Elounda is located in eastern Crete, just north of Agios Nikolaos. Originally a picturesque fishing village it is now a great vacation destination for those wanting to escape to somewhere with crystal clear seas, stunning coastline, and shaded beaches. The island of Spinalonga (the settling for Victoria Hislops book, The Island) is definitely worth a visit.
Best Family Hotels in Elounda and Agios Nikolaos
We have hand-picked and selected the best family hotels in Elounda and Agios Nikolaos, in East Crete. We stayed for a vacation at the last hotel of this last. Agios Nikolaos is close to Elounda and quite different from any other town in Crete. Set on three hills it has a small-town feel but has a lot to offer. It has great cafés and restaurants, as well as fantastic shops and some stunning old churches.
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1. Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection
One of the incredible Domes Resorts, the Domes of Elounda is a 5-star hotel offering luxurious accommodation overlooking the island of Spinalonga. It has a spa and 4 excellent restaurants serving high-end cuisine. All the suites have access to the private sandy beach and have either a private pool or an open-air hot tub. The restaurants offer a wide range of dishes from Greek and Cretan to Italian and Asian. There are a wide variety of suites available including some larger ones which make it ideal for a family vacation. The village of Elounda is 1.6 miles away and Agios Nikolaos is just 7.5 miles from the resort.
2. Elounda Mare Relais & Châteaux Hotel
The Elounda Mare Relais and Chateaux Hotel is a 5-star luxury hotel with spectacular views over Mirabello Bay. The spacious rooms and suites are decorated in beautiful soft tones and traditionally Greek whitewash walls. The Bungalows, which are ideal for families, are surrounded by bougainvillea-filled courtyards and private swimming pools. The Hotel has a large outdoor pool as well as a private sandy blue flag beach with free sun-loungers and umbrellas to protect from the sun.
For the active family, there is a tennis court, water skiing, and scuba diving available. You can also try canoeing, wakeboarding, or windsurfing if you like. Breakfast is served at the onsite Deck restaurant overlooking the sea. Children’s entertainment is available at the sister property Porto Elounda for which a free shuttle is provided.
3. Elounda Bay Palace, a Member of the Leading Hotels of the World
The Elounda Bay Palace is a modern 5-star hotel overlooking Mirabello Bay, and just minutes from the beaches and fishing village of Elounda. The hotel provides a variety of guestrooms, from double rooms to luxury 2 bedroom family suites. Some rooms have terraces with direct access to the pool. Facilities at the Elounda Bay Palace include a fitness center, a tennis court, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, and free parking.
4. Elounda Gulf Villas
The family-run Elounda Gulf Villas are just a short stroll from the sea in Elounda and offer stylish villas with a private pool, making them one of the best places to stay in Elounda for families. Each villa has a Cretan Sea or garden view. Each suite features a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave, and a marble bathroom with hydromassage. They all have access to the communal swimming pool. Breakfast is served daily at the main pool and drinks are available at the stylish bar. The town of Agios Nikolaos is at a distance of approximately 6.2 miles.
5. Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel, Six Senses Spa
Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel is set on a peninsular overlooking the Bay of Elounda. It features elegantly decorated accommodation opening to a balcony or terrace with sea views. All suites and villas have a living room, air-conditioning, and a minibar. Most have a private heated pool.
An American-style a la carte breakfast can be enjoyed each morning and come evening the award-winning Calypso restaurant prepares gourmet dishes by the pool. The “Koh” Pan-Asian restaurant, located just above sea level at the very tip of the peninsula, serves Asian cuisine.
There is an outdoor swimming pool, paddling pool, and care center for children. A highlight for families will certainly be the 50-seat cinema featuring private screenings of films. There is also a private sandy beach with beach service, as well as water-sport facilities and tennis courts.
6. Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort, Six Senses Spa
Situated along the coast of Elounda, the 5-star Porto Elounda Golf and Spa Resort, Six Senses Spa offers accommodation that has spectacular views of Mirabello Bay. The rooms feature wooden floors and teak furniture, an LCD TV, and a furnished seating area.
Porto Elounda offers the first Six Senses Spa in Europe with holistic treatments. A 9-hole golf course is available to guests only and water sports are on offer including water skiing, sailing, and jet-skis. There is a playground for little ones. Breakfast and dinner are available at the sea-view Nafsika Restaurant. You can choose to have lunch at Aglio e Olio serving Italian cuisine, or the beachfront tavern Odysseus.
7. Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa
Cayo Exclusive Resort and Spa feature a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, room service, and free WiFi. All rooms have a balcony with a beautiful sea view. The rooms also have air-conditioning, a minibar, flat-screen TV, a terrace, and a coffee machine. A buffet, continental, or Italian breakfast is available daily at the property. The main restaurant offers Mediterranean and international cuisine, with vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free options available. The area is famous for cycling, and bike hire is available at this 5-star resort.
8. Minos Beach Art Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels – Agios Nikolaos
Located on the water’s edge, Minos Beach Art Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels, features an art gallery, a first-class health and beauty center, alongside complimentary breakfast. Just 900 yards from the center of the lovely Agios Nikolaos the hotel offers a variety of accommodations from suites to luxury villas. The Mino Beach Art Hotel has gardens and beautiful outdoor pools. As with many hotels in this area, you can enjoy water sports such as canoeing and diving. After a morning of exercise, you can enjoy delicious food at the waterfront restaurant or hop on a bus to Elounda Village or Agios Nikolaos.
9. Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas – Agios Nikolaos
Perched on a hillside overlooking its private bay, the Daios Cove Luxury Resort and Villa boast 165 private seawater pools and luxurious rooms. The Daios Cove rooms and villas offer spacious living areas, marble-lined bathrooms and free Wi-Fi, flat screen TV, and Coffee/tea maker. Breakfast is on offer at the Pangea, which overlooks the crystal waters of the Cove.
At night it turns into an international food bazaar with lots of international theme nights. The Greek Tavern is set at the water’s edge and offers local specialties and daily fresh catch. Families will enjoy the two tennis courts, 2 outdoor pools, water sports, and a kids club.
10. Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay – Agios Nikolaos
Enjoying a tranquil beachfront location in Agios Nikolaos the Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay hotel features private pools, a full-service spa, and an incredible 9 restaurants! Breakfast is available every morning at the property on sunny verandas. At the open-air restaurants Greek, Mediterranean, and Italian cuisine can be enjoyed. If you would like to be active on your vacation this property features a fitness center, tennis court, a volleyball court, and water sports.
11. Blue Palace Elounda, a Luxury Collection Resort, Crete
The Blue Palace Elounda, a Luxury Collection Resort is set on the Elounda coast and combines luxurious accommodation with award-winning cuisine. It has infinity pools, a water sports center, and 2 tennis courts. The Accommodation on offer includes elegant suites and bungalows, most of which have private pools. Each unit has a spacious living area, with satellite TV. Some of the rooms have private access to a section of the beach.
A Greek breakfast can start the day at the Blue Palace Elounda, and Cretan, Italian, Asian, and Greek contemporary cuisine are some of the other dining options available. A private boat can take you around the Gulf of Elounda while sipping cocktails, and families can enjoy an amazing barbeque lunch on an isolated beach after snorkeling in turquoise waters. The resort is 3.1 miles away from the village of Elounda and the fishing village of Plaka is just 550 yards from the resort.
12. The Blue Marine Resort and Spa Hotel – Agios Nikolaos
Blue Marine Resort and Spa Hotel is located just meters away from the sea. In addition to 2 outdoor pools, this beachfront resort features 4 restaurants and a spa. All rooms enjoy excellent views of the sea and the Bay of Mirabello. There are family rooms, a kids club, and a very nice playground. Water sports facilities, such as canoe and water-skiing, are available on the beach. The main restaurant enjoys a pool view and serves a wide variety of Greek and international dishes.
Read our review: Blue Marine Resort and Spa Hotel
More family hotels on the Greek Islands
If you are planning a vacation on the Greek islands with kids, and you are not exclusively looking at family hotels in Elounda and Agios Nikolaos, we can also recommend the following family-friendly hotels:
- The Best Family Hotels in Greece
- The Best Family Hotels in Crete
- The Best Family Hotels in Milos
- The Best Family Hotels in Mykonos
- The Best Family Hotels in Naxos
- The Best Family Hotels in Corfu
- The Best Family Hotels in Rhodes
- The Best Family Hotels in Zante
- The Best Family Hotels in Paros
- The Best Family Hotels in Kefalonia
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