There are plenty of beautiful beach resorts in Crete, and of course, there is one that is perfect for you! Some of these hotels are elegant, relaxing, and ideal if you’re seeking a quiet and restful holiday. Other beach hotels are fun-filled child-friendly venues with plenty of different activities to keep all the family happy.
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Best Beach Resorts in Crete
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Crete’s beaches are as diverse as these resorts. There are small secluded coves, beaches with smooth pebbles and crystal clear waters, and huge sandy beaches with a plethora of water sports.
As well as the opportunity to stretch out on a sun lounger by the beach, many of these beach resorts have other tempting facilities including gorgeous spas and gourmet restaurants.
Here, I bring you 10 beach resorts that I love in Crete, my personal pick of the best beach hotels on the island. Will I manage to tempt you?
Domes Noruz Autograph Collection
- Chania
Domes Noruz Autograph Collection – This stylish adults-only hotel, considered one of the best beach resorts in Crete, features an award-winning design with a modern twist.
The rooms are carefully grouped around two beautiful pools, overlooking the hotel’s own stretch of beach on the calm coast of Kato Daratso.
Guestrooms and suites have spacious living areas with an outdoor bathtub, hot tub, or plunge pool.
Plenty of green areas, lawns with sun loungers, and huge cushions for lazy moments.
One of the pools has a fun swim-up bar where guests can enjoy a glass of champagne and fresh seafood.
Extras: There is a fitness center with a personal trainer, as well as a stylish spa with a hammam, a sauna, and an excellent treatment menu.
Despite having its exclusive beachfront area, Domes Noruz is not far from several other beautiful beaches in Chania and is about an hour’s drive from the gorgeous pink sands of Elafonisi – one of the best beaches on the Greek Islands.
Isn’t this a perfect place for truly unforgettable holidays?
– Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Ammos Beach Hotel
- Heraklion
Ammos Beach Hotel – The word ammos is Greek for sand and this Malia resort remains faithful to that meaning.
Located on the beautiful sandy beach of Malia, this luxury hotel features an exclusive, private beach area for its guests.
Most rooms boast gorgeous views while also the on-site excellent restaurant overlooks the magnificent bay which is particularly beautiful at sunset.
Extras: The hotel features an original pool as well as a spa and a wellness center. For beach lovers, the hotel stands close to Ikaros and Kernos Beaches.
The hotel is a short walk from the Malia Strip, with dozens of bars, clubs, and restaurants, overall, this is an excellent choice to combine a calm atmosphere with the lively spirit of Malia.
– Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas
- Lasithi
Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas – A magnificent complex and one of the top luxury hotels on the island, Daios Cove has rightfully been defined as one of the finest beach resorts in Crete.
It stands on a hillside overlooking its own bay, Vathi Bay with an exclusive sandy beach.
The Resort features stunning guest rooms, suites, and 40 villas, each of them with a stylish living area with huge panoramic windows and spectacular sea views over the bay.
Rooms come with marble bathrooms, a coffee maker plus a personalized pillow menu. Larger suites have beautiful sea terraces and private sea water plunge pools.
Extras: On the premises, guests can enjoy 2 pools, a spa, water sports, and tennis courts. The beautiful beach has plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas and a Greek tavern at the edge of the shore.
Guests can also trust the hotel’s concierge services to arrange wonderful day trips, such as a visit to Knossos or a boat trip to the island of Spinalonga.
– Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Abaton Island Resort & Spa
- Heraklion
Abaton Island Resort and Spa – This stylish resort stands in a sandy cove with tranquil blue waters and plenty of sun loungers.
It has been designed in a classic Cycladic and minimalistic style with white-washed buildings that contrast with the lagoon-style pool.
There are glass walls in many of the public areas making the resort light and bright but also incorporating the beautiful views of the sea.
The luxurious guest rooms, suites, and villas are all beautifully furnished and have either an outdoor terrace, a private pool, or a hot tub.
Extras: There is a huge infinity pool plus a children’s pool as well as a heated indoor pool. The Resort has 5 a la carte restaurants each with its character and menu, all inspired by the island’s cuisine.
For some time by the sea, the Buddha Beach Bar is the perfect place to unwind win at sunset with a drink and a light snack.
And as if all this was not enough, most online reviews praise the professional and attentive service of the hotel’s staff.
Do you need anything else for an unforgettable holiday?
They have more. The resort also has a beautiful spa for pampering moments while for extra entertainment, the guest relations service can organize day trips to Knossos archaeological site, the southern coast, or traditional small villages.
– Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Anemos Luxury Grand Resort
- Chania
Anemos Luxury Grand Resort – Situated not far from Lake Kournas, Crete’s stunning natural lake, in a spectacular beachfront location is the elegant Anemos.
As you step into the reception area, you will immediately feel that this is no ordinary place. Impressive features include opulent Baroque sofas and lavish chandeliers.
The guest rooms, bungalows, and suites are equally elegantly decorated, some of them boasting a private pool as well, ideal for a romantic getaway
Extras: There are 3 restaurants showcasing Cretan and Greek cuisine. The hotel has 4 large pools linked by shallow lagoons and surrounded by well-tended lawns and lush greenery.
