7 Of The Best Hotels To Book In Crete in 2024

If you want the quintessential Cretan experience, look no further than InterContinental Crete, an IHG Hotel. Overlooking the Aegean waters and rolling hills of Mirabello Bay, it marries sleek design with InterContinental’s globally renowned luxury. 

The jewel in its crown is the open-sided terrace leading to an infinity-edge pool, whose endless expanse of blue makes it hard to tell where the pool ends and the sea begins. Add to that Mediterranean-inspired cocktails and plunge pool suites and you’ve got a strong case for simply soaking up the vibes from your primo coastal position. If you do want to step out for an adventure, it’s just a short trip into Agios Nikolaos (where you can catch the ferry to Spinalonga, the former leper colony featured in The Island by Victoria Hislop), while history buffs can easily access eastern Crete’s myriad archaeological sites.

Opting for the fishing village feel doesn’t mean you need to miss out on that sigh-inducing serenity. The Royal Senses Resort & Spa Crete, Curio Collection by Hilton is just steps away from the sleepy north-coast village of Panormos, with no compromise on five-star luxury and world-class dining. Its seven restaurants and bars showcase the best of Cretan cuisine, from traditional yia-yia recipes to pop-ups by local creators.

Indulge in the fine dining and wine cellar of Cretamos by Pavlos Kiriakis (of the Michelin-starred Zillers in Athens), brave a local Raki tasting flight at ZENO Lobby Bar, or relax with herbal rituals at the Pure Senses Spa, which uses Cretan herbs, olive oil, honey and even Raki in its treatments. It’s just a short trip to Klados Winery – one of the island’s best – and the adventurous don’t have to travel far for a descent into history at Melidoni Cave.

Crete’s dreamy and dramatic northwest is a must see. Its must-stay resort? Domes Noruz Chania, Autograph Collection, where modern Greek design blends with Chania’s ancient heritage, resulting in a next-level lifestyle resort. Hit the cobbled streets for a dose of classic Cretan culture before returning for a cleansing treatment at the Elemis Soma Spa. From the neo-Greek seafood of Topos Restaurant to live jazz by moonlight, sound baths and DJ sets at sunset, Domes Noruz Chania is designed for those who like a taste of modern luxury with their ancient Greece.

If that’s not enough to win you over, this adults-only resort guarantees a level of peace that’s hard to come by in this popular family destination.

An award-winning Thalasso Centre offering 69 therapies, 29 pools and 500 palm trees: the holiday maths adds up at Mitsis Royal Mare Thalasso & Spa Resort. This sprawling seaside resort in idyllic Anissaras has enough picture-perfect pools and global dining options to serve a small town. 

Those who want options beyond Mediterranean cuisine will favour the international flavours, from pan-Asian to Italian and South American. Its wellness offering is unmissable, with a hammam and heated seawater pool. Positioned on Blue Flag award-winning Anissaras Beach, it brings Crete’s finest to your doorstep, leaving you with plenty of time to explore.

If you want to experience Crete’s nightlife, Malia is the place to be. Featured by Forbes, The Times and Condé Nast Traveller, Cretan Malia Park, a Member of Design Hotels invites you to rest up in tranquil seclusion during the day, ready to make the most of an evening in the town. This green and serene eco-resort is defined by boho styling and healthy fare from its organic kitchen garden. Sample Cretan dishes from the open fire at the pretty alfresco Mouries courtyard, or unwind amid banana trees and cacti at The Cute Spa and Yoga Pavilion.

Palatial ruins are just a stone’s throw away for those seeking a glimpse of ancient Minoan life, with the crystalline waters of the heated pool and lounging river awaiting your return.

Wide sandy beaches make the village of Adele a popular spot for sun-seekers in Greece. Named after the colour of the nearby sands, where caretta caretta (loggerhead) sea turtles nest, Caramel Grecotel Boutique Resort offers whitewashed indulgence on the shores of paradise. 

Sink into a poolside cabana or lily-pad lounger submerged in the hotel’s seawater pool, then stimulate your senses at the glass-walled gym and wellness centre overlooking the sea. Foodies can savour Aegean seafood or sample a bar-raising menu of farm-to-table Cretan cuisine at nearby Agreco Farm, amid vineyards and olive trees. Seaview suites feature handmade floor tiles and spacious balconies for a timeless Mediterranean vibe.

Wake to warm light and fall asleep to the sound of the sea at Minos Beach Art Hotel, whose pedigree as Crete’s first luxury resort dates back to the 1960s. It remains a local icon of art and culture to this day, with its 55-piece Sculpture Garden really sealing the deal. 

Days are spent wandering the 14th-century Toplou Monastery, tasting the Mediterranean at the nearby Cretan Olive Oil Farm, basking in the bright blue waters of the secluded Mirabello Bay, or catching the ferry from Agios Nikolaos to Spinalonga. Back at the hotel, farm-to-table Greek dishes feature locally sourced, seasonal ingredients like wild herbs, olive oil and cheeses. Unwind at the onsite spa or grab a snorkel to check out the Mediterranean marine life – however you spend your time, the refreshing style of Minos Beach ensures you’ll wake to warm light and fall asleep to the sound of the sea.