Best Hotels in Crete
Crete is a big and famous Greek island with many places to stay in. It can be challenging to choose the perfect one for your holiday with so many options available. Luckily, here is a list of the top hotels in Crete to suit every budget.
Crete has a variety of accommodations available for visitors, ranging from high-end to mid-range luxury and budget hotels. The list showcases the best hotels in Crete across four categories, including some of the pricier ones, but it is not limited to them. Thus, you can easily find the perfect hotel that fits your budget.
Crete is the largest and one of the best Greek islands, with beautiful hikes and incredible ancient sites like Aptera and Malia. It promises year-round sunshine and is renowned for the super-healthy Cretan diet.
Travelers can laze on silk sand beaches, explore hidden coves, hike sun-dazzled trails, or visit world-class archaeological sights. Families can enjoy a winning summer holiday recipe with the beautiful beaches and breathtaking scenery that Crete offers.
Tourists usually head to Chania in the northwest of the island, attracted by the picturesque Venetian harbor and nearby Elafonisi beach with its pink sand.
However, the eastern half of the island, which is known for its secluded beaches that are surrounded by crystal clear waters and affordable local restaurants serving traditional cuisine, is gaining popularity. Additionally, new Greek island hotels are opening up in this region, offering visitors even more options.
If you plan to visit Greece, the following information will be very helpful!
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If you’re seeking a peaceful village by the sea where you can indulge in luxury and relaxation, this is an ideal place for you. All rooms come with a veranda that offers stunning views of the sea, perfect for savoring your morning coffee or a nightcap. With ample space and comfort, the rooms provide an ideal environment for unwinding and enjoying your vacation.
The resort prioritizes guests’ wellbeing and provides yoga classes and a spa for relaxation. Additionally, the hotel arranges various activities, such as trekking and aerobic sessions, for those interested.
The Acro Suites Resort is situated in the charming village of Agia Pelagia, which can be found 25 km away from the city of Heraklio. During your stay here, you’ll have the chance to bask in the sun, indulge in delectable fresh seafood meals, and experience the famed Cretan hospitality.
This serene village offers a picturesque setting where you can truly unwind and appreciate the beauty of Crete.
The Minos Beach Art Hotel is the premier luxury hotel in Crete. Guests can enjoy exclusive access to the sea, while all suites and villas are equipped with a private hydromassage. If you’re seeking more excitement, the hotel offers various watersports, such as canoeing and diving.
If you enjoy cooking, you can participate in the regularly organized cooking classes to learn how to make Cretan traditional dishes. The hotel is situated 800 meters away from Agios Nikolaos city center, which means you can have both a quiet and beautiful location at the hotel and also easy access to the city center for a leisurely walk.
Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas provides stylish, contemporary, and simple suites that offer stunning sea views. You can anticipate a comfortable atmosphere similar to your own home, but located on the beautiful island of Crete with various family-friendly activities available.
The hotel has various activities for people of all ages including watersports, tennis, and poolside relaxation. Children will enjoy the kids club. The location of the hotel is slightly outside the cities of Agios Nikolaos and Elounda, but still close enough to explore. Both areas are lively, with plenty of restaurants, cafes, and bars for an enjoyable evening out.
If you’re searching for a luxurious vacation, Nana Princess Suites Villas & Spa is a fabulous choice. Besides the fantastic private pools, you can also relax on the wonderful private beach all day. Moreover, this place offers excellent facilities that you’ll surely love. Besides the on-site shopping mall, you can also try out the tennis court and watch children’s entertainment programs and performances.
This is a great location to be in, in the Hersonissos region of Heraklio. Hersonissos is a highly sought-after destination in Crete, offering a variety of options for entertainment, including bustling nightlife.
If you’re looking for a fantastic hotel, Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa in the Agios Nikolaos region of Elounda is an excellent choice. Make sure to ask for breakfast in your room at least once to experience the breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea and Spinalonga Island just outside the hotel.
The village of Plaka is just 2km from the hotel, making it easy for you to visit Spinalonga Island by boat. If you’re looking for a fun night out, Elounda is known for its vibrant nightlife and offers plenty of options. Additionally, the hotel offers access to both a gym and a spa.
