Amy Adejokun
Section editor
This luxury palace will take you on a heavenly journey. Located in the Eastern part of Crete, near the small and picturesque fishing village of Elounda, it offers an exceptional view with Spinalonga Island as a centre piece. The services offered are backed up by solid infrastructures: numerous and varied restaurants, a plethora of private pools, a magnificent spa and a beach, which, despite the pebbles, does not lack character.
Blue Palace Resort and Spa - © Olivier_Lechat
Blue Palace Resort and Spa - © Olivier_Lechat
The hotel stands on the eastern part of the island, not far from the town of Agios Nikolaos and 40 mi from Heraklion. You'll have to travel another 6 mi to get to the ancient fishing village of Elounda, which is now a favoured destination for upmarket tourism. Although the surrounding area has a high density of luxury hotels, the village has remained charming and picturesque. Opposite the hotel, Spinalonga Island has a fascinating "sleeping turtle shell" shape. As elsewhere in Crete, there are numerous archaeological sites, churches and authentic villages that are a delight to visit.
New extensions were built in 2007, which raised the total number of guest rooms to 251. These are divided into 52 Suites, 4 Private villas, and the Guestrooms, 142 of which include a private pool. On average they cover an area of 40 m². Spacious and tastefully decorated, they follow the principle of simplicity and the use of noble materials. The facilities are impeccable: individual air conditioning, mini bar, large flat-screen TV, slippers and a bathrobe. The bathrooms are spacious and well-equipped, with welcome toiletries and a separate shower and bathtub. The toilets are further to the back of the bathroom. The rooms with a private swimming pool and a well laid-out terrace have a breathtaking view of Spinalonga. Rooms on the top floor have a very pleasant little terrace. The hotel also has 5 rooms equipped for guests with reduced mobility from which they can enjoy access to virtually all the infrastructures.
Clinging to the hill, it is hard to miss, and yet...! Built partly with the rocks that were quarried for its construction, the buildings are made of carved Cretan rock and blend in impeccably well with the bare and dry landscape of the hill. The hotel opened in 2003 in a natural nook and offers an impressive range of accommodation units: 251 rooms and 142 private pools! They all afford a superb panoramic view of Spinalonga Island. The entrance hall is particularly elegant and gives you a good idea of what to expect in terms of the interior design: a sense of refinement, large spaces and the use of noble materials such as wood and stone. Large bay windows open out onto the superb terrace that dominates the site. The glass funicular will take you from the reception to the beach, with a couple of stops at various restaurants and at the superb spa that offers 2000 m² of well-being and treatments. Once at the bottom, you can choose between the huge swimming pool and the crystal clear sea. Parents may be happen to know the hotel also has a children's club, which is free for children aged 3 to 12, in a small and secure tree-filled park. A heliport is also at hand.
The hotel has 5 restaurants open to its guests and each offers a different type of cuisine: Asian, Mediterranean, Greek, or Italian. Some are open for two meals, others only for dinner, but they all share something in common: The design of each establishment has been carefully and thoughtfully executed. Refined, elegant... The cuisine is also impressive. Not to be missed: the Greek tavern located by the sea. The staff is very attentive, the cuisine is traditional and delicious and the setting is breathtaking. The icing on the cake is that the prices are also very reasonable.
There is a funicular that serves as a shuttle between the hotel's various levels and that will take you down to the beach. There is no fine sand here, just pebbles. The "beach" is perfectly equipped though, with blue deck chairs and sunshades for hotel guests. The water is perfectly clear and the sea bottom free of rocks. There is an artificial jetty that serves as a mooring point for boats or from which you can dive into the water.
The spectacular panoramic view of Spinalonga Island in the Gulf of Mirabello is a gem you can admire from the hotel. Historically, the island started off as a Venetian fort before becoming a leper colony in the 20th century. Now it is an amazing tourist attraction.
hammam, sauna, massage, beauty salon, thalassotherapy, keep fit, wellness, spa
canoe, paddle boats, kayak, sailing, water skiing, mountain bike, tennis, sports, fitness, water-polo, gym
Gaelle P.
Vincent P.
Christian V.
jolie hotel agreable
Buson M.
bel hotel plein de charme
Val B.
Panorama exceptionnel, prestations de qualité satisfaisante. Site charmant, pittoresque, de caractère.
Infrastructures, activités : Piscines, saunas...
un peu excentré plage de galets
The Elounda Beach appears as a small Cretan village by the water, in the Mirabello Bay, in front of the Spinalonga island.
This is the only Relais & Châteaux in Greece. The Elounda Mare has earned the label: luxurious rooms, sophisticated decor, magnificent gardens... A great address.
The Aquila Elounda Village is built on a rock overlooking Mirabello Bay. It does not have a beach.
Porto Elounda Resort has been spoiled by nature. Its environment has been spared from concrete. Golf players will enjoy is nine-hole course.
This upscale, very comfortable hotel, is a member of Leading Hotels of the World. It is located in a quiet creek, facing Spinalonga peninsula, not far from the famous Aghios Nikolaos seaside village.
The Elounda Palm is a convivial, human-size, hotel located near the small Elounda seaside resort. The rooms are very simple, although spacious and pleasant. Their large patio offers a beautiful view of the entire seashore.
The very exclusive Elounda Peninsula stands above the bay and overlooks the sea and the surrounding hotels, offering a personalised service, privacy and peaceful surroundings, with 'luxury' and 'elegance' being the key words to describe the hotel and the service it provides. A clearly beautiful establishment, it is particularly ideal for couples and those who like fine dining, as the hotel also boasts the finest restaurant in Crete.
This luxury hotel is nicely tucked away on a hillside overlooking the sea, but getting to the beach is certainly no picnic. However, total privacy is guaranteed, both in the rooms, around their private swimming pools and in any of the uniquely designed luxury villas. As the communal areas are kept to a minimum, this is a good place to visit for a completely independent holiday.
The Elounda Beach appears as a small Cretan village by the water, in the Mirabello Bay, in front of the Spinalonga island.
The very exclusive Elounda Peninsula stands above the bay and overlooks the sea and the surrounding hotels, offering a personalised service, privacy and peaceful surroundings, with 'luxury' and 'elegance' being the key words to describe the hotel and the service it provides. A clearly beautiful establishment, it is particularly ideal for couples and those who like fine dining, as the hotel also boasts the finest restaurant in Crete.
This is the only Relais & Châteaux in Greece. The Elounda Mare has earned the label: luxurious rooms, sophisticated decor, magnificent gardens... A great address.
This luxury hotel is nicely tucked away on a hillside overlooking the sea, but getting to the beach is certainly no picnic. However, total privacy is guaranteed, both in the rooms, around their private swimming pools and in any of the uniquely designed luxury villas. As the communal areas are kept to a minimum, this is a good place to visit for a completely independent holiday.
This upscale, very comfortable hotel, is a member of Leading Hotels of the World. It is located in a quiet creek, facing Spinalonga peninsula, not far from the famous Aghios Nikolaos seaside village.
Porto Elounda Resort has been spoiled by nature. Its environment has been spared from concrete. Golf players will enjoy is nine-hole course.
The Aquila Elounda Village is built on a rock overlooking Mirabello Bay. It does not have a beach.
The Elounda Residence Hotel is the ideal place to relax with family, away from the bustle of the resorts on the north coast of the island. In addition, guests receive a warm welcome and the atmosphere is family-friendly. Although the hotel is far from the centre of Elounda and its beaches, the view is amazing.