Combining refined design with Cretan warmth, Ikos Kissamos offers an effortlessly elegant beachside escape where everything is taken care of, from sunrise swims to sundown drinks and immersive island adventures.

Proof that traditional luxury beach resorts will never go out of fashion, St Nicolas Bay is ideally situated on the peaceful eastern side of the island, between Agios Nikolaos and Elounda, and boasts breathtaking views of Mirabello Bay.

Offering mesmerising views across Mirabello Bay to the island of Spinalonga, Phaea Blue has been welcoming guests to the north-east coast of Crete for over two decades. Now totally revitalised, the property has relaunched as a boutique hotel with just 46 rooms and suites and an exceptional Phaea Blue Villa, designed to offer guests a truly personal and intimate experience.

Private pools in every suite, near-faultless service, two truly exceptional restaurants and a futuristic spa make this slick and contemporary hotel on the north coast of Crete a hard one to beat.

This contemporary design hotel offers sweeping views across Elounda’s Mirabello Bay to the island of Spinalonga. Among the rooms and suites, all have private pools with sunbeds and outdoor showers, and because the whole resort is staggered up a hillside, every room boasts exceptional sea views.

One of Crete’s most exclusive addresses, Daios Cove is a sprawling, modernist complex carved into the hillside above a ravishingly pretty bay near the upbeat town of Agios Nikolaos. Yet despite the designer trappings and its sleek good looks, Daios Cove is famously family friendly.

With just 15 suites and 18 pool villas, Elounda Gulf Villas has all the privacy and charm you’d hope for from a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. No wonder it’s a magnet for camera-shy celebrities looking to escape the crowds around elegant Elounda.

Set just outside Chania in Crete’s honeyed north-west, this adults-only hotel provides a front-row seat to the sparkling Aegean, two pools, a capacious spa and wellness centre, an appetising handful of bars and restaurants, and a slew of giant beanbags for lounging in the sunshine.

With stunning views across to the abandoned island of Spinalonga, Domes of Elounda sets a high benchmark on the Cretan hotel scene. Standout features include a blue-flag sandy beach, an open-air agora that blends pop-up shopping with street food and socialising, four stellar restaurants, and ample facilities for both adults and children.

Overlooking the turquoise waters of Mirabello Bay on the beautiful island of Crete, the Elounda Mare Hotel is known for its authentic charm, warm welcome and luxurious suites and villas. Add to this the fine food, activities for all ages and a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere and you’ve a perfect choice for both couples and families.

Considered one of Crete’s finest properties, Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas was the first hotel on the island’s north-east coast and has reigned supreme ever since. Spread across 40 acres of oasis-like gardens are a wide variety of accommodation options, from gracious rooms and elegant suites to magnificent villas with private heated pools and priceless views across Mirabello Bay.

Scenic, stylish and serene, this sophisticated seaside resort occupies a beautiful spot along Crete’s north-east coast. Set in Mirabello Bay with two private sandy beaches, the property’s location is ideal for watersports enthusiasts, while several swimming pools and the alfresco lunch restaurant, Ariadne Tavern, encourage long lazy days and a chance to unwind.

Bask in the Cretan sun at this stylish, stripped-back resort on the north-west coast of the island. A homage to natural elements and bold design, the hotel emits a distinctly earthy feel while offering all you and your family need for some sophisticate pampering.