Crete

Crete - where to stay for a brilliant holiday

There's a huge choice of hotels and resorts in Crete, perhaps more than any other Greek Island, but I've listed below our customer favourites - they all have a charm about them, and all slightly different in their own way.

Sissi - a small, peaceful resort with a couple of beach choices and traditional tavernas overlooking the harbour

Elounda - upmarket resort with a blue flag beach and places to eat and drink by the harbour. Spinalonga Island, a former leper colony is close by, and the nearby pretty village of Plaka has another beautiful beach with a handful of tavernas.

Rethymnon - a charming harbour town with a Venetian Fortress, you can stay in the town itself or nearby along the coast where there's a long stretch of beach. Lively in the evenings with lots of bars and restaurants.

Koutouloufari - this is a village set on the hillside above Hersonissos with several excellent tavernas and cobbled streets leading to little shops and tavernas. Most of the accommodations have spectacular sea views, and some have a shuttle down to beach if you don't want to walk.

Aghios Nikolaos - a larger resort with a lovely harbour lined with shops, cafes and tavernas, plus there's a choice of beaches, water sports, and excursions such as to Lake Voulismeni, the 'bottomless lake'.

Recommended Hotels

These are in typical price order, with the cheapest accommodation showing first, but please contact us for full package rates.

Elounda Krini Hotel, Elounda (3*, BB HB) - small and friendly hotel in a great location close to the sea and just 15 minutes walk away from Elounda Village.

Vasia Ormos, Aghios Nikolaos (3* BB HB) - situated in a secluded bay and just a few steps from a small beach, this is a charming good value hotel, and a 25 minute walk into Aghios Nikolaos.

Angela Suites Boutique Hotel, Sissi (5*, BB HB) - boutique hotel with a relaxed atmosphere, great for couples and close to the beach and village of Sissi.

Rimondi Boutique, Rethymnon (4*, BB) - an authentic 15th Century Venetian manor house located in the historic Old Town of Rethymnon. You'll be just 100m from the waterfront and Venetian harbour, and there's a small beach a short stroll away.

Castello Boutique Resort & Spa, Sissi (5*, BB HB FB) - small, stylish adults only hotel in a perfect location close to the beach and centre of Sissi Village.

Esperides Resort Crete, Koutouloufari (5* BB HB FB AI) - stunning hotel set on the hillside in the pretty village of Koutouloufari, with superb sea views, a perfect location close to excellent tavernas and a shuttle to the beach.

Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay, Aghios Nikolaos (5* BB, HB, AI+) - a beachfront resort with a waterpark for kids

Domes Aulus Elounda, Elounda (5*, AI) - adults only hotel with superb views towards Spinalonga and some excellent room upgrades available with swim up pools.

Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas, Elounda (5* BB HB) - member of the 'Leading Hotel of the World', this hotel has a number of excellent restaurants, lush gardens, an infinity pool, and a top-notch spa.

Grecotel Creta Palace, Rethymnon (5*, BB HB AI) - stylish family friendly hotel set in landscaped gardens. There's a couple of waterslides for the kids plus a great range of bars and restaurants.

Domes of Elounda Autograph Collection, Elounda (5* HB, FB) - luxury family friendly hotel set on a hillside near Elounda, there are 5 bars and 5 restaurants, 3 pools, and for kids a creche, kids club, playground, kids pool and indoor play area.

St. Nicholas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas, Aghios Nikolaos (5* HB, HB+, FB) - beautifully designed hotel with several excellent restaurants and bars, and set on the beachfront.

Daios Cove, Aghios Nikolaos (5* HB, FB) -  one of the finest hotels in Crete, it's set in a  secluded cove with a private beach. There's a number of excellent restaurants and an infinity pool and spa.

Stella Island, Analipsi (5* HB, AI) - luxury adults only hotel with quality dining, evening entertainment and superb accommodation choices including swim up rooms.

Package Prices

Based on a week in mid June 2025, including flights from London Stansted, package prices range from around £750 per person up to around £2,600 plus per person. Please let us know your possible dates, and we'll advise the exact prices.

Book with us...

• Full Holiday packages - flights, transfers and accommodation
• Choose from any UK airport with flights going to Heraklion
• Choose between group and private transfers
• ATOL protection
• Full package protection