Elounda Mare Relais & Châteaux Hotel

the elounda mare exceeded our expectations! crete is absolutely beautiful & this resort is so special. the staff is extremely welcoming & they accommodate to you in whatever you need. the grounds are gorgeous & there are lots of things to do!

After nearly 2 1/2 weeks travelling mainland Greece and the west of Crete, we kept saying to each other that we could not wait to get back to Elounda, and the Elounda Mare hotel and staff. The pull was so strong that we rebooked flights and hotels to get us there 2 days earlier. Although we thought we were relaxed on our Honeymoon vacation, once we arrived, we were able to finally relax on a whole other level. The surroundings, weather, hotels rooms,, restaurants and facilities are of course all great, and we won't both to say much about them as you can read all of that in the others great reviews. What really makes this place different, is the unparalleled level of friendly and professional service from each and every member of staff. As a family business, there is a feeling after visiting numerous times, of coming back to meet and catch up with family. So much so, that we even plan in extra time just for the round of catch-ups ;) Our last day is always tinged with a little sadness at having to leave, but once we are home we know that we will immediately start planning our next trip. Maybe even on the plane home already ;)

Relais & Chateaux strikes again! What an incredible stay. We had a bungalow with a private heated pool and sea view. The water taxi service to the various restaurants onsite (there are several restaurants), The quiet, serene setting, the amazing sunrise and friendly staff are to be commended. There is taxi service available to town which made it perfect for enjoying the tranquil setting and still be able to get in to town for the amazing cuisine.

DO NOT STAY HERE! I booked this resort for our family trip to Greece because of its relais and chateaux status. This resort is not worthy of 5 stars and I would not consider it luxury by any means. My two main issues were the quality and cleanliness of the rooms and the lack of customer service. We booked a deluxe pool bungalow with private pool. Not only did the room we were given not resemble the online marketing but it was also extremely basic and what I would consider uninhabitable. It was very old, smelled of must and mold, had multiple cobwebs and spiders. The hotel's response was even more abhorrent than the room itself. The front desk attendant initially claimed that this was an upgraded room (which I think is preposterous based on the terrible quality for a so called 5 star resort with relais and chateaux status) but then offered us a nicer room tomorrow. The general manager told us the conditions were "part of Cretan charm" and to just "enjoy ourselves." I asked three times for a room change (once around 7pm immediately after checking in, 8 pm on our way out to dinner, and then 11 pm on the way back to dinner at which point I was told housekeeping had left for the night so it was impossible to change rooms despite my earlier attempts.) Additionally, during my two earlier attempts for a room, I was told they were fully booked despite their website showing multiple rooms available to book. I would like to mention, I was also five months pregnant during this stay and it caused me undue stress to stay a night in this room. The next night, we were moved to a 2 bedroom pool villa with private pool. This room did resemble the pictures online and was improved in the room quality. I did still take issue with the fact that the second bedroom had an ant infestation and that there were mosquitos in the room. When we brought this up to the hotel, they did spray for ants and they gave us a mosquito repellant machine. My mom did get 4 bug bites. Overall, this was a 1-2 star experience and I am upset that I spent so much money on a subpar stay. When I book a relais and chateaux, I expect my spend to be worth it. I also do not expect to be made to feel "extra" or "picky" by hotel staff for wanting a luxury experience at a luxury resort. Even when I am staying at a non-luxury hotel, I expect bare minimums to be met such as cleanliness and a lack of insects in the room.

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.

We have just returned from another stay at this wonderful hotel - our happy place. Everything about this hotel is of the highest quality but what makes it special and why you want to always return is the warmth and welcome of every single member of staff each of whom makes you genuinely feel special. From the irrepressible Ioanna at Guest Relations, to the stars of the Bar, Giorgios and Thomas. The lovely Michalis at the Beach, the always smiling Solou and the wonderful Reception team. We can't wait to return