Elounda Mare Relais & Chateaux Hotel in Elounda

My sister and I traveled to Crete for an annual birthday trip. Neither of us had been to Greece before and Elounda Mare and Crete did not disappoint. I cannot say enough positive things about the resort. It is stunningly gorgeous! The bungalows are spaced to maximize privacy and are beautifully appointed with marble and traditional Greek furnishings and decor. We stayed in a 2 bedroom superior bungalow with a private pool (Bungalow 1/1A). The location was amazing! It was an easy walk to the main pool (which we only used once since we had our own pool), the bar, breakfast restaurant and lobby area. My bathroom was 200+ square feet. Everything was a gorgeous marble, floors and walls alike. The closets were so elaborate and beautifully appointed my sister took pictures of how they were laid out as she was getting ready to do a remodel of hers. Our rooms were cleaned multiple times daily, including an evening turn down service. Our pool was spotless and the water was pleasantly refreshing. The pictures of this resort and the rooms truly do not do it justice. The grounds are immaculate and the flora and fauna are so interesting and lovely. There are so many serene, private places to just sit and enjoy the views. We visited the beach bar and chairs and loved them but really found the chairs on the rocks on the edge of the ocean were our shangri-la! We ate at all of the resorts restaurants as well as several of the sister resorts, all easily accessible by the resort's shuttle boat and the food was scrumptious at every one of them. The atmosphere at each restaurant is completely different, as is the menu, so be sure to venture out and try them all! The staff went over the top to accommodate every request, leaving us special gifts and treats in our rooms. The champagne breakfast started every day out right! The breakfast buffet was the best I have every experienced anywhere in the world. The variety allowed us to not be bored in the 11 days we indulged in the offerings. We only ordered off the breakfast menu once because we loved the buffet assortment so much. We were lucky enough to have a reservation at The Old Mill while a Michelin starred chef was visiting and had the most amazing meal we've ever had the privilege to enjoy. It was truly over the top, both visually and gastronmically! The staff greeted us by name every time they saw us. I have no idea how they memorize so many guests' names so quickly. George, the bartender, affectionately called us "his girls" each time we walked through the lobby (and we're in our upper 50's Lol!) and had a glass of champagne ready for us by the time we made it down the lobby steps to the bar. We were given a large bag of fresh oregano from one of the staff that I am still cooking with and it is so much sweeter than anything I've ever grown in the U.S. The resort does have a lot of walking on multiple levels, which might not be easy for those with mobility issues, but our villa was accessible by a ramp (albeit cob

I don’t think I can fully express how much we loved our stay at Elounda Mare in Crete. From the moment we arrived, the staff went out of their way to ensure we had everything we needed. Their warmth and attentiveness made the experience truly exceptional.

The rooms are beautiful, and despite being part of a large resort complex, the hotel never felt crowded. We had no trouble finding a beach chair with an umbrella or a comfortable spot by the pool—Elounda Mare clearly prioritizes guest comfort over packing the place full.

During our stay, our teenagers took a golf lesson, and everyone enjoyed a massage. The pool, the beach, and the views are all stunning—it’s a place where you naturally slow down and enjoy every moment.

As we checked out, the staff asked us to return next year. That’s exactly the kind of place this is—welcoming, generous, and unforgettable. We truly loved it.

29 years ago we honeymooned here. Time passed and we finally found our way back. It has only become better one better. Our room had a private pool with stunning views. The food was outrageous. And the service, from welcome, to servers to cleaning staff were courteous, helpful and friendly. Truly an amazing experience at every step and at every moment. And the facilities and grounds are impeccable. If you stay here and don’t love it, that is a YOU problem.

I can not say enough good things about this hotel. The hospitality was amazing! The staff was exceptional. Joanna was lovely, fun and friendly… she gave us the best advice on what to do. Don’t skip the spa!!!!! Thank you Elounda Mare!

My wife and I stayed here as part of our 25 anniversary and we enjoyed every minute of our stay. It starts at check in, where the staff went above and beyond, they welcomed us with a glass of champagne and then we were escorted to our room by IoAnna, who is an absolute delight. She accommodated any requests with a genuine caring attitude. Hotel has several restaurant options if you don’t want to leave and explore the island. Highly recommend the Italian a Japanese restaurants. Private beach is peaceful, with a fun bar area. Thomas and crew will get you favorite cocktail and some finger foods. This was our final island on our trip so we were content to stay on the resort and not explore the island. If you want to see more of Crete, definitely rent a car bc the island is huge.

This is one of the very first 5-star hotels built in the area, and the clear foresight of its creator must be acknowledged. It is beautifully blended into nature, and its buildings are spread over a huge surface in such a way that – unlike other facilities – they are by no means disturbing. The location, while not offering the very best view of Mirabello Bay and Spinalonga Island – which lies further north – is still breathtaking and its most fascinating feature in my opinion is the secluded, elegant, cozy, reserved, and quiet atmosphere. Letting my gaze rest on the horizon of dramatic dawns or gentle sunsets, or following birds’ flights in the blue from the balcony of my room, has been highly regenerating for me. Interiors are luxurious without being showy. Everything I saw was kept immaculately, with gloss-varnished wooden surfaces and perfectly cleaned floors and furnishings. A small, spotless and serene church that allows moments of reflection The staff is highly professional, attentive, and empathetic, yet formal and respectful. Breakfast was gorgeous, with every kind of excellent food and, though I do not usually indulge in sweets, I could not refrain from noticing eleven different types of cakes (a few of which I guiltily, but more than satisfactorily, tried). The beach is quite small and the shade of the umbrellas may be insufficient at times, but there is an area under the olive trees that I particularly loved. A few spots on the cliffs are simply spectacular. The sea is crystal clear and very salty, so floating requires minimal effort and makes swimming even more relaxing. Though perfection is not human, and in any case subjective, there were minor features potentially upgradable that I may constructively report. Noise from a water scooter occasionally present (along with those from the neighboring Porto Elounda Hotel) and the lawnmower was sometimes a pain in the neck. At least silent lawnmowers might be an easily accessible option. Housekeepers should refrain from chatting while on duty, or anyway avoid speaking loudly. Rope railings and/or handrails may be advisable along a few pathways flanking the cliffs or the sea, which may even become slippery. The glass on the double swinging doors is very useful, but I am not sure it looks shatterproof. Finally, though guests were overall very polite, they appeared underdressed compared to past standards, and a few behaved frankly inappropriately, so that a behavioral and dress code might perhaps be gently reintroduced.

Absolutely beautiful, stunning views of the bay, amazing facilities, and so many great dining options here and at the sister resorts nearby. Quick buggy ride or boat between them. Our honeymoon here was the stuff of dreams; an upgrade to a lovely and luxurious bungalow, the most hospitable and welcoming staff, and so many activities on offer. The jet skis and paddle boarding was loads of fun, and the snorkeling off the beach is just as good as any excursions - lots of pretty fish, reefs, and crystal clear water. Highly recommend the spa, massages were excellent - get there early to make use of the massive and impressive pools, steam, sauna, cold plunge, etc. Special thanks to the manger Ioanna who was so lovely and made sure we never wanted for anything. 5-stars, we will be back.

We stayed as a family in August and the stay was the highlight of the holiday for all the family. From the furniture of the living rooms, to the gardens and small beach everything is perfect. We had 2 sea facing rooms the view is breathtaking both at sunrise and sunset. The staff is kind and go out of their way to be helpful and do so always with a smile on their face. We also took a boat trip to Spinalonga with Apostolos and it was amazing. A true 5 star experience unlike other places we stayed in Crete. Cannot recommend enough.