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Luxury Hotels in Crete
Greece
Discover the Best
Crete is the Mediterranean at its most sophisticated: dramatic coastlines, private coves and luxury hotels that bring together Greek warmth and international polish. At the island's finest properties, you'll find beautifully designed suites with their own pools, discreet beach service and kitchens that treat Cretan ingredients with genuine respect. Choose between elegant resorts in Elounda and Agios Nikolaos, bohemian-chic addresses in Chania or peaceful, contemporary retreats along the south coast. The standard throughout is uncompromising: considered details, well-honed wellness programmes and staff who seem to know what you need before you've asked. Every stay here is a properly tailored experience.
Why Stay Here?
- Private coves and beaches with discreet, attentive service
- Suites and villas with private pools and generous terraces
- Ambitious spas with hammams, heated indoor pools and bespoke treatment programmes
- Serious dining with local produce, curated wine lists and handcrafted cocktails
- Concierge teams to arrange yacht charters, wine and olive oil tastings, walking excursions and cultural visits
- Children's clubs for families and adults-only areas or hotels for complete peace
- Thoughtful, nature-inspired design and strong sustainability credentials, including Green Key certification
- Smooth on-site logistics: private transfers, funiculars, buggies and well-planned resort layouts
Our Selection Criteria
Ratings and standards
We focus on verifiably high standards: five-star classification or an equivalent level of quality, consistently strong guest reviews — typically above 9.0 out of 10 — and a documented record of delivering on that over time. Comfort, finish and precision of service all carry considerable weight.
What sets each property apart
Hotels that offer something beyond the expected are given priority: suites and villas with private pools, distinctive fine-dining concepts, considered wine programmes, well-regarded spas, beach clubs and experiences that feel genuinely rooted in the local culture.
Location and surroundings
The setting should be either spectacularly close to the sea — with a private cove or beach — or full of character in an urban or historic context, with easy access to the life of Chania or Rethymno. Practical considerations matter too: straightforward transfers, parking and well-thought-out internal movement around the resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Elounda and Agios Nikolaos for private coves and villas; Chania for historic charm and elegant city-side living; Rethymno for long stretches of beach and a proper resort feel.
Many are, with children's clubs and family suites as standard. Some properties are entirely adults-only — it's worth checking the age policy before you book.
The north of the island in particular offers sandy beaches and sheltered bays; some hotels have small, immaculately kept private beaches or jetties of their own.
Six to nine months ahead for the high season, particularly for villas and adults-only categories.
Several luxury hotels have heated indoor pools; some private pools can be heated on request for an additional charge — worth confirming before you arrive.
Tipping is appreciated but not expected. At luxury hotels, ten per cent at a restaurant and a small amount for staff who go out of their way for you is a reasonable guide.
Most resorts operate seasonally, typically from spring through to autumn. Many close entirely over winter, or run on a reduced basis.
Chania's Venetian harbour and old town are not to be missed, Rethymno blends Venetian and Ottoman architecture beautifully, and Agios Nikolaos charms with its lagoon and waterfront. Elounda is known for its luxury hotels and the haunting history of Spinalonga, while Matala's cave dwellings give it a bohemian character unlike anywhere else on the island.
The Palace of Knossos, the Samaria Gorge and the island of Spinalonga are essential, and Heraklion's Archaeological Museum is world-class. Elafonissi's pink-tinged sand and the lagoons at Balos are among the finest beaches in Greece, while Vai Beach is home to Europe's only natural palm forest. The Imbros Gorge is a rewarding walk, and the Lassithi Plateau, with its windmills, offers lovely scenery inland.