East of Heraklion, Crete’s north coast is a chain of resorts within a few miles of each other: Analipsis, Hersonissos, Stalis and Malia. They share the same sunshine and short transfers, but each has a different vibe, from family-friendly and calm to all-night parties.
Here is our comparison, with ten of our best-rated hotels.
You’ll find on this page
- Quick verdicts and a comparison table of every hotel
- The resorts at a glance
- Ten top hotels across the four resorts
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Apartments | Stalis, Crete | 3★ | Bed and Breakfast, Self Catering | 4.7/5 | No |
| Creta Maris Resort | Hersonissos, Crete | 5★ | All Inclusive | 4.6/5 | No |
| Abaton Island Resort & Spa | Hersonissos, Crete | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.6/5 | No |
| Saradari Apartments | Hersonissos, Crete | 3★ | Bed and Breakfast, Self Catering | 4.6/5 | No |
| Kristalli Hotel Apartments | Malia, Crete | 3★ | Bed and Breakfast, Self Catering | 4.6/5 | No |
| Katrin Suites | Stalis, Crete | 4★ | All Inclusive, Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.6/5 | Yes |
| Galazio Beach Resort | Analipsis, Crete | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.6/5 | No |
| Filia Hotel Resort | Stalis, Crete | 3★ | Half Board | 4.6/5 | No |
| NEMA Design Hotel & Spa | Analipsis, Crete | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.5/5 | Yes |
| Stella Blue Seaside Resort | Analipsis, Crete | 4★ | All Inclusive | 4.5/5 | 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. Rainbow Apartments
- Stalis, Crete
- 3-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.7/5
Rainbow Apartments in Stalis has well-presented studios close to the beach, and it is great value for money.
Best for: Great value
2. Creta Maris Resort
- Hersonissos, Crete
- 5-star
- All Inclusive
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Five-star Creta Maris Resort in Hersonissos is beachfront, with outstanding facilities, adults-exclusive areas, a great range of bars and restaurants and all-inclusive.
Best for: All-inclusive
3. Abaton Island Resort & Spa
- Hersonissos, Crete
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Five-star Abaton Island Resort & Spa in Hersonissos has a modern design, stunning panoramic views and shared-pool and private-pool rooms, perfect for honeymoons.
Best for: Honeymoons
4. Saradari Apartments
- Hersonissos, Crete
- 3-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Small and welcoming Saradari Apartments in Hersonissos is set in pretty gardens close to the beach.
Best for: Self-catering
5. Kristalli Hotel Apartments
- Malia, Crete
- 3-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Small and welcoming Kristalli Hotel Apartments in Malia has a modern style close to the resort centre.
Best for: Malia
6. Katrin Suites
- Stalis, Crete
- 4-star
- All Inclusive
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
- Adults only
Adults-only Katrin Suites in Stalis has a central location, great service, a relaxed atmosphere and an all-inclusive option.
Best for: Couples
7. Galazio Beach Resort
- Analipsis, Crete
- 4-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Galazio Beach Resort in Analipsis is beachfront, with a modern design, swim-up rooms and a relaxed atmosphere.
Best for: Beachfront Analipsis
8. Filia Hotel Resort
- Stalis, Crete
- 3-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Filia Hotel Resort in Stalis has great service and a friendly atmosphere close to the beach.
Best for: Friendly Stalis
9. NEMA Design Hotel & Spa
- Analipsis, Crete
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.5/5
- Adults only
Five-star adults-only NEMA Design Hotel & Spa in Analipsis has a modern design, a relaxing atmosphere and rooms with private pools.
Best for: Adults-only luxury
10. Stella Blue Seaside Resort
- Analipsis, Crete
- 4-star
- All Inclusive
- TripAdvisor 4.5/5
Stella Blue Seaside Resort in Analipsis is beachfront, with a modern design, great dining, a relaxing atmosphere and all-inclusive.
Best for: Relaxed all-inclusive
The resorts at a glance
Analipsis: the calmest, with big beachfront hotels and a quieter feel, about 25 minutes from Heraklion airport. Hersonissos: a harbour, a long seafront and lots of restaurants, with a lively centre and quieter edges. Stalis: a sandy beach and a relaxed, family-friendly feel between Hersonissos and Malia. Malia: famous for nightlife on the Bar Street, but also home to a Minoan palace and a quieter old village. All four are within about 40 minutes of the airport.
How we chose these hotels
We looked at every hotel we sell in Analipsis, Hersonissos, Stalis and Malia 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
Visit the Minoan palaces of Knossos and Malia, the CretAquarium in Gournes, the Lassithi Plateau and the Cave of Zeus, the waterparks near Hersonissos, and take a boat trip from Hersonissos harbour.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hersonissos or Malia better?
Hersonissos for a mix of nightlife and family resorts; Malia for nightlife; Stalis for a calmer beach between the two.
Which is best for families?
Stalis and Analipsis.
Which is best for nightlife?
Malia, followed by Hersonissos.
How far are they from Heraklion airport?
About 25 to 40 minutes.
Find your Crete north coast 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
- Where to stay in Crete
- Best all-inclusive hotels in Crete
- Best family hotels in Crete
Updated October 2026. Hotels can be booked as ATOL-protected packages with flights and transfers through Travelisto.
