Crete

There are six distinct restaurants and bars: Buddha-bar beach, offering lunch, dinner, and drinks on the beachfront; WOW Steak House, which serves awarded steak dishes; Bony Fish, offering seafood and delicacies from the Aegean Sea; Elemes, a Cretan eatery open for breakfast and dinner; F-Zin Ivy League, which offers international and local cuisine for breakfast and dinner; and the Ladies & Gentlemen lobby bar, serving coffees, aperitifs, and cocktails throughout the day. Playing a crucial role in Crete’s renaissance as a luxury tourism destination, Abaton Island Resort & Spa is an elegant, family-run hotel that offers guests a wider lifestyle experience in an exclusive and private setting. The Cycladic-style hotel takes travelers on a journey through Cretan culture and history, combining the local traditions with distinctive contemporary touches.

This is a fabulous modern resort with well appointed rooms, great comfortable beds and clean lines. A great array of restaurants and bars. More suited to couples, there is no kids club although families are welcome. All room types are classified in three ways : either seafront, beachfront and whether you have a private pool or shared pool. The General Manager Mr. Georgios Daskalis who showed me around the entire resort is rightly very proud of what they have achieved with this new addition to Cretan hospitality. If you like a big modern resort with great restaurants and bars then this is a great choice and very competitive prices. And as part of our SELECT program you will be assured some nice VIP touches.

Michael Halsall , Owner Director . Based on overnight stay October 2021 and hotel inspection . Watch the full tour on our YouTube channel “Halsall Travel International”.

The resort’s exclusive location, along with its impressive architecture seamlessly blending in with the rugged surroundings creates a natural hub of beauty and serenity for you to explore. Daios Cove gives you uninterrupted views to the deep blue of the Aegean Sea and easy access to the isolated private beach. It’s the perfect place to fully unwind and collect oneself while the dedicated staff take care of you. Attention to detail and impeccable aesthetics play an integral part in the Daios Cove philosophy. This is reflected from the very beginning of your journey in the lobby area of the resort. Delight in hand-picked placed works of art along with contemporary furnishings. Amenities available to you here include the GOCO SPA and fitness centre, a sea water infinity pool, a water sports centre, a tennis court, electrical club car mobility around the resort and opportunities for recreation and excursions to Crete’s must-see hotspots, historical sites and archaeological treasures. Last but by no means least – the 6 restaurants and bars are at the ready to take you on a gastronomical trip to remember! It’s the perfect recipe to make your stay on Crete memorable. Inspired by the elements of water and earth, Daios Cove’s architecture is one that stands out and one they are particularly proud of. On the exterior, the resort’s architecture masterfully blends into the natural cove and the rugged Cretan landscape surrounding it. On the inside, carefully selected furnishings and works of art adorn the spaces, creating a sense of high aesthetics. From sophisticated lighting arrangements to fine linen and plush fabrics, all the way to refined colours, elegant decoration details, chic vibes, the Daios Cove beach resort lifts the 5-star luxury accommodation experience to new heights. The Cove has evolved into a place that curates experiences, while at the same time opening doors to unexplored worlds, sounds and tastes for those who are willing to dive into its beauty and discover what it abundantly has to offer.

This is a world class resort and has been lovingly created, ever since a German gentleman sailed into the cove and fell in love with the setting. General Manager Panos Almyrantis has steered the ship for 12 years and his passion offering Cretan hospitality is evident throughout the entire resort. I was extremely fortunate to be a guest of the hotel October 2021 and the Greek “philoxenia” warmth and kindness was apparent everywhere I went. The food served in their four restaurants is extensive, everything is fresh and where possible locally sourced. There is something for everyone at Daios Cove. With 300 rooms in total and plenty of choice of suites and villas there is something for every size of family and budget. By staying in any suite of villa guests become of member of the resorts Premium Club and receive a host of perks. Panos was telling me there were exciting plans to develop the spa concept for the beginning of the 2022 season so watch out for that.

Michael Halsall , Owner Director . Based on a 2 night stay October 2021 and hotel inspection . Watch the full tour and interview with the GM Panos Almyrantis on our YouTube channel “Halsall Travel International”.

The setting is one of virtually unspoilt, wild grandeur, as Blue Palace is so perfectly assimilated into its surroundings. Most of its 251 rooms, suites and villas with their private infinity pools form groups of low-rise buildings in local stone.

All sharing the same spectacular view, they are set among fragrant gardens of citrus, olive and palm trees, as well as Cretan herbs and flowers. Private verandas, gardens and pools are designed to enhance the lovely views and the feeling of freedom. The tranquil aesthetic in each individually-designed space is both calm and energizing, and the property’s long, spacious sweep of private, white pebble beach is sure to please.

The raw, Cretan beauty of the beach has been threaded with wooden walkways for bare feet to happily pad between the private lounging decks of the central beach, the cool gazebos of the exclusive Haven and the vibrant social focus of the nearby beach club. Showcasing exquisite cuisine in myriad magical settings, Blue Palace features five exclusive restaurants offering a variety of cuisine from traditional Greek Meze to Asian and Italian as well as Anthos restaurant introducing Greek cuisine with a modern twist.