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The Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel offers luxurious amenities such as a beach, spa treatments, and a stunning swimming pool with amazing views. If you want to explore Crete, you can rent a car from the hotel and easily travel to different locations on the island.
The hotel is situated in Elounda, which is part of the Agios Nikolaos region. Elounda is well-known for being one of the most upscale areas of Crete, offering visitors the chance to experience luxurious amenities, beautiful beaches, and exciting nightlife.
The Blue Palace Elounda is a luxury hotel in Crete that offers exceptional views of the Cretan Sea and Spinalonga Island. You can indulge in relaxing activities like spas, hydromassages, and saunas or join cooking and wine-tasting classes to have some fun. Additionally, you can embark on a private boat to cruise around Elounda’s Bay while enjoying delicious cocktails. There are plenty of activities to choose from that allow you to explore the local culture.
Make sure to dine at the hotel’s restaurant for both lunch and dinner. You will enjoy unique and delicious flavors and dishes, including Cretan cuisine, Italian, Asian, and contemporary recipes.
Ikaros Beach Luxury Resort & Spa is a fantastic hotel packed with amenities. They offer fitness classes for adults and have designated areas for kids, featuring a fun kids club, playgrounds, and playrooms. In addition, you can unwind on their private sandy beach or take a dip in the crystal-clear Cretan sea located right in front of the hotel.
The hotel is situated in Agios Nikolaos, a famous region in Crete known as Malia. You can explore the local life by visiting several cafés, bars, and restaurants outside the hotel.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly hotel, the Elounda Mare Relais & Châteaux Hotel is a great choice. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and there’s a playroom for kids and a private heated pool for adults. Don’t miss breakfast on the hotel’s seafront veranda, and be sure to check out the two restaurants for delicious seafood and gourmet Cretan dishes. Located in the Elounda area of Agios Nikolaos, the hotel is surrounded by lots of cafes and restaurants to explore.
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Families looking for a great vacation option can consider Abaton Island Resort and Spa. The hotel has a variety of amenities that cater to both adults and children, including a playroom and playground. Kids will definitely enjoy their stay here.
The hotel rooms are large, and some include a kitchen for making snacks. You can also enjoy a hydromassage in your private bathtub. The hotel is situated in Hersonissos village, part of Agios Nikolaos, which is a popular, cosmopolitan seaside destination. The village features plenty of cafés and restaurants where you can try traditional coffee, Raki drinks, and dishes. It’s a great place to take a stroll, so be sure to explore the area.
Castello Boutique Resort & Spa is a reasonably priced luxury hotel that offers a range of amenities such as a fresh-water swimming pool and a spa center where you can relax with spa treatments, massages, or enjoy a sauna. The hotel’s restaurant serves gourmet traditional Cretan dishes, and if you don’t feel like Greek cuisine every night, you can order from among the many options on the menu.
The hotel is located in a quiet village near Agios Nikolaos city on a large island with plenty of enjoyable things to do in Crete.
Kiani Beach Resort offers luxurious amenities at an affordable price. The hotel boasts five pools, roomy accommodations, and is perfect for families with its playground, open theater, and shallow beach. Keep in mind that it is situated in a village a few kilometers from Chania city, so a car is recommended if you plan to do some regional sightseeing. Otherwise, enjoy a peaceful and rejuvenating vacation here.
The Aquila Atlantis Hotel is a pleasant place to stay, offering rooms with lovely city views and comfortable furnishings. A highlight of the hotel is its restaurant, which serves Mediterranean cuisine along with excellent wines. The hotel’s central location in Heraklio City makes it convenient to explore nearby attractions on foot, including the Archaeological Museum of Heraklio and popular shopping streets.
If you’re looking for a tranquil getaway with plenty of sunshine, Annabelle Beach Resort is a great option. While the hotel may not offer a lot of luxurious features, you can still unwind by one of its many pools and indulge in delicious lunch and dinner menus. Conveniently located in the bustling Hersonissos region of Heraklio city, you’ll find everything you need, from cafes and restaurants to bars and more, without having to drive to other areas every day.
If you plan to visit Greece, the following information will be very helpful!
