In Crete, choosing a hotel means first and foremost choosing a coastline—and with it, a completely different kind of vacation. From the seaside resorts of the north to the old Venetian towns of the west, here’s where to stay, region by region.
Hersonissos and the North Coast: Beaches, Water Parks, and Knossos Within Easy Reach
Located 25 kilometers from Heraklion Airport, Hersonissos boasts long sandy beaches, taverns open late into the night, and water parks. It’s the liveliest stretch of coastline on the island, just a 15-minute drive from the Minoan palace at Knossos and the capital of Crete.
Creta Maris Resort, the 5-star hotel that captures the essence of the entire island (our favorite)
White alleyways, small squares lined with olive trees, stairways leading down to a sandy beach: the Creta Maris was built to resemble a Cretan village, not a hotel tower. Opened in 1975 and managed by the Cretan Metaxa Hospitality group, this 5-star all-inclusive resort has made sustainability its guiding principle, with annual reports published since 2013, locally sourced staff and products, and a Blue Flag-certified beach. The grounds of this hotel in Crete It features 17 swimming pools, a water park, seven restaurants, and nine bars, a wine cellar, a spa with a hammam, and one of Europe’s largest outdoor movie theaters, where you can catch a Hollywood classic come nightfall. While the kids go from five-a-side soccer to archery to water polo, you can head to the spa or enjoy dinner with your feet practically in the sand. For a first-time stay where you don’t want to choose between the beach, dining, and family time, this is our favorite spot on the north coast.
Creta Maris Resort
Dimokratias Street, Hersonissos, 70014, Crete, Greece
Official website
Elounda and Mirabello Bay: The Ultimate Destination for Luxury
Heading northeast. Around Elounda and Agios Nikolaos, across from the fortified islet of Spinalonga, lies the island’s highest concentration of 5-star hotels—from beachside boutique hotels to resorts perched on the cliffs.
Phaea Blue, a beach shop across from Spinalonga
Overlooking Spinalonga and Mirabello Bay, the former Blue Palace reopened in 2024 under the name Phaea Blue, with a more intimate layout: about forty bungalows and suites rather than a large resort, and with the stated goal of being the only beachfront boutique hotel on Crete. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the hotel embraces its Cretan identity right down to the plate, featuring an organic vegetable garden and a lunch where guests can pick their own vegetables alongside the chef. The rooms, redesigned by local designers, blend earthy tones, local crafts, and Klismos chairs designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings; below, an infinity pool and a private beach certified with the Blue Flag. A small fishing village just a five-minute walk away, Plaka remains the departure point for boats heading to the former leper colony of Spinalonga.
Phaea Blue
Elounda, Mirabello Bay, Crete, Greece
Daios Cove, a private cove nestled against a cliff
The path leads down to the sea via a series of terraces clinging to the rock, ending at a sandy cove accessible only to guests via stairs or small funiculars. In Vathi, seven kilometers from Agios Nikolaos, the Daios Cove blends into the landscape with clean lines and raw materials; right at the entrance, the glass-enclosed lobby frames the sea like a painting. Rooms, suites, and villas lead down to the water—many with their own private pools—and a large infinity pool seems to spill into the bay. The 2,500 m² spa, with its eight treatment rooms, takes over when the sun gets too intense. This is the perfect spot for those seeking the seclusion of a cove without sacrificing the comforts of a luxury resort.
Daios Cove
Vathi, Agios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece
Rethymno: The Venetian Fortress City
Located between Heraklion and Chania, Rethymno’s narrow streets wind at the foot of a Venetian fortress, just a stone’s throw from a long beach. The old town is best explored on foot, amid Ottoman-style facades and artisan shops.
Rimondi Boutique Hotel: Two Properties in the Old Town
The Palazzo Rimondi has retained its stone arches and wooden ceilings; the Rimondi Estate, its garden and swimming pool. Spread across these two residences in the historic center, built 20 years apart, the boutique-hotel in Greece, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, features 33 rooms where exposed stone meets contemporary furnishings. Guests enjoy a Greek breakfast by the round pool in the paved courtyard, before taking a five-minute walk to the old port, the lighthouse, and the museums. The restaurant’s Cretan cuisine draws on ingredients from the nearby market.
Rimondi Boutique Hotel
21 Xanthoudidou, Rethymno, 74100, Crete, Greece
Chania: The Old Venetian Port in the West
To the west, Chania boasts the island’s most photogenic Venetian port, with its colorful quays and Ottoman lighthouse, and the western beaches and the Samaria Gorge just a short trip away.
Casa Delfino, a 17th-century palazzo near the waterfront
A cobblestone courtyard, wrought-iron tables, and overhanging foliage: Casa Delfino is centered around this space. This 17th-century Venetian palace was once the home of the Delfino family and still belongs to their descendants, six generations later. Behind its austere façade, the old town hides 24 rooms and suites, each with its own unique décor, featuring exquisite fabrics and marble bathrooms. A flight of steps leads to the rooftop terrace, featuring a hot tub and views of the docks at sunset; in the basement, a spa with subdued lighting houses a marble hammam and a large jacuzzi. The harbor taverns are just a few steps away, nestled in the maze of narrow streets.
Casa Delfino Hotel & Spa
Old Town, Venetian Harbor, Chania, Crete, Greece
Which slope should I choose?
For a first vacation without a car, the area north of Heraklion offers beaches, great food, and kid-friendly activities all in one place, with all-inclusive hotels up for grabs. For the ultimate in seaside luxury and excursions to Spinalonga, head to Elounda and Mirabello Bay. Rethymno and Chania, on the other hand, are best explored on foot, among Venetian stone buildings and harbor terraces. The best time to visit is from May through June and from September through October, when the heat subsides; fly into Heraklion for the eastern part of the island, and into Chania for the western part.