Elounda Gulf Villas

Rooms

There are 19 villas and 15 suites at the main hotel, and a Seafront Villa a short drive away; all of them light, sleek and spacious. You get lots of marble floors and a tasteful combination of antique furniture and modern designer pieces. The rooms are also remarkably peaceful, with no road traffic hum and so little noise from your neighbours that you begin to wonder if they’re still there.

Choose between a suite for 2-4 (like a large hotel room with sitting area), a pool villa for 4-6 (2 storeys, with kitchen and private pool), a spa pool villa (with kitchen and private infinity pool, sauna/gym), or the seafront villa set on the beach (2-storeys, with kitchen and private pool).

The Deluxe Suites have 1-2 bedrooms, a living room and either a balcony or terrace with sea or garden view, and share a pool. The Serenity Pool Suites come with a private pool and Jacuzzi, plus sweeping views of the bay. 

The Pool Villas (Elounda and Prestige) are 2-storey, with 2 or 3 bedrooms respectively; they each have a fully-equipped, open-plan kitchen, and a private swimming pool (not heated) with Jacuzzi. 

The glamorous Spa Pool Villas range from 1 to 4 bedrooms, and each comes with a private, seasonally-heated infinity pool with built-in Jacuzzi, plus a sauna, a steam bath and gym room. 

We’re yet to see the Seafront Villa, with 4 bedrooms, but as the name suggests, it’s located directly on the beach (next to the hotel’s beach club), just a 7-minute drive from the hotel. The villa’s highlight is its huge garden (1500 sq.m) that features a large pool and a shaded patio. It opens directly onto the hotel's private beach club, and has access to all the hotel's amenities.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Bathrobes
• Coffee / tea making
• Cots available
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

If you’re staying in the suites, a buffet breakfast is included. If you are villa guests, you can take it privately or raid the buffet, as you prefer. Those in the Seafront Villa get breakfast (and other meals on request) brought to them daily, and can eat on their terrace overlooking the waves; you can even hire a chef if you're after maximum ease and romance.

Alternatively, head to the hotel’s Argo Restaurant - the candlelit tables by the pool are atmospheric and the food, though not cheap, is a cut above the fare in the touristy Elounda town restaurants. Try the fish soup for starters and the loukoumades (sweet bread doughnuts) to finish, both traditional Cretan dishes served alongside more trendy Med offerings. There’s a children’s menu, an outstanding wine list and the occasional mezé evening.

Round off with a nightcap at the adjoining Argo Lounge Bar and stroll home. It’s not far. If you fancy a change of scene, ask the staff for their restaurant recommendations in Elounda. 

Features include:

• Bar
• Chef on request
• In-house cook
• Kids' meals
• Organic produce
• Restaurant
• Room service
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Elounda Gulf Villas makes a good base for exploring the east coast of Crete; day trips as far as Sitia and Zakros can be arranged, as well as Knossos and Malia to view the Minoan palaces
  
• Relax at the hotel's private beach club a 10-minute walk away, alternatively, the hotel can run you down in a buggy
  
• Check out Agios Nikolaos town, with its sea-lake and nightlife
  
• Drive down to Elounda's fishing harbour, and try your luck
  
• Take a boat trip to Spinalonga island, an ex-leper colony
  
• Explore the traditional Cretan villages of Kritza and Mochlos
  
• Or the Areti monastery
  
• The palm beach at Vai is lovely; there are quite a few local beaches but they're definitely not the best on the island
  
• Hersonissos has an 18-hole golf course
  
• Families may be interested in the Aqua Splash water park
  
• Book a massage at the on-site Elexir Spa Gallery
  
• The hotel can also arrange diving/swimming lessons in the pool

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Fishing
• Golf
• Gym
• Historical sites
• Hot tub
• Nightlife
• Paragliding
• Sailing
• Sauna
• Scuba diving
• Scuba diving courses
• Snorkelling
• Spa treatments
• Steam room
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Windsurfing

Kids

Children are welcome, but must be supervised at all times. There's a fab Cool Kids Club and Cool Creche (open three sessions daily 6 days/wk April-June, Sept-Oct, and 7 days/wk July-Aug; free of charge in the club, for a cost per session in the creche, and if staying for lunch, all ages are charged). Wonderful staff will go out of their way to entertain the kids and learn their names. Kids up to 12 years stay free of charge in the suites and kids' toiletries can be supplied.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Toddlers (1-4 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

All villas are family friendly and have plenty of both indoor and outdoor space. The Seafront Villa offers a little more privacy and has a garden, although note this opens directly onto the private beach club.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms

Distances:

• Airport: 45 minutes
• Shops: 5 minutes
• Hospital: 10 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The exclusive enclave of Elounda Gulf Villas lies 2.5km from Elounda, on the popular eastern side of the island of Crete, high above the bay of Mirabello, just north of Agios Nikolaos.

By Air:
It’s easiest to fly into Heraklion (also called Iraklion), Crete’s capital. Alternatively, there are year-round scheduled flights via Athens.

From the Airport
You can catch a taxi from Heraklion, best booked in advance through the hotel (see rates). Elounda is a 1.5-hour (100km) drive via Agios Nikolaos.

By Car:
Hiring a car will allow you to explore the area better - see our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will follow when you confirm a booking through our site.

More on getting to Greece and getting around.