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The Kyma Suites Beach Hotel is situated in the heart of Rethymno city, making it a city hotel. Its rooms have lovely balconies that offer a great view of the city. Additionally, if you’re tired of searching for a good place to eat out, you can have a decent meal at the hotel’s restaurant. Because of its prime location, the hotel provides easy access to the entire city, enabling you to visit the old town of Rethymno and go for a leisurely stroll to the Venetian Port. Moreover, if you’re interested, you can explore the lively Cretan nightlife.
If you’re looking for a comfortable, modern, and affordable place to stay while on holiday in Crete, consider Sensus Experience By Lavris. The hotel offers both standard and family rooms and is located in the peaceful village of Gouves, a few kilometers away from Heraklio city. Booking a room here is a great option if you’re looking for a relaxing getaway without breaking the bank.
The Nostos Beach Boutique Hotel is perfect for families with kids. They offer spacious rooms and a variety of activities for children, such as a pool with a shallow end and a playroom with games. The hotel is located in the village of Bali, which is a bit further away from Rethymno city. However, Bali is a popular destination because of its stunning sandy beach, which is also shallow and ideal for kids.
Atrium Ambiance Hotel is an affordable city hotel, albeit with small rooms. Their highlight is their traditional Cretan nights, featuring live music that lets you immerse in the Cretan culture. It’s strategically located in Rethymno, close to the city center and just 100 meters from the beach, making it easy to visit the city’s various attractions. It’s a great deal!
Pnoé is a beach resort designed for adults only, offering wellness services and a private-club atmosphere. The name comes from the Greek word for “breath.” It is located just ten minutes away from Heraklion Airport and features modern and edgy decor inspired by Minoan architecture. The resort has a central courtyard with an almond-shaped pool and 60 private pool suites that receive sunshine throughout the day due to the open-plan design. The suites at Pnoé have a lot of space and are decorated with earthy colors to match the rocky landscape. The design also takes into account the views from the windows. Pnoé is committed to using the best local ingredients from Crete and has partnered with well-known Chef Panagiotis Magganas. This ensures that the food is fresh and has minimal distance traveled. The service at Pnoé sets a high standard on Karteros beach.
This is a top choice hotel on a Greek island, perfect for families. You’ll find Palm Springs-inspired concrete bungalows and pavilions scattered on a hillside towards the sea. Some of these accommodations are specially designed for families and come with private pools. The outdoor area includes a black-tiled pool surrounded by thatched parasols for relaxation, and there’s also a fun kid’s club with yurts and teepees. You can explore the area by taking a boat trip or heading to the charming town of Chania.
If you plan to visit Greece, the following information will be very helpful!
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This hillside hotel near Rethymno has deliberately designed everything, including the rooms, restaurants, and pools, to face north towards the stunning blue views of the sea of Crete.
Every room has a private terrace with seating that provides a front-row view of the breathtaking scenery. Some rooms also offer a private pool, and guests can enjoy a Balinese-style floating breakfast spread in the mornings.
The breakfast buffet is great with a variety of classic options like freshly made eggs Benedict, traditional Cretan dishes like fennel pie and sweet Bougatsa, and also many vegan options. The buffet is served by the pool in a nice indoor/outdoor setting with live jazz music in the background. They also offer sparkling wine and strawberries as a celebration option.
The Curio collection from the Hilton property is located in Crete and caters to both adults and children. One side of the hotel features an adults-only pool and spa, as well as a romantic restaurant with limited seating and local wine pairings. On the other side, there is a brand new kids’ club and an exciting water playground with slides suitable for all ages, including a bar for parents.
People of all ages gather around the pool area, which is surrounded by palm trees. You can order citrus salads and cocktails right to your lounger. If you want to swim in the sea, you can go to the private beach at the nearby Royal Blue.
It’s easy to find family-friendly hotels in Crete, as Cretans love kids. However, this particular retreat stands out amongst the rest. Domes of Elounda located on a slope and has breathtaking views of the sea and Spinalonga island.
It feels more like a village than a resort and boasts excellent facilities such as a sandy beach shaded by olive trees, multiple large pools (including one exclusively for adults), high-end restaurants, a kids club, and a games room for teenagers. Additionally, the elegant spa offers a dedicated menu of treatments for children.
