Crete is Greece’s largest island and its most varied luxury destination. In the east, Elounda and Aghios Nikolaos are famous for glamorous resorts on the Mirabello Bay. In the west, around Chania, you’ll find boutique hotels and some of the island’s most beautiful beaches.
Every hotel below is five-star, and all have earned at least 4.8 out of 5 from TripAdvisor reviewers. We’ve highlighted which are best for families, couples and food lovers.
You’ll find on this page
- Ten five-star hotels with photos, board options and guest ratings
- Quick verdicts for families, honeymooners, adults-only and dining
- East or west Crete? How to choose
- A comparison table and answers to common questions
- Live prices with flights and transfers in the search box at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the hotels
| Hotel | Where | Stars | Board | TripAdvisor | Adults only |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uzenie All Suites Boutique Resort | Adelianos Kampos – Chania, Crete | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 5/5 | Yes |
| Thalassa Villas | Aghios Nikolaos, Crete | 5★ | Full Board, Half Board, Half Board Plus | 5/5 | No |
| Nana Princess | Hersonissos, Crete | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board Plus | 5/5 | No |
| Ventale Island Breeze | Georgioupolis, Crete | 5★ | Half Board | 4.9/5 | No |
| Pnoe Breathing Life | Karteros, Crete | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.9/5 | No |
| Pilot Amphora Boutique Hotel | Georgioupolis, Crete | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.9/5 | Yes |
| JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa | Marathi, Crete | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.9/5 | No |
| Asterion Suites & Spa | Platanias – Chania, Crete | 5★ | All Inclusive Plus, Bed and Breakfast | 4.9/5 | Yes |
| Oros Luxury Beach Resort | Rethymnon – Heraklion, Crete | 5★ | All Inclusive, Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.8/5 | No |
| Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa | Elounda, Crete | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.8/5 | No |
Star ratings are official; TripAdvisor scores were correct when we last checked and can change. Board options vary by room and date.
Quick verdicts
Our top picks
1. Uzenie All Suites Boutique Resort
- Adelianos Kampos – Chania, Crete
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 5/5
- Adults only
Adults-only, newly renovated and right on the beach near Chania, Uzenie All Suites offers rooms with private pools and relaxing wellness facilities. It has one of the very best guest ratings on the island.
Best for: Couples in western Crete
2. Thalassa Villas
- Aghios Nikolaos, Crete
- 5-star
- Full Board
- TripAdvisor 5/5
With a stunning waterfront location in Aghios Nikolaos, luxurious décor and villas with private pools, Thalassa Villas is perfect for families who want space and privacy.
Best for: Families
3. Nana Princess
- Hersonissos, Crete
- 5-star
- Half Board Plus
- TripAdvisor 5/5
Beachfront in Hersonissos with modern, luxurious design and suites with private pools, Nana Princess is a superb honeymoon choice with a Half Board Plus option.
Best for: Honeymoons
4. Ventale Island Breeze
- Georgioupolis, Crete
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.9/5
Beachfront in Georgioupolis with swim-up rooms and modern design, Ventale Island Breeze has a relaxed atmosphere and easy access to the long sandy beach.
Best for: Swim-up rooms on the beach
5. Pnoe Breathing Life
- Karteros, Crete
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.9/5
Contemporary in design with exceptional service and direct beach access, Pnoe Breathing Life near Heraklion is perfect for adults.
Best for: A short transfer from Heraklion
6. Pilot Amphora Boutique Hotel
- Georgioupolis, Crete
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.9/5
- Adults only
Adults-only with superb service, a unique design and rooms with private pools, Pilot Amphora Boutique Hotel is a relaxed hideaway in Georgioupolis.
Best for: A boutique, private-pool escape
7. JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa
- Marathi, Crete
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.9/5
JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa has stunning sea views, impressive design, a range of dining options and rooms with private pools on the Marathi coast near Chania.
Best for: Big-name luxury in the west
8. Asterion Suites & Spa
- Platanias – Chania, Crete
- 5-star
- All Inclusive Plus
- TripAdvisor 4.9/5
- Adults only
Adults-only and beachfront in Platanias, Asterion Suites & Spa offers swim-up and private-pool rooms in a relaxing setting.
Best for: Adults close to Chania’s nightlife
9. Oros Luxury Beach Resort
- Rethymnon – Heraklion, Crete
- 5-star
- All Inclusive
- TripAdvisor 4.8/5
Oros Luxury Beach Resort has direct beach access, stunning sea views and a fantastic spa, and it suits families and couples alike.
Best for: Families and couples together
10. Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa
- Elounda, Crete
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.8/5
In glamorous Elounda, Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa pairs stunning views and rooms with private pools with cooking from a Michelin-starred chef.
Best for: Gourmets and Elounda glamour
East or west Crete?
East (Elounda, Aghios Nikolaos, Hersonissos): Crete’s classic luxury coast, with glamorous resorts around the Mirabello Bay. Fly to Heraklion. West (Chania, Platanias, Georgioupolis): a Venetian harbour town, long sandy beaches and dramatic mountains, with boutique and adults-only hotels. Fly to Chania.
When to go
May to October is the season; the sea is warmest from July to October. For walking, sightseeing and fewer crowds, choose May, June or late September. Flights from the UK take about four hours.
How we chose these hotels
We sell 213 hotels in Crete. To build this list we started with the 80 five-star hotels on the island, then read what our guests say: every hotel here scores highly on TripAdvisor. We spread our picks across different resorts so you can compare areas, and we only include hotels you can book with us today as an ATOL-protected package with flights and transfers. Prices and room types change daily, so use the search box at the end of this page for live availability, or ask a Travel Designer for a tailored shortlist.
Things to do in Crete
Explore the Minoan palace of Knossos, hike the Samaria Gorge, wander Chania’s Venetian harbour, take a boat to Spinalonga island from Elounda, and swim at the famous lagoons of Balos and Elafonisi.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the most luxurious area of Crete?
Elounda and Aghios Nikolaos in the east are the island’s best-known luxury destinations, while the area around Chania has some of the best boutique and adults-only hotels.
Which Crete luxury hotels have private pools?
Many do, including Uzenie All Suites, Thalassa Villas, Nana Princess, Pilot Amphora, JW Marriott Crete and Cayo Exclusive.
Which Crete airport should I fly to?
Heraklion for the east and centre (Elounda, Hersonissos), and Chania for the west (Chania, Platanias, Georgioupolis).
Is Crete good for a luxury family holiday?
Yes. Thalassa Villas and Oros Luxury Beach Resort are excellent family choices.
Find your Crete luxury holiday
Search live prices with flights and transfers, all ATOL protected, or ask a Travel Designer to compare these hotels for you.
Keep planning
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Updated October 2026. Hotels can be booked as ATOL-protected packages with flights and transfers through Travelisto.