An underground tunnel connects directly to the private sandy beach.
– Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Pepper Sea Club Hotel (Adults Only)
- Chania
Pepper Sea Club Hotel – This exciting new hotel is also situated in the Georgioupolis area and has been beautifully styled in warm natural colors and materials to exude a luxurious ambiance.
The spacious guest rooms have been styled paying great attention has been paid to detail. Their suites have a private pool and are ideal for a romantic escape.
Extras: There are 2 restaurants offering Cretan and international dishes.
The hotel also has a stylish outdoor pool and a huge deck area with plenty of comfortable sun loungers, as well as a cozy, private sandy beach.
For utterly relaxing moments, the spa comes with a sauna and a steam bath and offers a range of lovely massages. There is a light gym too, in case you feel the need for a revitalizing sweat.
– Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Elounda Beach Hotel and Villas
- Lasithi
Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas, a Member of the Leading Hotels of the World – Overlooking Mirabello Bay on the northeast coast of Crete is Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas, a gorgeous hotel decorated in a light, modern style with luxurious rooms, suites, and bungalows, some of them with private pools.
Extras: Elounda Beach has so many amenities that it’s hard to know where to start!
There’s a beautiful outdoor pool filled with seawater, tennis courts, basketball, and volleyball courts.
It also features a tranquil spa center with a gym, a hammam, and a steam bath. There are several restaurants and a range of children’s activities for families.
Guests can book sightseeing excursions to explore the pretty town of Agios Nikolaos, the Knossos Palace, or even go as far as the Samaria Gorge, in Chania!
– Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Looking for more hotels on Crete’s northeast coast? Check the Domes of Elounda and the Elounda Blue Palace in this article featuring 17 Stunning Luxury Resorts in Crete.
Fodele Beach Water Park Resort
- Heraklion
Fodele Beach Water Park Resort – This is a luxury, all-inclusive resort with a seafront location, next to the sandy beach of Fodele, on Crete’s north coast.
The resort is perfect for families as the guest rooms are spacious with light contemporary decor and kid-friendly comforts.
The hotel has three restaurants offering French and Greek cuisines. There are also three beautiful pools with poolside bars and guests can enjoy massage and sauna facilities plus a well-equipped gym.
Extras: The hotel is a top choice for family holidays, children will enjoy spending time at the water park or the Resort’s Kids’ Club.
The slides are so fantastic that they also made it to our Best Water Park Hotels in Crete article.
For those wanting to explore the island, the hotel can organize excursions to Knossos and the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion as well as to many other places of interest.
– Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Atlantis Beach Hotel
- Rethymnon
Atlantis Beach Hotel – This beautiful hotel overlooks a sandy Blue Flag beach with its sun loungers and parasols, it’s not directly on the beach, just under 10 meters from its private shore and only minutes from the amazing old town of Rethymnon.
The hotel has comfortably furnished guest rooms, spacious, bright, and modern, with gorgeous views of the cast of Rethymnon.
There is also a large and inviting outdoor pool surrounded by sun loungers for relaxing moments.
Extras: The Knossos restaurant serves Greek and Cretan cuisine and the lobby bar prepares drinks to enjoy surrounded by the beautiful atmosphere with views of the sea.
Both the beach and the pool area are serviced by the lobby and pool bars.
Other relaxing facilities include a fitness room and a sauna, a children’s playground, and a games room.
– Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Ikaros Beach Luxury Resort & Spa
- Heraklion
Ikaros Beach Luxury Resort and Spa – This stylish Malia resort has a private sandy beach and a choice of classic rooms, suites, bungalows, and villas all with natural stone walls and modern furnishings.
The resort has been carefully designed to capture the character of a Greek village, while its name evokes a well-known character from Greek mythology.
The guest rooms have large balconies, whilst the bungalows have large family-sized bathrooms plus a terrace and lawn.
Extras: The resort has 3 stunning pools surrounded by palm trees. Some bungalows come with shared pools as well. The panoramic views from the Averi restaurant are magnificent.
And if all of that was not enough, the elegant spa offers a range of luxury treatments for moments of authentic serenity and self-care.
– Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
So… Would you like to sleep right by the sea… and will you be staying by the sea in Crete?
Read more about Crete Hotels
- Best Places to Stay in Crete for Young Couples
- Best Places to Stay in Crete for Families
- Best Places to Stay in Crete to Go to the Beach
- Best Hotels with Water Parks in Crete
- Best Resorts with Spas in Crete for a Relaxing Holiday
Pin this Guide to the Most Amazing Beach Resorts in Crete for Your Next Vacation in Greece!
About me:
I have lived in Chania, Crete, since 2016. As a local, I have an intimate knowledge of the Crete. I host culinary and concierge tours and experiences in Crete and write about the island for several travel media. During the last five years, I have helped many travelers plan the perfect holiday in Crete. I co-authored DK Eyewitness Top 10 Crete and had more glasses of frappe than any regular person could ever handle.