The kind of resort that’ll make you forget you’re in a resort, Elounda Mare comes on like a more rustic take on telly’s outrageously glam White Lotus. A secluded spot – and the only swanky Relais & Chateau hotel on the whole of Crete – it offers a giddy kind of escapism, with private pools attached to every single bungalow-style suite. Strolling around the sizable property, you’ll feel like you’re in an untouched, ancient Greek village, with cobbled pathways dotted with olive trees and bright pink bougainvillaea. Naturally, it also smells great.
Beloved of Hollywood celebs such as Charlize Theron, all of Elounda Mare’s rooms and cottages gaze out onto the perfect blue of the Mediterranean and the rooms themselves are stylish without being overbearing; rugs make things feel homely and roomy bathrooms are stacked with a classy selection of local toiletries. When it comes to on-site dining, the seriously impressive brekkie out on the terrace could feed you for a week (don’t miss the build-your-own Greek salad station), while there are numerous options for lunch and dinner, including a bar down on the cute private beach. The kind of hotel I’d be perfectly happy living in for a whole year. Bliss.
Neighbourhood
Situated near the small fishing village of Elounda on the dramatic northern coast of Crete, Elounda Mare is an hour’s drive from Heraklion airport. But most guests don’t venture too far from the hotel (why would you?) which has bars, restaurants, a wine cellar for boozy tasting sessions, and its very own beach.
Nearby
- Yacht Club for a breezy, al fresco dinner. Don’t miss Fridays aka fish night, where the day’s freshest catch is on offer as well as a seafood-tastic buffet (I recommend the prawn saganaki).
- The Old Mill for quaint waterside dining under the shade of cocoa trees. Food is trad but creative Cretan cuisine, such as dolmades and stewed lamb.
- Beach the private beach is the perfect size. It’s never busy, but go down at 8am and you’ll have the whole bay to yourself.
Time Out tip
Seek out the on-site chapel and the hidden outdoor seat chipped into the rocky cliffside (complete with cushions, of course) – the perfect place to while away a few hours with a good book. Money’s no object? Charter a chopper and do a day trip to Santorini in 40 minutes.