Hotels
Elounda hotels: the luxury resorts we pick on Mirabello Bay
Elounda sits on a calm bay in eastern Crete, with Spinalonga just offshore. It has the largest group of five-star resorts on the island. We have chosen the ones we rate highest and explain what sets them apart.
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In short: luxury hotels in Elounda
Elounda suits you if you want peace, calm water and a resort with everything on site. Our first choice is Elounda Mare, with gardens running down to the sea and a golf course next door. Heraklion airport is about an hour away by car.
Our first choice: Check availability and prices at Elounda Mare
Why Elounda?
Mirabello Bay is sheltered, so the sea here is often calm when the wind blows elsewhere on the north coast. The resorts are spread along the shore, many with their own swimming spots and jetties. The village has a small harbour with tavernas and boats out to Spinalonga.
Agios Nikolaos is about fifteen minutes south of Elounda by car. There you find more restaurants, shops and a livelier harbour in the evening.
Boats to Spinalonga and day trips: See experiences and tickets in Agios Nikolaos
Spinalonga
The Venetian fortress on Spinalonga was a leper colony until 1957. Photo: Jan Horák / Unsplash
The hotels we pick in Elounda
Elounda Mare
Elounda Mare is a member of Relais & Châteaux and sits on a private beach next to a golf course. The spa offers Ayurvedic treatments and aromatherapy, and three restaurants give you the choice of breakfast on the terrace or dinner by the sea. Guests rate the hotel 9.8 out of 10.
Best for: couples and families who want a classic luxury resort by the sea.
Good to know: The hotel welcomes pets, which is rare among the luxury hotels here.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Elounda Mare
Phāea Blue, Elounda
Phāea Blue is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and sits at Plaka, directly opposite Spinalonga. Three restaurants, two bars, a pool and a spa with hot stone massage make it easy to stay put all day. The gym is open around the clock.
Best for: travellers who want the view of the island from the terrace.
Good to know: Boats to Spinalonga leave from Plaka, close to the hotel.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Phāea Blue
Spinalonga on the horizon
From the rooms at Phāea Blue you look out towards Spinalonga. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa
Cayo sits in terraces down to the sea at Plaka, with five restaurants, three bars, an indoor pool and a pool bar. The spa offers Ayurvedic treatments, and transport to the beach is included. Guests rate the resort 9.8 out of 10. From the terraces you look out over Mirabello Bay.
Best for: couples who want sea views and plenty of restaurants in one place.
Good to know: There are slopes between the levels, so check the room type if you would rather not walk much.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa
Domes of Elounda
Domes of Elounda is an Autograph Collection resort with a private beach, diving, snorkelling and windsurfing. Five outdoor pools, an indoor pool and five restaurants leave room for everyone. The kids club is included. The spa offers massage and aromatherapy, and room service runs around the clock.
Best for: families who want space, a beach and lots of pools.
Good to know: The resort is large, so ask for a room near the beach if that matters to you.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Domes of Elounda
Elounda Beach
Elounda Beach is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and has a private beach with cabanas included in the price. There are five restaurants, three bars, a marina and seven tennis courts. You can have a massage on the beach and dive or snorkel right offshore.
Best for: travellers who want to walk into Elounda in the evening.
Good to know: The hotel is popular, so book early for high season.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Elounda Beach
Just south of Elounda
Daios Cove
Daios Cove has its own cove with a private beach, a beach bar and diving. There are outdoor and indoor pools, three restaurants and a spa with hot stone massage. The kids club is included, so the resort suits families too. The rooms sit in terraces above the sea, looking out over the cove.
Best for: families and couples who want a sheltered beach.
Good to know: You need a car or a taxi to get out of the cove.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Daios Cove
Minos Beach Art Hotel
Minos Beach is a member of Design Hotels and sits by the sea in Agios Nikolaos. There are four restaurants, among them La Bouillabaisse, three bars and a spa with a sauna. Bikes are included, so you can cycle into town.
Best for: travellers who want a resort and a town in one.
Good to know: The shore here is rocks and jetties, not a long sandy beach.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Minos Beach Art Hotel
Our first choice in Elounda
Elounda Mare
Elounda Mare sits by the sea in Elounda, with gardens down to the water and a golf course next door. The hotel has three restaurants and a spa. In the morning you swim from the jetty, and in the evening you walk to the tavernas in the village.
Frequently asked questions about hotels in Elounda
How far is Elounda from the airport?
Elounda is about an hour by car from Heraklion airport, depending on traffic. Many of the resorts can arrange a transfer if you ask when you book. With a hire car you also have easy access to Agios Nikolaos, Spinalonga and the beaches further east.
How do you get to Spinalonga from Elounda?
Boats leave from the harbour in Elounda and from Plaka, just north of the village. From Plaka the crossing is shortest, only a few minutes across the strait. In summer there are many departures, but go early in the day to avoid the largest groups. Bring water and shoes for rocky paths.
When is the best time to visit Elounda?
June and September are good months, with a warm sea and fewer guests than in July and August. Many of the resorts close in winter and reopen in April or May. If you want to combine swimming and excursions, May and October are also pleasant, with milder temperatures.
Is Elounda good for families?
Yes, several of the resorts have kids clubs, shallow pools and calm places to swim. Domes of Elounda and Daios Cove suit families well. The bay is sheltered, so the sea is often calmer than elsewhere on the north coast. If your children are small, check that the hotel has a beach and not only jetties.