cuisine at Vegera and Umami’s robata-grilled Asian goodness. Rounding off the culinary offering are several excellent cocktail bars.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price ££
17. Minos Beach Art Hotel, Agios Nikolaos
Best for culture vultures
As if a seaside setting and chic architecture weren’t elegant enough, this lovely beachfront hotel goes one better: it has its own gallery and sculpture garden. Stretched across more than 2km of coastline, the property’s bungalows and villas (some of which have private pools) take their inspiration from eastern Crete’s fishing villages and are merged into their setting thanks to thoughtful Mediterranean landscaping. Many of the garden plants (lavender, olive, pomegranate) also feature in and fragrance the premium products used at the spa.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price ££
18. Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas, Elounda
Best for indulgent beach breaks
Scenically positioned between the mountains and the sea, Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas was the first of this area’s luxury hotels and is still considered one of the finest in Greece. A member of Leading Hotels of the World, this luxurious haven is home to a renowned resort spa, extensive facilities and multiple restaurants spanning Greek to Japanese/Peruvian fusion. The all-sea-view accommodations range from classic rooms with balconies to waterfront bungalows and villas, all with generous dimensions. The result is a stay that’s big on comfort, privacy and excellent service.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price ££
19. Azade Boutique Hotel, Chania
Best for romance
Take a building dating from the 1400s, give it an architecturally striking renovation and voilà: you’ve got the truly remarkable Azade. This boutique hotel near the waterfront of Chania’s charming Old Town has an inventory of just nine luxury suites, each one individually decorated and simply furnished in a minimalist style enhanced with interesting pieces of art (book an upstairs room for views to the port and lighthouse). There’s no pool, but a water feature cools the courtyard: perfect for alfresco breakfasts or dining on local Cretan cuisine.
Spa Y
Pool N
Price ££
20. Paralos Venus Suites, Analipsi
Best for boutique style
Hankering for a child-free environment that’s big on grown-up facilities? Look no further than Venus Suites on Crete’s north coast, near Hersonissos. Among the features that make this stylish, 65-room property shine are a wine cellar, rooftop bar and open-air gym, plus excellent service and a strong commitment to local gastronomy. Built with a nod to ancient town planning, the complex is constructed around a central space containing the main pool and restaurant. Minoan heritage, urban Heraklion and plenty of nightlife are all found nearby.
Spa N
Pool Y
Price ££
Take me there
Inspired to visit Crete but yet to book your trip? Here are the best packages from TUI Holidays* and British Airways*. And if you’re still unsure of where you want to go or what type of holiday to book, get in touch here and one of the Designer Travel experts will be in contact to help you arrange your perfect tailor-made break.
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