Best Luxury Hotels in Crete

Water babies are sure to be in their element at this grand resort as it has been built around a large lagoon and features an Olympic-sized swimming pool as well as direct access to the crystal clear waters that lap the shore of the beach right at the foot of the resort. Taking a stroll through the resort’s gardens is an enchanting experience as this large and lush green zone is scattered with fibreglass animals and Greek statues. The 216 rooms for guests come in a wide range of categories that will satisfy every style, while those who are searching for the most luxurious experience that money can buy should book one of the two storey villas. These stunning villas come with huge balconies and private access to the beach and swimming pool, while the views that can be enjoyed from the second storey are simply stunning.

Offering guests breathtaking views of the island of Spinalonga and the surrounding Cretan Sea, Phāea Blue is stylish and luxurious enough to make any guest feel like royalty. The suites here offer direct access to the impressive infinity-edge pool, which also delivers stunning ocean views while guests splash around or soak up the sun. In terms of style, contemporary meets tradition with pretty pebble mosaics, wooden shutters, and clay roofs. Guests have their pick from spacious bungalows and suites that are set in a pretty palm and olive tree garden. Each room boasts light and bright furnishings with golden wood perfectly complementing the marble bathrooms.

Attracting its fair share of celebrities such as Ronaldo and Lady Gaga due to the first class facilities and excellent seaside location, this exclusive resort is the first world in island-style chic. The resort is set on a hillside providing guests with sweeping views across Mirabello Bay to the island of Spinalonga and consists of several private villas for luxury lovers to choose from. Each of the villas comes complete with its own sauna and steam room, while there is even a small private gym for those who want to stay in shape while also indulging in plenty of pampering. Each villa also boasts a small saltwater pool so that guests never need to venture far in order to enjoy the best that island living has to offer. Guests will not want to miss the chance to enjoy a massage in their room while gazing out at the ocean and delicious seafood dishes that are created by the onsite celebrated chef can be served on private balconies for the ultimate romantic dining experience.

The beautiful Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas sprawls over 40 acres of the stunning coastline of the beautiful Grecian Island of Crete. The resort is comprised of a selection of contemporary and luxurious waterfront suites, bungalows, and villas with private heated pools. This resort features the Platinum Club with exclusive accommodation options and amenities including a private jet service and private in-house chefs. There are eight on-site dining options including fine dining and traditional Greek cuisine as well as four bars including the spectacular Veghera Jetty Bar overlooking the Aegean Sea and Neraida Pool Bar. Guests can enjoy the expansive outdoor pool or recharge in the penthouse Elounda Beach Spa with wellness facilities including hydro-biontology treatments. There is also a state-of-the-art fitness centre. The hotel is family friendly and offers an exciting kid’s club. The hotel is ideally located in close proximity to some of the islands best archaeological site, vineyards and wineries.

Situated in the relatively undiscovered region of Ierapetra in southern Crete, the Numo Ierapetra Beach Resort Crete, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, offers a blend of elegant sophistication and vibrant entertainment options. This resort features 132 spacious rooms and suites, allowing guests to enjoy active pursuits with two swimming pools, an outdoor gym, and a tennis court. Evenings at the resort are equally inviting, with a lively pool bar area hosting a variety of summer events such as DJ nights, a Nouvelle Vague pop-up bar, evenings dedicated to Cretan wine and food pairings, and interactive craft beer tastings.

Set right on the edge of a private sandy beach conveniently close to the bustling town of Agios Nikolaos, Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas is a complex that consists of five levels with buildings connected by winding passageways and tunnels. There are 230 guest rooms as well as 30 spacious suites and 40 extremely luxurious villas and those who have a taste for the finer things in life will want to make sure that they book one of the extremely large two-floor villas. In terms of facilities, the resort is sure to impress as guests will be able to make full use of the two tennis courts, a whole host of outdoor swimming pools, a large sauna and a fully loaded fitness centre.

Set along the serene shores of Marathi, close to the atmospheric harbour town of Chania, JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa presents 160 guest rooms, suites, and villas, many with private pools and all gazing across the Aegean. Spread over more than 100 acres, the property’s architecture by Athens-based studio Block722 draws on marble, warm-toned woods, and planted rooftops threaded with olive and carob trees, creating a dialogue between contemporary design and Crete’s natural and cultural heritage. Interiors carry a quiet elegance, shaped by organic forms, sculptural lighting, and a palette of sun-baked terracotta, olive, and sand.

Dining is a journey in itself, from ANOEE’s open-fire Cretan cooking to Õnalos’ fresh sea-to-table creations, rustic Italian at Cuccagna, convivial Mediterranean plates at Fayi, and the relaxed settings of Suncti and Eēxis, where a mixology partnership with Line Athens infuses cocktails with Cretan botanicals. Wellness takes centre stage at the ANOSEAS Spa, complemented by a yoga deck, fitness facilities, and four shimmering pools. Families discover imaginative spaces at the Phestos Den kids club, while curated cultural and sea-based excursions offer an authentic connection to the island’s stories and landscapes.

Set on the northern coast of Crete close to the island capital, Heraklion, the beach-front resort Pnoé Breathing Life has been designed as a calming yet contemporary resort in which to enjoy the best Cretan dining experiences alongside island adventures and exceptional well-being programmes. Pnoé (translates as the breath of life in Greek) comprises 60 suites, all with private pools, and modernist décor which has been inspired by the island’s natural beauty using subdued colour palettes and materials such as wood and stone with warm earthy tones flowing throughout the communal spaces. The dining experiences here showcase Cretan cuisine at its best and focus on high-quality local produce. Guests can enjoy a fine-dining experience or something more casual such as sushi, snacks and smoothies by the pool. And an absolute must is to take in the sunset with a cocktail or two on the rooftop bar. Part of the new Greek-owned MK Hotel Collection, well-being is central to the guest experience at Pnoé and guests will have access to a variety of recovery programmes to help them achieve their well-being goals; from improving fitness, nurturing inner health or simply slowing down to reset. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Zerobody and Breathwork therapy, alongside a state-of-the-art fitness facility and a Guest Relation Service are all available to ensure a personalised experience.

Built around a large and lovely saltwater swimming pool, this elegant hotel is set right next to the sea and boasts a fresh and breezy look and feel. The rooms and suites are spread across five buildings to provide plenty of privacy and bright white is the main colour that is used throughout the hotel complex. Each of the 263 rooms boasts plenty of luxurious touches from the huge beds and large picture windows to the range of first class amenities that guests are treated to. Couples will never need to venture far from the luxury and privacy of their room as Nespresso machines and around the clock room service are provided, while the Sea View bungalows offer VIPS the chance to stroll straight down to the sand without ever having to meet any of the other guests.