Name: Elounda Mare Hotel, Relais & Chateaux
Address: Elounda Crete, Elounda, 72053, GR

Elounda Mare Hotel, Relais & Chateaux

Crete · Greece

44 reviews shown

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jun 2026

William

Best place ever !!!

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

29 May 2026

MARGARET

Our first visit to Elounda Mare was in May 1987, and returning again in May 2026 felt like reconnecting with an old friend. The hotel still retains its unique charm, elegance and warm hospitality that made us fall in love with it all those years ago.
Everything was spotlessly clean and beautifully maintained, with freshly painted surroundings giving the property a lovely refreshed feel. While some fixtures and fittings would now benefit from an upgrade, this in no way detracted from the wonderfully relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
We stayed in a One Bedroom Superior Suite with the most enchanting view across the stunning Mirabello Bay - waking up to that panorama every morning was truly magical.
The staff throughout the hotel were exceptional. Special thanks to the amazing concierge Ioanna, who went above and beyond to help with every request, and to the ever-helpful night receptionist Mikhalis for his kindness and professionalism. It was also a pleasure meeting the interesting new manager, whose enthusiasm for the hotel was very evident.
The food and beverage team were excellent throughout our stay. We thoroughly enjoyed the cocktail reception and the delightful Fish Night at the Yacht Club Restaurant. Our favourite dining experience, however, was at the Japanese restaurant Sumosan, which was absolutely outstanding.
After 39 years, Elounda Mare still offers timeless charm, genuine warmth and unforgettable views. We very much hope to return soon.

Family

8/10

Excellent

09 Oct 2025

ian

5th time been to this hotel and it will not be the last

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Sep 2025

paul

So relaxing

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Sep 2025

Nick

Very peaceful and quiet. Staff very friendly and attentive.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Aug 2025

Demetria

The personnel was wonderful

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jul 2025

Omar

Great stay

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jun 2025

Collin

A really peaceful place.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

19 May 2025

Spencer

Great hotel in a lovely location however it would have been nice to have been told of the construction site next door, difficult to relax by the beach when the noise of diggers can be heard in the back ground

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

09 May 2025

Mohab

Wonderful stay, relaxing, amazing amenities and views with friendly staff

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Aug 2024

Joanne

Loved my bungalow on the sea with private pool. The large hotel swimming pool was also very beautiful. Easy access to the sea via sturdy ladders. Charming secluded nooks with lounge chairs and tables at different levels. Fantastic breakfast buffet. Water shuttle to multiple restaurants on the property. Enjoyed the delicious sushi and more at the exceptional seafront Sumosan Japanese restaurant, where glass floor panels offered a look into the fish and sea below us. Lovely landscaping. Attentive and caring staff. Interesting shops. I did not use the Six Senses Spa, but for those who are spa people, I don’t doubt it is as remarkable as everything else there. Many guests return regularly, and I definitely want to stay again. Highly recommend this very special getaway.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Jun 2024

Verified traveler

Gorgeous Spot in Crete

Truly amazing location with wonderful facilities and staff. Gorgeous sea view. Wonderful pool.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Oct 2023

Mary Elspeth

Everything about this resort was spectacular.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

19 Jun 2023

Leanne

It was an amazing properties with every amenity needed

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

29 May 2023

Maurice

Superb!

Superb!

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 Oct 2022

Nicholas

Amazing !!!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 May 2022

John

Stunningly beautiful stay

This was a beautiful property and my wife and I loved staying there. Our only regret is that we couldn't stay longer.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

18 Oct 2021

Verified traveler

A good option within the Elounda area. Not as wonderful as many other R and C hotels though. The place feels like part of a much bigger complex because of the many resorts either side and not like a unique and special one off. Views and food very good. Our superior room was lovely but very noisy from guests and families from other rooms. Communication between staff not always working. We had an earthquake of 6.3 while there but no one checked to see if we were ok.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Oct 2021

James Madison

Gorgeous property with amazing lounging on seaside with food/drink service. Great on-site restaraunts. Able to walk to many sites. Beautiful seaside resort. Very relaxing!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

19 Sep 2021

Carianne

Absolutely gorgeous setting

Business_and_leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

30 Aug 2021

Jonathan

Cretan gem

The setting is stunning, the room was clean, elegant and very comfortable. The resort is peaceful and sublime. The food, especially in the Old Mill restaurant, was excellent. But most of all, the staff are lovely - could never do enough to help, learned our names immediately and were always so friendly. This hotel, Elounda and Crete have a place in my heart.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

