Elegance and tradition – Elpida Village, Istro
Situated on the hillside, the holiday village of Elpida Village impresses with its views of the famous Mirabello Bay and surrounding olive groves. The sandstone buildings are reminiscent of traditional Cretan architecture and resemble an ancient amphitheatre, thanks to their cascading construction. The lush grounds are surrounded by well-kept green gardens.
In the central square, as in most towns on the island, you can relax in the shade of a large tree – in the morning with a coffee, in the afternoon with a glass of wine and in the evening with a traditional Greek dinner. A respite from the tourist hustle and bustle and the summer heat is also guaranteed by the stacked pools overlooking the azure sea.
Prefer to swim in that sea? The hotel offers a free shuttle service for guests to one of Crete’s most beautiful seaside spots: Vai beach. Gourmet restaurants with local delicacies made from organic ingredients await, as do cooking lessons demonstrating how to make traditional Greek dishes.
Feel the wind in your hair and the Cretan sun on your skin as you ride your hotel bicycle towards the coast. Not only beaches such as Pyros, Karavostasi, Paralia and Kamini await you, but also delightful surprises such as the Cave of Adam. Alternatively, you can rent a car on site and discoverthe eastern part of the island, such as Heraklion or Knossos.
Art déco luxury – Jo An Palace Hotel, Retimno
Holidays are a good excuse to indulge in a little luxury and the Jo An Palace Hotel in Rethymno is sure to satisfy comfort seekers. It is a modern establishment with art déco style interiors. If immersing yourself in beauty and interesting design makes you happy, you’re sure to fall in love with this place.
Spacious and bright rooms designed by leading interior designers await you. Just imagine lazy mornings with a view of the sea straight from your bed. Or falling asleep accompanied by the glow of the setting sun. This hotel was created with relaxation in mind, so there is also a sauna and a rooftop swimming pool at your disposal. It offers a magnificent panorama of the area and views of the coast, which you can enjoy from the comfort of your sun lounger. You can even book an in-room massage for the ultimate in relaxation and comfort.
The high guest ratings here are not just due to the standard of the hotel, but also its location in the heart of Rethymno. You are just a ten-minute walk from the Town Hall and the Rimondi Fountain, around which you will find many recommended tavernas and bars. Jo An Palace is also not far from the pleasant city beach, along with Venetian Harbour, where you can take a cruise.
Want to dine at the hotel? You’ll be spoilt for choice with the on-site restaurant, pool bar and café. In each of these places you can enjoy Greek specialities and fine Cretan wines and olive oil. There is also a public library where guidebooks and beautifully illustrated albums of Crete await you. Jo An Palace can also take care of airport transfers for you, whenever you arrive or depart.
Great location – Porto Alegre Hotel, Chania
Looking for a short transfer from the airport? Choose Porto Alegre Hotel in Kalamaki – a small settlement just outside Chania. This intimate establishment offers just 46 rooms, which translates into a quiet atmosphere – even during peak season.
If you plan to get around Crete by car, you can rent one on site and use the hotel’s car park free of charge. The sandstone-built building is just a five-minute walk from the Aegean shore , so guests are woken up and lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves. You are a short walk from the bus stop and less than five hundred metres from the centre of Kalamaki, with its tavernas, bars and shops.
Porto Alegre has two pools at your disposal: one infinity pool, that offers the sensation of the sky and water merging as you swim. The other is designed for children. Meanwhile, if you prefer to swim among the open waves, just head to the neighbouring village of Agia Marina, where beautiful beaches await.
Hotel guests not only have comfortable rooms with marble floors, panoramic windows and furnished balconies at their disposal, but also the Corinna Star restaurant serving European cuisine. Want to rent a car, arrange a guided tour of Crete or enquire about unusual local attractions? You can arrange all this on site.
A family retro-vacation – Trefon Hotel Apartments & Suites, Retimno
This property proves that it’s not just fresh new luxury hotels that can earn great guest reviews. Trefon Hotel Apartments & Suites is a place brimming with history and with class. Its mid-twentieth-century architecture and the somewhat austere, typically Greek décor of its rooms will delight more than just lovers of retro style.
It is located on a quiet promenade in Rethymno, away from the hustle and bustle of the main road. It is surrounded by palm trees and lush, centuries-old gardens that provide shade during hot weather. It is only fifty metres from the sandy beach of Platanes and this location makes Trefon Apartments & Suites an ideal choice for families and those who appreciate the amenities of holiday resorts but are looking for tranquillity.
All apartments offer a comfortable sleeping area along with a dining table and a kitchenette. If you’re planning a visit to Trefon outside the high season, you can take advantage of in-room heating and a heated indoor pool. Can’t imagine a holiday without your four-legged friend? Trefon is one of the few places on the island where checking in with your dog or cat is no problem.
Holidays are an opportunity to take a break from cooking. You can sample a range of delicious traditional Cretan fare at the breakfast area, including thyme honey, Greek yoghurts and cheeses, olive paste and sfakianopita stuffed with cheese. You will also find dozens of tavernas and bars in the area.
Convenience with a view – Notos Heights Hotel & Suites, Malia
Towering over the tranquil seaside town of Malia, the Notos Heights Hotel is a relatively new property. It is located just 25 kilometres from Heraklion Airport, a few hundred metres from the village centre and one kilometre from the beach.
Thanks to this location, guests can enjoy a peaceful holiday, but with easy access to the buzzy island nightlife and seaside attractions. All rooms in the hotel and bungalows feature a modern, Mediterranean-inspired design with private terraces or balconies from which to enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding hills. Which will you choose – a morning coffee overlooking the sea or sundowners with a sunset view in the evening?
The biggest highlight of this property, however, is its very large swimming pool, from which you can enjoy the surrounding countryside. Comfortable wooden sun loungers surround the pool, with a a well-stocked Pool Bar serving refreshing drinks and meals throughout the day. Want to enjoy your holiday to the fullest? Relax at the on-site hair salon or the spa, which offers massages, body treatments and facials.
You can get to beaches such as Malia or Potamos by car or scooter rented from the hotel and also by bicycle. If you’re planning a ferry trip or an airport transfer, the hotel reception staff can help you to order your shuttle. And there is plenty to explore in the area – we recommend checking out the Minoan palace at Malia, the surrounding olive groves and the Milatos caves.
