Crete, GreeceElounda
Elounda Mare Hotel, Relais & Chateaux
Cretan seaside village
Elounda Crete, Greece
Renovated
2007
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Design Luxe ResortOutside the door
The house
Elounda CollectionCretan seaside village
The resort operates as a self-contained island village, where stone-paved pathways connect quiet cottages to a seaside square and chapel.
What it’s good at
Notable
Whitewashed stone cottages with private seawater pools, linked by bougainvillea-lined pathways.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Elounda's working fishing harbor sits five minutes away, and the rugged hills of Mirabello Bay line the coast.
The rooms
Cottages open onto private walled gardens shaded by olive trees, with seawater plunge pools looking across the bay.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
The main pool sits on an expansive stone deck above the bay, surrounded by lush lawns and shaded loungers.
Gym and indoor pool
The fitness center includes a dedicated reformer Pilates studio, and an indoor heated pool is finished in Macauba marble.
At the table
Tables at Old Mill surround an ancient millstone in the gardens, and The Yacht Club serves seafood above the cove.
How it began
Architect Spyros Kokotos bought this barren shoreline after diving here in the 1960s, opening the family retreat in 1982.
Crete
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.