The Mirabello Bay in eastern Crete is the island’s most glamorous corner: Elounda’s five-star resorts looking out to Spinalonga, the lakeside town of Agios Nikolaos and the pretty fishing harbour of Sissi a little further west. It is perfect for couples, honeymoons and anyone who loves a sea view.
These ten hotels are the ones our guests rate most highly.
You’ll find on this page
- Quick verdicts and a comparison table of every hotel
- Ten top hotels with photos and ratings
- Elounda, Agios Nikolaos or Sissi?
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koutrakis Suites | Sissi, Crete | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.7/5 | No |
| Castello Boutique Resort and Spa | Sissi, Crete | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Full Board, Half Board | 4.7/5 | Yes |
| Minos Beach Art Hotel | Aghios Nikolaos, Crete | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.6/5 | No |
| Elounda Mare Hotel | Elounda, Crete | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.6/5 | No |
| InterContinental Crete | Aghios Nikolaos, Crete | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.5/5 | No |
| Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas | Elounda, Crete | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.5/5 | No |
| Aquila Elounda Village | Elounda, Crete | 5★ | All Inclusive Plus, Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.5/5 | Yes |
| NIKO Seaside Resort MGallery | Aghios Nikolaos, Crete | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.4/5 | Yes |
| Minos Palace Resort | Aghios Nikolaos, Crete | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.4/5 | No |
| Angela Suites Boutique Hotel | Sissi, Crete | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.4/5 | 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. Koutrakis Suites
- Sissi, Crete
- 4-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.7/5
Koutrakis Suites in Sissi has an excellent seafront location, comfortable accommodation, a relaxing pool area and attentive service.
Best for: Seafront Sissi
2. Castello Boutique Resort and Spa
- Sissi, Crete
- 4-star
- Full Board
- TripAdvisor 4.7/5
- Adults only
Adults-only Castello Boutique Resort & Spa in Sissi has a modern style, luxurious accommodation and a central location.
Best for: Adults-only
3. Minos Beach Art Hotel
- Aghios Nikolaos, Crete
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Five-star Minos Beach Art Hotel in Agios Nikolaos has private seafront terraces, a rejuvenating spa and a range of dining including Cretan cuisine, perfect for honeymoons.
Best for: Honeymoons
4. Elounda Mare Hotel
- Elounda, Crete
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Five-star Elounda Mare Hotel has stunning views, a private section of beach, a great range of facilities and great dining.
Best for: Classic Elounda
5. InterContinental Crete
- Aghios Nikolaos, Crete
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.5/5
Five-star InterContinental Crete in Agios Nikolaos has a rooftop infinity pool, stunning views, a modern design and spacious rooms.
Best for: Rooftop views
6. Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas
- Elounda, Crete
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.5/5
Five-star Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas has stunning views, rooms with private pools and a range of dining options.
Best for: Private pools
7. Aquila Elounda Village
- Elounda, Crete
- 5-star
- All Inclusive Plus
- TripAdvisor 4.5/5
- Adults only
Five-star adults-only Aquila Elounda Village is beachfront, with excellent service, rooms with private pools and an All Inclusive Plus option.
Best for: Adults-only luxury
8. NIKO Seaside Resort MGallery
- Aghios Nikolaos, Crete
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.4/5
- Adults only
Five-star adults-only NIKO Seaside Resort MGallery in Agios Nikolaos has an infinity pool, stunning views and a stylish, modern design.
Best for: Design lovers
9. Minos Palace Resort
- Aghios Nikolaos, Crete
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.4/5
Five-star Minos Palace Resort in Agios Nikolaos has a seafront setting, a chilled infinity pool and terrace, a spa and a choice of dining.
Best for: Spa
10. Angela Suites Boutique Hotel
- Sissi, Crete
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.4/5
Five-star Angela Suites Boutique Hotel in Sissi has fresh, modern rooms, swim-up rooms, great service and a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for couples.
Best for: Swim-up suites
Elounda, Agios Nikolaos or Sissi?
Elounda: five-star resorts along the bay, with boats to Spinalonga. Agios Nikolaos: a lively town around a small lake and harbour, with restaurants and shops. Sissi: a pretty fishing harbour between Malia and Agios Nikolaos, quieter and great value. All are around 45 minutes to an hour from Heraklion airport.
How we chose these hotels
We looked at every hotel we sell in Elounda, Agios Nikolaos and Sissi and chose those our guests rate most highly. We excluded hotels already featured in our other guides, so you get fresh choices. Every hotel here is well rated by our guests on TripAdvisor, and every one can be booked with us as an ATOL-protected package with flights and transfers. Prices 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
Take a boat to the island fortress of Spinalonga, explore Agios Nikolaos’s Lake Voulismeni and harbour, visit the hilltop village of Kritsa and its Byzantine church, walk the Lasithi Plateau with its windmills, and dine on fresh fish in Plaka.
Frequently asked questions
Is Elounda or Agios Nikolaos better?
Elounda for luxury resorts and calm; Agios Nikolaos for a lively town with restaurants.
How far is Elounda from Heraklion airport?
About an hour.
Is Elounda good for honeymoons?
Yes, it is one of Crete’s most romantic areas.
Can you visit Spinalonga from Elounda?
Yes, boats run from Elounda and Plaka.
Find your Elounda holiday
Search live prices with flights and transfers, all ATOL protected, or ask a Travel Designer to compare these hotels.
Keep planning
- All Crete hotels
- Greece holidays
- Where to stay in Crete
- Best luxury hotels in Crete
- Best Crete hotels with private pools
Updated October 2026. Hotels can be booked as ATOL-protected packages with flights and transfers through Travelisto.