In addition with two distinct bars and lounges, the resort offers a perfect setting to suit every mood and occasion. Exceptional Epicurean Experiences are available: sushi evenings at Arsenali Lounge Bar, a Greek cooking class focusing on the island’s authentic flavors and traditional recipes, afternoon tea time, and a cretan wine tasting at Anthos restaurant or Therino Open Air Cinema – a quintessential Greek tradition. The Elounda Spa offers an extensive list of luxurious signature treatments at 23 treatments rooms and two couple’s suites, each featuring soothing sounds and diffused, relaxing lights. Family Spa Packages allow parents and their little ones to spa together while couples spa pampering is available in the couples suite. New programs include Sunrise Yoga with breakfast in the garden area.

The prime location on the beach complemented by exceptional service, award-winning cuisine and diverse, innovative room types cements their status as leading hotels.

A selection of award-winning restaurants and bars allow you to indulge in the best signature Greek as well as fine Italian, Peruvian and Japanese gastronomy all in stunning spots. Guests can enjoy luscious fragrant gardens spanning 40 acres and two private sandy beaches with sun beds, umbrellas and beach butler service. 

For extra pampering, the penthouse Espace Vitalité Chenot spa offers vitality programmes, beauty treatments, fitness and wellness facilities to completely restore and rejuvenate body, mind and spirit.  

Honoured in 1987 as the first member in Greece of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux® association, the Elounda Mare Hotel exudes the refined qualities that characterise such distinctive properties. Exuding a sort of sophistication and exclusivity found nowhere else, the hotel has an unparalleled reputation for its attentive and personalised service. With its award-winning restaurants, comprehensive leisure facilities and exquisite design, it is the ideal choice for the discerning traveller who seeks a relaxing holiday in a serene and intimate setting. The charm and character of the hotel is evident to anyone taking an enchanting stroll through the lush seaside gardens and its rugged coastline with many private coves, plateaus and gorgeous sandy beach. Guests particularly enjoy the many lounges, enjoying their aperitif or just a cup of tea on the terrace, in perfectly elegant surroundings furnished in antiques.

The Villas and the Suites are a destination for those expecting a special holiday, as they provide the rare combination of the facilities and services of a deluxe hotel together with the warm, private and exclusive atmosphere of your home! Standing majestically on the hillside overlooking the gulf of Mirabello, 18 stylish Villas with their own private pool, 5 Pool Suites with their own private pool and private massage room, 10 Deluxe Suites and an outstanding Seafront Villa have been individually designed with the peacefulness and harmony of your home in mind. 2 chic a la carte Restaurants operate for your convenience: the exquisite decorated a la carte Argo Restaurant & the superb gourmet cuisine in the expansive veranda of our a la carte Daphni Restaurant overlooking the magnificent Gulf of Mirabello! The stylish Argonauts Bar, with its sensually lighting and atmospheric chill out music, looks at the main infinity pool and the cascading waterfall feature. For those who want to experience Crete’s clear crystal sea water, the Hotel offers a private Beach Club located just 10min drive from the Pool Villas and the Suites. Daily shuttle service to the private beach is provided complimentary by the Hotel. Elixir Spa Gallery is provided for those who like to work out. Creating a sanctuary for the body and mind, the Gallery offers complimentary to all: Fully equipped gym room, Sauna, Steam bath, Outdoor heated Jacuzzi, Massage room. Families with Kids will appreciate the presence of the Creche and Kids Club , where babies and kids can safely enjoy themselves and let their parents take a relaxing break. Elounda Gulf Villas offering sensual atmosphere, magnificent panoramic sea views, experienced staff, unparallel service, truly luxurious Villas and Suites and privacy could be the perfect place for the celebration of an important event of your life! At Elounda Gulf Villas, you enjoy a unique vantage point from which to explore the sights, sounds and experiences of Crete. We hope the highlights of local attractions below help simplify your planning. Please let us know how else we can assist you.

Swaying palms, Indian figs, and banana trees are part of an exotic garden that serves as a strong reference point… and a dynamic architectural element that animates the property. The hotel’s modernist structures were constructed in the late 1980s by Antonis Stylianides, who once worked with Bauhaus legend Walter Gropius. Cretan Malia Park was fully renovated in 2018 by Vana Pernari, who used assorted colors, materials, and styles from multiple design eras, while still maintaining a strong Cretan identity.

The hotel uses traditional materials, textures, and colors of Crete, as well as curious indigenous objects to curate a warm atmosphere. Walnut, chestnut, and bamboo combine with rattan, ceramic, stone, and brass to create a palette of wood tones, mustard yellow, copper-red, blue, green, and orange that imparts a relaxed, boho mood in the bright, airy rooms. Murals artistically bring the nature of Crete inside the living spaces and serve as main focal points for the interior design.

With the Explorer’s Kids Club, nestled amongst the lush gardens the little ones will love the children’s kitchen for baking activities, the play area, an environmental awareness space, and a performance area for dance and theater. Outside, one finds a playground and a small organic garden for kids, who can participate in the hotel’s green program. A separate hut doubles as a quiet space for teenagers who want to read and relax.

The hotel’s three restaurants—under lauded chef Athinagoras Kostakos—use ingredients handpicked from its garden and from local farms to serve a sustainable selection of Cretan, Italian, and Mediterranean specialties. An abundance of Cretan wines allows guests to experience the island’s recently revived wine industry.