The rooms, suites, and villas are connected by paved alleys adorned with bougainvillea and jasmine. They range from comfortable to luxurious, with some featuring plunge pools or whirlpool baths. The Luxury Residences have self-catering facilities that are great for families, while the Ultra-Luxe Villas offer more privacy and have gyms, saunas, and both indoor and outdoor pools.
This retreat is located in southern Crete on a black-sand beach along the Mediterranean. It’s an adults-only village-like resort with beautiful rooms, some with a private pool and terrace. This area of the island is just as beautiful as the north but with fewer visitors.
The design and color palette promote serenity, but there may be some areas for improvement. The best feature of Numo is its swimming pool and beach club, which offers a breathtaking view of Crete’s rugged landscape.
You can relax on daybeds that are located beside both the pool and the beach and admire the mesmerizing blue hues of the Mediterranean. I spent a lot of time doing just that.
Among the three primary restaurants, Menoa is the most impressive one, which combines Peruvian and Asian cuisine in the Greek Islands. Tamarisk offers a buffet breakfast and dinner, while lunches have an à la carte option. They serve fresh Greek salads, perfectly seasoned octopus, and mezze platters that are ideal for a beach break.
The Coast by Tamarisk is Numo’s fine-dining restaurant and is highly recommended for a sunset supper. They serve delicious meaty scallops with garlic butter, rich lobster spaghetti, and a melt-in-your-mouth red velvet molten cake that you’ll still be thinking about.
If you’re looking for an authentic experience on the island of Crete, head inland to Kapsaliana. This stone-built village is surrounded by olive groves and citrus orchards, and is located just a few miles away from the well-known 16th-century Arkadi monastery. Although it may be tempting to visit Crete’s beautiful beaches, Kapsaliana offers a unique and charming alternative.
The resort’s architect-owner, Myron Toupogianis, has been purchasing houses in the village since the 1970s and transforming them into rooms and suites. The rooms and suites are connected by a maze of cobblestone paths and include original features like tall wooden ceilings, writing desks made from the large stone wheels of an olive press, and beds made from fragrant olive wood.
There are also many modern amenities, such as comfortable beds and spacious showers. Toupogianis has been very patient in his efforts, much like the ant in Aesop’s fable. Breakfasts and dinners with a traditional Cretan flair are served under fragrant citrus trees on a raised terrace in this charmingly renovated village.
I recommend these travel resources for Greece that I personally use:
🏨 Hotels: I have found that Expedia and Booking.com consistently have the best deals on hotels and resorts in Greece. If you prefer to stay at a vacation rental, check VRBO that is usually cheaper than AirBnB’s added fees!
✈️ Flights: To find the best flight deals to Greece, I always use Kayak. Remember to subscribe to their price alerts for the travel dates you want. Another great alternative for flight deals is Expedia.
🚗 Rental Cars: I always use and highly recommend Discover Cars because it allows me to compare several car rental companies and view ratings on various factors such as overall value, pick-up procedure, agent efficiency, car condition, and total time taken.
🚙 Airport Transportation: For the fastest and easiest way to travel, I suggest arranging a private transfer from the airport and beetween destinations with Welcome Pickups. Honestly, no better way to travel from the airport to your hotel or resort.
🤿 Tours & Activities: For tours and activities in Greece, I highly recommend using either Viator or GetYourGuide. These websites offer a full refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the start of the tour, and they also provide excellent customer service in case of any issues.
🚨 Travel Insurance: I always suggest purchasing travel insurance as a precaution before traveling, especially after a recent accident in a taxi in Greece. For short trips, I recommend Travel Insurance Master, whereas for digital nomads, Safety Wing is a better option.
📷 Best Camera for your trip: I always carry with me a GoPro, It’s light, compact, takes great video and pictures, and most importantly, it’s waterproof! You just can’t go wrong with one. If you are interested in higher quality video and photography, I always carry with me on my trips and highly recommend the Sony A7IV which I think is the best travel DSLR Camera out there.
☀️ Biodegradable Sunscreen: Remember to include a good sunscreen to protect yourself from the summer sun. I always use and suggest Sun Bum Sunscreen, which is vegan, reef-friendly, and cruelty-free.
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