19 Aug 2021

Jenny

Amazing beautiful hotel

This is the best hotel i have ever stayed at. The location is absolutely stunning and the facilities are excellent. The staff are so welcoming and friendly. We will definitely be back

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 Jul 2019

Verified traveler

This is a lovely hotel. We were in a Bungalow which was comfortable and clean with good quality amenities. The private beach is fantastic and the pool is really big (and very deep). Be aware that the pools are salt water and really salty. Breakfast was good; we went out to Elounda and Plaka to eat in the evenings which are both great. Thoroughly recommended place to stay.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jul 2019

Dimitris

Truly outstanding service from everyone in the hotel. Very quiet and despite being July in Crete never felt crowded. Would highly recommend to anyone who wants a peaceful vacation especially during high season. Adding to the service and quiet the location and views were outstanding.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jun 2019

Christopher

Idyllic escape

The whole family had an amazing time at the outstanding Elounda Mare. If you're looking for a get away from it all, relaxing break in beautiful surroundings then you couldn't do better IMHO. Our superior bungalow was beautifully maintained, with a breathtaking view across the bay from out terrace. The kids couldn't get enough of the private pool which was a Godsend on the warmer days. The restaurants across the three hotels that make up the resort were uniformly excellent and I can't speak highly enough of the staff, who were absolutely first class to a man and woman, friendly, smiling and polite. The town of Elounda was nice enough, but to be honest everything you need for a relaxing break can be found within the the three hotels that comprise the resort. We will definitely return!

Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Sep 2018

David

This is a five star beach resort. Ultra private with its casitas with plunge pools and fine beaches and dining. Resort offers ultimate first class accommodations.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Oct 2017

Katie

beautiful hotel with gorgeous views

Elounda Mare is a wonderful hotel in Crete. Staff was warm and welcoming and extremely helpful in planning our stay.

Partner

4/10

Poor

02 Sep 2017

Margaret

Over-hyped, outdated and expensive.

The hotel was apparently constructed to resemble a Cretan village. It's a sprawling complex of main building and out-buildings. It is very confusing to find one's way around as there are, deliberately, no signs. To make matters worse the site is on a hillside so there are many levels, slopes and steps constructed from uneven stone so this could be quite difficult to negotiate (the right footwear is essential).

The rooms were adequate though rather tired and the smaller ones do not have a separate shower stall. My friends and I ate there twice (apart from breakfast) - one lunch and one dinner. The worst food and the most expensive by far that we had on Crete. They were even stingy with bread and served half a slice from the proffered basket ( though gave more on request). There was a limited choice of wine by the glass from the bar.

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jun 2017

Karen

We had a wonderful short holiday.
The hotel has a lovely homely feeling about it. It felt very authentic. The staff were wonderful.

Family

8/10

Excellent

30 Apr 2017

Verified traveler

Easter on Crete.

We have stayed in Relais and Chateau properties several times. Elounda Mare is a lovely property, wonderful bungalows, terrific dining-but too full of very small children. We realize this was Easter, but the number of tiny babies, toddlers and young children was just too much. The serene setting of this hotel was not the place for them. You could not dine, sunbathe, walk or enjoy the comfort of your room without the constant sound of crying and screaming kids was not what we expected. Children ran on the rooftop in front of our bungalow, took scooters to breakfast, whine and cried during candlelight dinners and fussed during piano playing in the lounge at night.I spoke to reception about this, but not much was offered by way of consoling irritated guests. This is not the standard of Relais and Chateau we are used to. We love kids, but look to our holidays for peace and quiet, not a spectator of a children's play area.
If you subtract the children, it was a truly lovely place, a place we would love to come back to stay.

8/10

Excellent

19 May 2016

Guy

Elounda Mare, Crete

Great location, lovely hotel, my room a bit small, easy access to local attractions.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

11 Aug 2015

Verified traveler

Beautiful grounds, but improvements are needed

Our suite in the main building was in need of updating and the a/c did not properly work. The bathroom shower was uncomfortable small, but the bathtub was ridiculously large. So large that when you used the toilet your knees would hit the bathtub. Fortunately we were transferred to a bungalow that had working a/c and a better bathroom layout.

