Elounda Mare Relais & Châteaux Hotel

I waffled between four and five stars, but ultimately, I really enjoyed my stay. The negatives were the rooms were a bit dated and need refreshing and the breakfast station is nice enough, but for some reason the eggs to order kept coming out overcooked - like very brown omelettes that I’m not sure why they would send out - so after a couple mornings you don’t want to order them anymore. The many pros are that it’s a beautiful, beautiful property with a small sandy beach and mini cliffs to lay out on as well. The staff were lovely. The place is clean. You can take golf carts/cars to their nearby sister properties for variation. Sumosan was outstanding, the Italian restaurant less so. Lunch on the property was good. The spa is a wonderful facility, but I thought it was odd there were kids there later in the day and I was glad I was about to leave when they started using the sauna, etc. Everyone enjoyed their treatment. I’d also recommend checking out Elounda proper - it’s an easy ride, plenty of cabs to get back readily, and has good tavernas and a little shopping. It’s about an hour from the Heraklion airport.

We loved our two week break at Elounda Mare. We were in a one bedroom suite in the main hotel building, overlooking the pool and the sea beyond. The suite was a little bit tired in places, but very comfortable and clean with good housekeeping. The balcony extended across both the living room and bedroom and was spacious with great views. It was worth an early start to watch the sunrise. As others have commented the grounds are lovely and very well tended. There are a lot of steps and slopes as the hotel is set into a hill which drops down to the sea. Some lovely places to sit on the shore with steps into the sea, as well as the sandy beach. It was a 25 minute walk into town which we did several times, lots of nice restaurants on the water front. We liked Ferryman the best. Taxis are plentiful if you don’t fancy the walk back. The hotel bar was usually quiet, but pleasant with a nice terrace area outside. The boat round to the sister hotel was a nice little trip and the Italian restaurant there was very good. We enjoyed all the meals we had the hotel, breakfast was vey good with a wide choice and fantastic views. This was the only place where the hotel felt busy as a lot of the accommodation is in private bungalows/villas with their own pools. So the main pool was always very quiet and it was always possible to find a good spot by the sea, even though the hotel was apparently fully booked for most of the time we were there. The mid-October weather was beautiful. We hired a car and explored most of the eastern end of the island, which I would recommend.

We came for the second time to Eloúnda Mare Hotel where we spent 9 days in a bungalow with a private pool and with bay view. The hotel is located in a quiet bay with a beautiful private beach. The hotel is very well maintained, the service everywhere efficient and very polite. Breakfast buffet offers a large variety of qualitative food and the restaurants are perfect. You have the Yacht Club close overlooking the beach and the Old Mill à la carte Restaurant for fine dining. Both are romantic places. Also the park of the hotel is green and beautiful. The outdoor pool is very large and beautifully shaped. You really have to come to this beautiful hotel in Crete!

We have just returned from the most fabulous week at Elounda Mare. It’s an absolutely stunning hotel. All of the staff went above and beyond. Nothing was too much. The food was excellent and we really appreciated the advice of the wonderful sommelier. Our room was perfect and the housekeeping was of an exceptionally high standard. We will definitely be returning.

Simply the best, beautifully landscaped gardens with stunning sea views. Courteous, friendly staff nothing is too much trouble. From the moment you arrive you feel relaxed as everything is done for you . Cannot fault anything, we will be back.

The most relaxing and peaceful hotel and location, with the best staff and service. We have been to the Elounda Mare 5 times, and it remains a sanctuary for a wonderful vacation by the sea, close to fabulous beaches and villages, and filled with the courtesy and friendliness of Crete.