Elounda Mare Relais & Chateaux Hotel

Elounda Mare lived up to its five stars in every way, from the comfort and facilities to the professionalism and kindness of the team. The thoughtful details, genuine smiles and calm care made it feel luxurious but personal. For our first trip to Crete, we wondered whether the hospitality would match what we’ve come to expect from some of the (secret) places we know in the Peloponnese. It did. We spent two weeks exploring Crete, with its charm, history and wild nature, and plenty of places that didn’t feel like they could be anywhere. Elounda Mare stood out, and we’ll definitely return. Special thanks to Jason. His advice was always spot on and much appreciated by two slightly over-curious travellers.

The people here made our honeymoon feel like being welcomed into a family, and they went out of their way to make it special. Elounda Mare is especially welcoming if you're getting married soon. Our villa was clean, cozy, and felt like home, with incredible views, food, and staff throughout. Six nights still felt too short, even after the long trip to get there. We’ll be back. We had a really fun cooking class and made mussaka, an authentic Greek dish and a skill we’ll treasure. The wine tasting afterward was a highlight too. The sommelier knew so much and made it a great afternoon. Every restaurant had dishes we wanted to try, so we happily went back to some for a second or third dinner.

The quiet beach in the morning was lovely. Nobody was there until 10:30 AM, so it felt private, and the water was crystal clear. There’s a dive shop too. I especially loved the Yacht club food. Other restaurant dishes ranged from okay to really good. The olives were divine, and the bottle of wine they gave us was delicious. We came at the end of October, five days before the hotel closed for the season, and were upgraded from a one bedroom suite to a two bedroom one. The private pool, balcony view, and room were fantastic. The air conditioning worked well, though we didn’t really need it then. Staff were extremely helpful. Breakfast was plentiful with lots of variety, good but not amazing. I was happy to make my own tea. I really enjoyed the stay. Timing matters, though: the end of October is wonderful if you can handle the cold.

The setting is the real draw, with fantastic views across Mirabello Bay, a small sandy beach, and a rocky point. There were plenty of loungers, the grounds were full of flowers and beautifully kept, and it was peaceful with lots of space. The sea is so clear that we could see fish with just goggles. Some of our party got upgraded to a modern villa, with bathrooms and an infinity pool that could hold its own anywhere. The others had a bungalow that felt a little dated and could make better use of the views, though they still had all the facilities and the same amazing setting. We only ate at the hotel for breakfast. It was good, but not the best breakfast of our holiday. We went to tavernas in Elounda and Agios Nickolas instead.