Harmony of chic holidays in Crete with hotels Elounda Hotels & Resorts
The sunny Greek island of Crete welcomes visitors from all over the world. It is the largest Greek island, the fifth largest in the Mediterranean Sea and is washed by three seas: the Cretan Sea to the north, the Libyan Sea to the south and the Ionian Sea to the west. In ancient times, Crete was the centre of the Minoan civilisation, which flourished on the island from around 2600 to 1400 BC and is considered to be the oldest in Europe. Crete is also considered one of Europe’s most popular holiday resorts and offers a wide range of tourist attractions.
It is in this paradisiacal location, 66 kilometres from the capital Heraklion and 2 kilometres from the prestigious resort of Elounda, that the Elounda Hotels & Resorts line is located. It offers unforgettable views of the Mirabello Bay of the north-eastern coast of Crete, an area of exceptional natural beauty with panoramic views of the fabulous Sitia Mountains and the sea expanse of the Aegean Sea. The blue sea stretches as far as the eye can see.
From the first moments of arrival, a true holiday begins, enveloped in attention, first class service in a friendly atmosphere. You instantly feel like a member of the Elounda Hotels & Resorts family, comprising three hotels built by owner-architect Mr Spyros KOKOTOS: Elounda Mare Hôtel, which is a Relais & Châteaux; Porto Elounda GOLF & SPA RESORT; and Elounda Peninsula ALL SUITE HOTEL. Each is unique, interesting and different and they are recognised as the best luxury hotels in Greece and have won numerous international awards. And besides this, having recognised environmental issues from the very beginning, the company has been able to implement many actions, in particular using geothermal and solar energy. 100% of water consumption is from seawater desalination, waste water is also treated and a waste management and recycling programme is in place. Travelling between hotels is possible by free car or water shuttle.
Elounda Mare Hôtel eloundamare.com is the oldest hotel in the group. It was built on an area of 3-4 hectares in 1982 and six years later became Relais&Châteaux. Surrounding the main hotel complex are numerous private bungalows that hide in a maze of stone streets, greenery and flowers. It was the first hotel in Greece to offer bungalows with a private pool and private garden. A paradise oasis, away from the hustle and bustle, where you can enjoy sunbathing, silence and sea views. This timeless luxury hotel with exquisite décor quickly found a clientele. Building on its success, the hotel has hosted numerous personalities from the political, sporting and cultural world. Its personal and attentive service offers the perfect choice for discerning travellers looking for a relaxing stay in a tranquil and intimate setting.
The day begins with a delicious meal – breakfast on the terrace in the main building with magnificent sea views. The world stops in the harmony of nature and pleasure. There is a rich buffet and freshly prepared breakfast specialities: fruit, freshly squeezed juice, fragrant Greek pastries and local specialities, and for those who like complete relaxation, even a glass of sparkling Prosecco. There are several boutiques, a fitness centre, an art gallery and a white-washed chapel. The Yacht Club, with its charming setting and views of the private sandy beach, presents for lunch or dinner new Greek cuisine, awarded annually as one of the best restaurants in Greece. And the Old Mill restaurant offers gastronomic Cretan cuisine and receives Greece’s highest honour La Toque D’Or every year. A variety of carefully selected Greek wines complement the gastronomic experience in all restaurants. Wines from around the world are also available and will be expertly selected by the sommelier.
The second and newest Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel eloundapeninsula.com was built in 2002 with the aim of providing the most exclusive services in Greece, offering not only apartments and villas, but also an ongoing property project that includes residences of different sizes available to live in or buy: the Diamond Residences. Located on the beachfront with direct access to an exclusive private beach, mostly tri-level, they have an average internal area of 325 m2. The hotel invites guests through its architecture into the history of Crete, dipping into contemporary design in every room and residence, in collaboration with Wimberly Interiors Design.
Il Borro Tuscan Bistro, a concept by the Salvatore Ferragamo family, opened its doors in 2022. Following success in London, Dubai and Florence, this world-renowned Italian bistro located on the seafront offers more than just food, it’s an unforgettable experience. Reflecting the farm-to-table philosophy from Il Borro estate in Tuscany, utilising fresh and seasonal ingredients, highlighting the best of traditional Italian cuisine with a modern twist. The restaurant offers an impressive selection of wines, including the famous Il Borro wine from the Tuscan estate.
New to the hotel is the opening of the renowned Japanese restaurant Sumosan. Award-winning and gracing the world’s most vibrant cities, Sumosan offers its renowned cuisine on the stunning seafront of the Elounda Peninsula. Known for its elegant modernisation of Japanese cuisine, the restaurant presents a delicious selection of the freshest sushi and sashimi, a selection of wines and cocktails infused with Japanese notes and flavours.
Porto Elounda GOLF & SPA RESORT portoelounda.com is the third and largest hotel of the group, as it features a 9-hole golf course, conference centre, children’s club from 4 months to 12 years and the magnificent 2,200m2 Six Senses SPA Elounda. The multi-award winning spa is mesmerising with its beauty, chic pool and state-of-the-art technology, from beauty treatments, to specialised treatments and wellness.
The architect designed the multi-level hotel building, which has been integrated into the hillside and blends completely into the surroundings. A green golf course dominates the foreground, and before access to the huge private sandy beach, there is an arcade with the Playiada square, with shops and an Orthodox chapel, the vault of which is painted by the famous Greek artist Alekos Fassianos. There is also an outdoor beach pool, which has become the largest in Crete.
The Elies beach restaurant in the heart of the resort, under the shade of an olive grove next to the sea, serves the most typical Greek specialities. It hosts the famous theme night: ‘Cretan Night’, where you can enjoy the music and dances of Crete, savour traditional dishes served Cretan style before dancing and practising sirtaki under the Mediterranean sky and, in true Greek tradition, beating the plates with gusto.
On this sweet note, we can conclude the story of the unforgettable Elounda Hotels & Resorts. We could go on for a long time, as this place is a true universe of relaxation, beauty, harmony and perfection.
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Photo Credit @Elounda Hotels & Resorts
