Elounda Mare Hotel, Elounda, Crete, Greece

At first light the Mirabello water lies still as glass, and bougainvillea casts pink lace over whitewashed stone.

A Relais & Châteaux classic on a private stretch of Elounda’s coast, Elounda Mare Hotel gathers 82 rooms, suites, and garden bungalows—many with their own pools—into fragrant lawns and stone paths that wander to the sea.

It’s the Cretan summer you imagine: slow breakfasts, shady siestas, and evenings when the horizon turns copper.

What Makes It Special

• Private seafront with jetty and gentle access to the bay
• A mix of main-house rooms and garden bungalows/villas (many with private pools)
• Relais & Châteaux culinary ethos—terrace dinners and sunlit, produce-led lunches
• Discreet, old-school hospitality; gardens of pine, olive, and jasmine
• Sister-property access for broader dining and wellness, while keeping Mare’s hush

A Day at Elounda Mare

Morning

Greek coffee steams beside figs and thick yogurt glossed with thyme honey. Barefoot, cross the lawn to the small beach; the water is clear enough to count pebbles.

Afternoon

The garden smells of pine and sun-warmed rosemary. Linger by your private pool or claim a lounger on the jetty; lunch is day-catch with lemon and capers, a crisp island white.

Evening

Golden hour paints the headlands honey. Take a table under the pergola; cicadas soften as candles appear and boats draw chalk lines across the bay.

Night

Lanterns bead the paths. Your terrace keeps a trace of warmth; waves fold and unfold like slow breathing.

Insider Tips for Elounda Mare Hotel

• Sea view is worth it.
• Lift access to all floors in the main building.
• They’ll valet/park your car.
• Private bungalows with pools are the recurring winner if budget allows.
• Yacht Club, best price-to-value for the fine-dine program.
• Let the hotel book your tables—you’ll often get a warmer welcome and better seats.

Why We Love It (Curated Highlights)

At Hotelagio we hand-pick only stays that feel truly one-of-a-kind. This property made our list because of these rare details:

• Garden-to-sea flow — lawns, olives, and a quiet jetty steps from your door.
• Bungalow privacy — walled courtyards and private pools for unhurried hours.
• Cretan, refined — Relais & Châteaux spirit without fuss: perfect tomatoes, perfect fish.
• Heritage calm — timeless service and architecture that lets the bay do the talking.

For Whom

For couples: Secluded bungalows, candlelit terraces, starry swims.
For families: Garden space to roam, gentle sea entry, multi-room villa options.
For quiet seekers: Classic styling, low-key rhythms, and real privacy.

Quick Facts (Luxury Snapshot)

Location: Elounda, Crete, Greece — ~1 hr by car from Heraklion (HER)
Rooms: 82 (main-house rooms/suites + garden bungalows & villas; many with private pools)
Rates: From USD 702 — worth it for seafront privacy, bungalow pools, and refined dining
Best for: Couples, serenity-seeking families, culinary travelers, classicists
Style: Boutique, Classic — whitewashed stone, shaded courtyards, blue-on-blue vistas