Our Choices For The 8 Best Hotels in Crete

As the largest of the Greek islands, Crete offers visitors a wide range of excellent options for lodging, with high-quality hotels in multiple cities and towns around the island.

If you’re looking for indulgent accommodations and beachfront views, consider staying in Chania, Elounda or Agios Nikolaos. If you want a more rustic, budget-friendly experience, take a look at lodging in Rethymnon or Heraklion. Below, we’ll explore the top hotels in these areas to help you find your favorite.

Below are our top eight choices for the best hotels in Crete.

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The 8 Best Hotels in Crete

Casa Delfino Hotel and Spa (Chania)

This handsome Venetian mansion was purchased by Italian merchant Giovanni Delfino in the mid-19^th century, remaining in the family for five generations until one of Giovanni’s descendants decided to restore the massive home to its former glory and turn it into a luxury hotel.

Since 1989, the Casa Delfino Hotel and Spa has sought to give guests the feeling of staying in a private home in the heart of Chania. The property is located just a few blocks from the harbor and a short walk from nearby Nea Chora beach.

Each room is uniquely laid out and decorated, but all feature modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, marble-accented bathrooms, minibar and free Wi-Fi. Room sizes range from standard double rooms to two-bedroom suites and even penthouse and presidential suites.

The property doesn’t have a swimming pool or restaurant, but it does offer a complimentary daily breakfast buffet in the quaint courtyard, and guests can relax in the hot tub on the rooftop deck. The onsite spa features various massage services, body treatments and facials as well as a steam room at one of the best hotels in Crete.

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Kiani Beach Resort (Chania)

This all-inclusive beach resort in Chania is ideal for families, with a long list of amenities geared to both children and their parents. While Mom and Dad relax by the pool, play tennis or indulge in a massage at the Wellness Center and Spa, kids can play on the pirate-themed playground, swim in the children’s pool or make new friends in the kids club.

Activities for the whole family include water sports and nightly entertainment featuring live music, magic shows, karaoke, Greek dance lessons and more. The on-site Symposium Restaurant features a Mediterranean buffet at breakfast, lunch and dinner, while the Beach Bar Dionysos serves cocktails, coffee and light snacks all day.

The resort’s rooms and suites also cater to families, with fully equipped kitchenettes, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and terraces with sea or garden views. Cribs, high chairs, strollers and baby monitors are also available upon request. It’s obvious why this hotel made our list of the best hotels in Crete.

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St. Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas (Agios Nikolaos)

This stunning property offers a private beachfront setting while conveniently located just a mile from the Agios Nikolaos town center. The resort features a nicely-equipped fitness center, posh spa with heated indoor pool and Turkish baths, multiple outdoor pools, a movie theater and water sports center where guests can try windsurfing, canoeing and jet-skiing.

Onsite restaurants include Labyrinthos (international cuisine), the Minotaure (high-end Asian cuisine and sushi) and the Greek Kafenion (authentic Cretan and Greek dishes) as well as a breakfast buffet and several bars and lounges.

The rooms and suites are just as impressive, from the classic garden-view double room on up to the Poseidon House villa with its private pool and seafront views. All rooms include marble-tiled bathrooms, a private balcony or terrace, free Wi-Fi, minibar, Nespresso gourmet coffee machine and twice-daily maid service. This property easily made our list of the best hotels in Crete.

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Minos Beach Hotel (Agios Nikolaos)

Surrounded by the peaceful blue waters of Mirabello Bay and lush green landscaping, Minos Beach Hotel is a tranquil oasis for travelers seeking luxury amenities in a quiet setting. Its spacious rooms, suites and bungalows include furnished balconies, minibars, sea views and Wi-Fi, and some of the pricier accommodations also come with private pools, hot tubs and fully equipped kitchen facilities.

The property also features some of the finest food in Crete, with the Bacchus, Terpsis Cretan and La Bouillabaisse Mediterranean restaurants all on site. Three hotel bars offer a plush location to relax with a cocktail and watch the sunset.

Guests can also peruse the hotel’s impressive art gallery and treat themselves to a day of pampering at the Ananea Wellness by Aegeo Spa, adding to the luster of one of the best hotels in Crete.

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Veneto Boutique Hotel (Rethymnon)

This four-star boutique hotel is set in a restored 14^th-century Benedictine monastery in the heart of Old Town Rethymnon.

Combining a medieval aesthetic with modern amenities, each of the 12 luxury suites has its own distinct character, with architectural features like high ceilings, dark wood beams, dramatic stone arches, terracotta flooring and private verandas. If you’re on the lookout for one of the fanciest and best hotels in Crete, look no further than the Veneto Boutique Hotel.

All suites include comfortable orthopedic mattresses, high-end bath products, refrigerator, free Wi-Fi and satellite TV. The on-site restaurant, Veneto, has developed a reputation as one of the finest eateries in the area, serving high-end Cretan and Mediterranean cuisine since 1997. The hotel’s 600-year-old wine cellar boasts more than 150 labels from Greece and around the world.

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Casa Vitae (Rethymnon)

This former Venetian mansion in a quiet Rethymnon neighborhood houses several stunningly beautiful villas that preserve the property’s rich history while offering the best in modern-day luxury. Guests will appreciate the hotel’s proximity to the area’s major attractions, including the archaeological museum, Venetian castle and Fortetza.

Villas feature spacious living areas, full kitchens, private swimming pools and terraces. It’s obvious why this hotel made our list of the best hotels in Crete.

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Galaxy Hotel Iraklio (Heraklion)

This lavish, modern hotel features 127 rooms and suites with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, blackout curtains and well-stocked minibars. The property operates two excellent restaurants as well as a full fitness center with cardiovascular and weight equipment.

The vast freshwater pool is surrounded by verdant gardens and lined with lounge chairs and umbrellas. Best of all, the hotel is located within easy walking distance of the Palace of Knossos and the Archeological Museum of Heraklion. This property easily made our list of the best hotels in Crete.

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Blue Palace (Elounda)

Operated by international hospitality juggernaut Marriott, the Blue Palace resort offers guests the consistency of a major hotel chain with the mind-blowing amenities of an independent luxury resort. The property boasts five pools, a massive fitness center offering daily classes like yoga and Pilates, tennis courts, private beach access and the Elounda Spa and Thalassotherapy, with services such as massage, body scrubs, waxing, facials, nail services and much more.

A half-dozen restaurants serve everything from classic Cretan cuisine to sushi, and the resort’s fishing boat can be reserved for private sailing excursions. The modern, airy rooms and villas are decorated in bright, natural tones and include soft cotton bed linens, huge flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and individually-controlled air conditioning.

Some accommodations feature luxury amenities like private plunge pools, fireplaces, private butler service and even a second TV in the bathroom. This is clearly one of the most luxurious and best hotels in Crete.

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