Every year, millions of tourist visit Crete for holiday. Crete is an amazing island and I would recommend anyone to go there. Believe me, if you’ve been there once, you would want to go back! But there’s an infinite amount of hotels to choose from, which makes it hard to make the right decision. If you’re like me, you want everything to be perfect during your holiday. Maybe you’ve been saving up all year for it so it would be a shame if the hotel of your choice was not quite up to standard. Or perhaps you’re looking for that perfect resort to spend your honeymoon? Look no further, Crete is the place to be. Let me list 8 of the most luxurious hotels in Crete for you. Some of these resorts rank among the most exclusive hotel properties in the world.
Amirandes Grecotel Exclusive Resort
Last year, I proclaimed Grecotel Amirandes was probably the best 5-star hotel in Crete. Today, I still think it’s one of the best on the island. The hotel has 3 private beaches, a large strip of grass with beach chairs, and a swimming pool located away from the hotel lobby. This means the lobby is always an oasis of tranquility. I particularly like the VIP 2-Bedroom suite, which has its own fitness room and private pool. The resort has multiple specialty restaurants for a fine dining ewperience. Read my separate blog post from my stay at Amirandes Grecotel Exclusive Resort here.
Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa
This relatively new hotel opened in 2017 offers a private beach and a lagoon-style swimming pool. Each of the 172 rooms have a balcony, patio, swim-up pool or private pool and the use of modern materials and light wood makes them look absolutely photogenic. Stella Island has a variety of restaurants spread across the resort. I believe this hotel is the ideal destinations for couples on holiday or even on honeymoon. Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa is labeled Adults Only but beware this means aged 15 and over. The centre of Chersonissos is roughly 4km away.
Nana Princess Hotel
The prestigious and luxurious Nana Princess Hotel was opened in 2018 and is the perfect place for an unforgettable experience. Located on the main road to Chersonissos, Nana Princess Hotel is easy to find. The main swimming pool is located in the garden close by the private beach. All 112 splendid suites and villas have their own swimming pool or terrace with jacuzzi. Moreover, they all have a superb view over the Cretan Sea. The sunken pathways between the rooms and villas are a clever way to ensure privacy. Nana Princess Hotel is a truly distinctive resort for the most demanding guests.
Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
Your holiday at Blue Palace starts with welcome gifts of ‘Blue Palace Signature Amenities,’ including Cretan liquor and bottled water. Blue Palace offers breathtaking views over Mirabello Bay and Spinalonga Island, a national monument. To visit this island, which is officially nominated for World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it is only a 5 minute boat ride away. The interior of the hotel is inspired by Cretan history. The guest accommodations at Blue Palace include 52 suites and four private villas, with 142 private pools. Apart from the main beach, ‘The Haven’ is reserved exclusively for guests staying in Island Luxury Suites or Private Villas. A fine selection of restaurants offer a wide variety of cuisines spread across the resort.
Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection
Domes of Elounda is one of the two only Marriott Autograph Collection hotels in Greece. This hotel also has a view of Spinalonga and the hotel design mimics the colors and contours of this national monument. Color is the key word in the interiors of the rooms as well, the marble bathrooms even have golden washbasins. There’s a choice of four restaurants on site. Domes of Elounda offers great value for money and is one of my top picks of the most luxurious hotels in Crete. Although most suites and villas have their own swimming pool or at least a hot tub, Domes of Elounda features another two saltwater pools and three freshwater pools.
The Elounda Peninsula, All-Suite Hotel
The Elounda Peninsula All-Suite Hotel is one of the most exclusive hotels on the island. Part of a hotel complex along with Elounda Mare and Porto Elounda, Elounda Peninsula features only 54 suites, which gives the hotel a boutique feel. The property is designed to resemble a modern version of a Greek seaside village. Both Tom Hanks and Charlize Theron have stayed here, although not together I presume. Apart from the Calypso restaurant where breakfast and diner is served, Elounda Peninsula is also home to the Asian restaurant Koh. Note that this hotel is family-friendly.
St. Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas
St Nicolas Bay is a unique private beach Resort Hotel in Eastern Crete on the way from Agios Nikolaos to Elounda. The hotel has a Mediterranean character and mixes traditional and modern architecture. The peaceful gardens make it clear there is a strong emphasis on privacy and seclusion. Cuisine is very refined and service is impeccable. I recommend booking any of the ‘Club’ suites. St. Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. This elegant luxury hotel is surrounded by lush gardens. Check out the picture below and start dreaming away!
Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas
Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Spa is set on a hillside overlooking its own private sandy cove offering direct access to the waters of the Aegean Sea. This chic hideaway might just have the best location of all the hotels and resorts on this list. Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Spa is the second most expensive resort ever built in Greece (the first being Costa Navarino where I previously stayed and wrote a separate blog post about). Service is exquisite: you know you’re in one of the best 5-star resorts when there is a pillow menu and air-conditioning fragrances. If you wish to arrive in style, there is a private helicopter pad available. Once you’re settled, you can rent a private yacht at the resort.
Looking for more travel inspiration or you simply can’t get enough of these lists? Take a look at 8 best luxury hotels in and around the Alps, and 5 of the most luxurious hotels along the Amalfi Coast.