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Top 14 Hotels and Resorts in Crete

A long, narrow island stretching for 160 miles, Crete is the largest of the Greek isles, with diverse landscapes that range from soaring mountains and rugged canyons to stunning beaches with calm, clear turquoise water. It’s rich in history too, with the Minoan civilization settling here as Europe’s first advanced people dating all the way back to 3500 BC, providing plenty of fascinating ruins and archaeological sites to explore. In between your exploits, enjoy plenty of warm hospitality and delicious Cretan fare, which is known for its high-quality ingredients like local herbs and greens, signature cheeses, and fresh-caught seafood.

Of course, you’ll need a base to enjoy it all and these hotels are some of the top picks from Kissamos and Chania to Old Rethymno, Heraklion, and Elounda.

Villa Patriko - Κaliviani, Kissamos Villa Patriko, Crete
Credit: Villa Patriko, Crete by villapatriko.com

Villa Patriko - Κaliviani, Kissamos

Nestled in the charming little village of Κaliviani just steps from traditional coffee shops and authentic tavernas, Villa Patriko offers a unique boutique hotel experience where you’ll enjoy an unforgettable stay in your own traditional old mansion. It was beautifully renovated, providing historic character and luxurious, modern amenities. Think details like wooden doors and ceilings, stone walls and arches, combined with a large pool with a breathtaking view of the mountains and out to the sea. Colorful gardens, wandering cats, butterflies, and the songs of the birds complete this storybook scene. Plus, you’ll be in one of the closest spots to famous Balos Beach and several other renowned stretches.

Elounda Bay Palace Hotel - Elounda Elounda Palace Hotel, Crete
Credit: Elounda Palace Hotel, Crete by eloundabay.gr

Elounda Bay Palace Hotel - Elounda

Located along Mirabello Bay, framed by a white sandy beach, and surrounded by 20 acres of gardens, the family-friendly Elounda Bay Palace Hotel provides a tranquil setting and opportunities to take relaxation up a notch with a fantastic spa that has an indoor pool and hammam, along with a menu of massage, beauty, and wellness treatments. The list of amenities is practically endless, with a gym that hosts Pilates, yoga, and other fitness classes, an outdoor pool, eight restaurants, and multiple bars. Plus, guests enjoy discounted green fees at Crete Golf Club. Accommodation is in rooms, suites, bungalows, and villas, some of which have their own outdoor pools.

Residenza Vranas Boutique Hotel - Chania  Vranas Residences Boutique Hotel Chania, Crete
Credit: Vranas Residences Boutique Hotel Chania, Crete by vranasresidenza.com

Residenza Vranas Boutique Hotel - Chania 

The elegant Residenza Vranas Boutique Hotel sits within a 16th-century building in the heart of Chania, providing warm hospitality, an ideal location, and a breathtaking panoramic view of the Old Venetian Harbour and lighthouse. It hosts just four suites, each one unique, with the Superior Sea View Suite featuring a balcony and heated plunge pool. Families may want to book the Two-Bedroom Sea View Suite that sleeps up to four and features views of the harbor. The Deluxe Sea View Suite has an interior balcony and the two-story Penthouse Suite sits on the upper floor, complete with a rooftop terrace and hot tub for relaxing with a harbor view.

Villa "Casa Atitamo" - Rethimno Pool at Villa Casa Atitamo
Credit: Pool at Villa Casa Atitamo by Booking.com

Villa "Casa Atitamo" - Rethimno

Enjoy your own private apartment by booking the stylish Villa “Casa Atitamo,” ideally located in the heart of Old Town Rethymno and its narrow medieval streets. Traditional tavernas and dozens of little shops selling unique artisan products, local items like cheeses, olive oil, hand-picked herbs, mountain tea, clothing, leather goods, and more will be right out your door. Just before dusk, be sure to head outside the Venetian walls to catch a stunning sunset that can even rival Santorini’s.

When you’re in the mood to relax, you’ll have your own gorgeous pool, illuminated after dark for an especially enchanting atmosphere. The villa was beautifully and painstakingly renovated while keeping the centuries-old stone walls preserved. All the essentials are included too, from strong Wi-Fi and A/C to a full kitchen and washing machine.

Alcanea Boutique Hotel - Chania Room with a balcony at Alcanea Boutique Hotel, Crete
Credit: Room with a balcony at Alcanea Boutique Hotel, Crete by ariahotels.gr

Alcanea Boutique Hotel - Chania

Perfectly situated near the Venetian harbor, Alcanea Boutique Hotel sits within a gorgeous restored Venetian mansion that’s managed to retain many of its original features. Rooms are impressive – book room No. 1 for a balcony overlooking all the action on the harbor. All come with standard amenities, like robes and slippers, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges stocked with bottled water. It has a lovely interior courtyard and serves a generous complimentary breakfast each morning, featuring local organic specialties. Light bites can be enjoyed in the evening too.

Scalani Hills Residences - Skalani Aria Hotels Scalani Hills Residences, Crete
Credit: Aria Hotels Scalani Hills Residences, Crete by ariahotels.gr

Scalani Hills Residences - Skalani

Located at Boutari Winery, near the village of Skalani and just a short drive from Heraklion, Scalani Hills Residences is made up of three suites, providing a wine-focused stay with views of vineyards and olive trees. The cottages are named after local grape varieties and feature modern amenities like Nespresso machines, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and comfy Coco-Mat beds made with natural, organic materials. A complimentary homemade breakfast is included, featuring organic Crete ingredients, and dinners can be arranged in advance. They’re paired with wines from the estate, of course.

Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa - Analipsi Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa, Crete
Credit: Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa, Crete by stellaisland.gr

Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa - Analipsi

Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa is set around a huge lagoon-style pool, one of Europe’s largest. It offers a peaceful atmosphere for adults only, with a spa that includes an indoor heated pool with glass sides for swimming with a sea view, a Jacuzzi, hammam, and treatments that include everything from hot stone massage to healing solutions. Enjoy multiple dining options, including Vergera which serves Cretan fare overlooking the kitchen garden. There are villas, bungalows, and rooms with a variety of features, with standards including minibars, flat-screen TVs, and pool views. For the best of the best, book the Island Villa which has a private pool.

Daios Cove Luxury Resort and Villas - Agios Nikolaos Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas, Crete
Credit: Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas, Crete by daioscovecrete.com

Daios Cove Luxury Resort and Villas - Agios Nikolaos

One of the best resorts in Greece, the Daios Cove Luxury Resort and Villas overlooks the sparkling waters of Vathi Bay and has its own private beach and dozens of water sports on offer. There’s a great kids’ club, so younger guests can have fun while the parents enjoy time at the spa. It includes a Finnish sauna, indoor pool, hydromassage therapies, and treatments inspired by Asian rituals. There are multiple pools on-site, with the highlight being a saltwater pool that blends into the sea, along with several outstanding restaurants. Every room, suite, and villa showcases an incredible view of the bay through walls of windows, too.

Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa - Elounda Cayo Exclusive Resort and Spa, Crete
Credit: Cayo Exclusive Resort and Spa, Crete by cayoresort.com

Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa - Elounda

Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa is located at the famous Elounda Bay, overlooking Spinalonga Island. It provides access to a white pebbly beach and hosts two main pools, four restaurants and two bars, along with a gym and yoga studio. Guests can also enjoy a luxurious spa with a heated indoor pool, steam room, sauna, and a variety of beauty and wellness treatments. The rooms, suites and villas provide bay and Spinalonga views, while the 24-hour concierge can arrange everything from a massage on your balcony to private dining.

Atlantica Kalliston Resort - Chania Atlantica Kalliston Resort, Crete
Credit: Atlantica Kalliston Resort, Crete by atlanticahotels.com

Atlantica Kalliston Resort - Chania

Enjoy a retreat in a prime spot along Glaros Beach and its golden sands while being close to Chania’s beautiful Venetian harbor with a stay at Atlantica Kalliston Resort, one of the most magnificent resorts in the Greek Islands. Popular with romance-seekers, it includes swim-up rooms and a spa with a suite dedicated to couples’ treatments. Guests can also relax in the sauna and keep up with their workout routine in the gym. There are multiple eateries too, providing everything from Italian and Greek to Asian and Wine Cellar Fine Dining.

Olive Green Hotel - Heraklion Olive Green Hotel, Crete
Credit: Olive Green Hotel, Crete by olivegreenhotel.com

Olive Green Hotel - Heraklion

A modern, eco-friendly hotel in Heraklion’s city center, the Olive Green Hotel is just steps from the popular archaeological museum, dining, and shopping, and it’s set on a serene tree-shaded square. While facilities are minimal, it has a restaurant and bar and offers room service and a breakfast buffet with hot and cold items that feature Cretan products. Rooms have chic touches, like wood floors, in-room iPads for controlling various features, pillow menus, robes and slippers.

Scala de Faro - Chania Scala de Faro, Crete
Credit: Scala de Faro, Crete by scaladefaro.com

Scala de Faro - Chania

Set within a 15th-century building that was originally constructed by the Venetians and later renovated by the Ottomans in the 1600s, the Scala de Faro hotel offers lots of luxuries at the Venetian harbor. A 5-star boutique hotel, it has just nine rooms spread over three floors, all of which include Jacuzzis and private balconies or terraces, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Tasty Cretan dishes can be enjoyed with local wine and the exceptional staff is happy to help with just about anything from ticket and tour assistance to dry cleaning.

Blue Palace Elounda, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa - Elounda Blue Palace Elounda, Crete
Credit: Blue Palace Elounda, Crete by marriott.com

Blue Palace Elounda, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa - Elounda

Spread across a 143-acre property, all of the suites, bungalows, and villas at the Blue Palace Elounda boast jaw-dropping views of the Aegean and Spinalonga Island, a fortress built in the mid-1500s and Europe’s last leper colony during the first half of the 20th-century. Most have their own private pool. The layout allows for a great sense of privacy, and you’ll enjoy features like wood or stone floors, balconies, TVs, and bathrooms with separate tubs and showers. They’re dotted across a slope that dips down to a private beach lined with olive trees. It hosts the popular Isola Beach Club and private beach, where one can enjoy lunch and drinks, complete with service on the sand.

Monastery Estate Venetian Harbor - Chania   A private swimming spot built among Venetian ruins at Monastery Estate Venetian Harbor, Crete
Credit: A private swimming spot built among Venetian ruins at Monastery Estate Venetian Harbor, Crete by Monastery Estate Venetian Harbor

Monastery Estate Venetian Harbor - Chania  

Providing an oasis of tranquility in a 16th-century building that was once the castle of a Venetian nobleman, the Monastery Estate Venetian Harbor is a boutique property with 11 suites, tucked into an alleyway in Old Town Chania. The on-site MON.ES restaurant serves Cretan cuisine that features local ingredients that can be enjoyed indoors or out. There’s also a spa with an original Turkish hammam and an indoor pool, along with a menu of massage and indulgent treatments. Seven of the suites come with private terraces, some of which have views of the Old Town skyline, the sea, and minarets. Amenities include minibars, Smart TVs, free Wi-Fi, beach towels, robes, and slippers. If you book one of the Deluxe or Penthouse suites, you’ll get your own hot tub too.

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