I found the service to be lacking 5-star quality. Also, I observed and experience a lack of communication between resort staff. One example, it took several attempts by various waiters to place an order at their resort restaurants. The beach staff did not frequent guests to offer additional drinks/food.

The best part of the resort was the beach and its access to the sea.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

09 Aug 2015

Mike

An Oasis

Elounda Mare is an absolute gem. Hidden in the Elounda hillside as if the hotel grew out of the landscape and with a sweeping view of a cerulean blue bay, this is a hotel to be reckoned with. The Chateau & Relais association is earned here as the level of service is truly 5 star. The concierge Margherita was extremely helpful with 'off campus' suggestions and the Hotel's Sommelier was charming and informative. This is a romantic, relaxing getaway. As noted in other reviews, the best food is to be found at The Old Mill on the hotel grounds. The buffet breakfast is amazing.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jul 2015

Alex

Great selection for a long weekend escape.

Overall, very positive. Nice amenities, great spa and good selection of restaurants across three sister hotels all located side by side to each other.

10/10

Exceptional

04 Oct 2011

Verified traveler

Beautiful physical presence and private waterfront

We had a very enjoyable week. The staff were most helpful and friendly, the hotel imaculate and very aesthetically pleasing. Our standard sea view room was large, comfortable with beautiful marble floor. the beds were comfortable, the aircon very efficent, the fridge was handy. The balcony was large and very comfortable and enjoyable to sit on to watch the sea and enjoy the view of the Gulf of Mirabello.The beach and swimming were all one could want. The only drawback for us was the high price of food although as we did not sample dinner we cannot comment on value for money. Lunch on one occasion was fairly ordinary. However local restaurants in Elounda were variable in quality so food was the only thing that let down the holiday for us.

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jun 2011

Elunda Mare - Pure Luxury

Beautiful resort with impecable service. Walk to the quaint town of Elounda. The Six Senses Spa was the best spa experience I have ever had. The only complaint was the food was good, but not great (especially for the price).

10/10

Exceptional

16 Jul 2026

Joachim Nicola Boulos

Excellent

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jul 2026

Guido

This is a top hotel. The porters are very friendly, do a valet service for the car. Beach and Room was perfect. The breakfast room has a Greek corner. The door to the kitchen must be repaired. Whevever somebody entered the kitchen, the door cried out that I shivered, was a bit disturbing. Otherwise, wonderful hotel - not very easy to find (due to missing street signs), but when you are there, you are in paradise.

10/10

Exceptional

04 Oct 2025

Georgios

Super rent rum, phenomenalt snälla och hjälpsamma människor, idealt att koppla av på bäst sätt.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 May 2025

ALEXANDRE

Un superbe établissement

Magnifique établissement extrêmement bien entretenu en bord de mer avec très belles installations et un personnel aux petits soins. La piscine est superbe, la plage privée et le spa le sont également. Cet établissement est un vrai havre de paix, idéal pour des vacances romantiques et reposantes. Notez chambre était très bien équipée et très spacieuse, avec une magnifique vue sur la mer. Nous y avons passé un excellent séjour.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 May 2025

Fabian

Exceptionnel

C'est un resort incroyable ! En terme d'

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

22 Jun 2018

BOGGY

bel endroit bonne situation

hotel agréable et de bonne qualite
accueil et personnel de grande compétence et d une grande gentillesse
reviendrons certainement

10/10

Exceptional

12 May 2016

Verified traveler

Très bel hotel pour un sejour à Elounda

Nous avons passé 6 jours merveilleux dans cet hôtel situé dans un cadre magnifique,le personnel est d'une gentillesse sans pareil et fait tout pour vous faire plaisir
Petit bémol pour la décoration des salons du bâtiment principal qui est un peu désuète
Nourriture excellente,propreté impeccable
Le point fort la vue sur la mer

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

09 Sep 2015

Dr. B

Un hôtel de grande classe

Malheureusement, mon expérience fut très brève car je partais le lendemain matin, déjà à l'aube.
Mais, il est évident dès l'accueil, que l'hôtel est de grande classe, magnifiquement situé en front de mer, impeccablement entretenu, avec un personnel parfaitement stylé à tous les postes.
J'ai pu profité d'un souper \"folklorique\", avec danses traditionnelles de l'île et buffet avec plats nationaux et locaux.