Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel
📍Crete
For our Neighbourhood Stays series our travel tastemakers uncover hotels and boltholes that ooze style whilst celebrating local. In this instalment Amira Hashish sails into Elounda Peninsula…
Neighbourhood: About an hour’s drive from Heraklion airport, on the Eastern side of the sizeable island of Crete, lies this magnificent all-suite hotel. Part of a sprawling estate owned by the same family, with a Six Senses Spa and two other hotels on site, Elounda Peninsula has its very own private beach with a sandy cove that is perfect for taking a gentle dip. The hotel’s private sailboat is available for charter and, when not in use, bobs majestically in the waters, twinkling at night and making for a very romantic outlook.
Spinalonga, the former leper’s island just offshore from the charming village of Plaka, is around a 15-minute drive away.
What to expect: A charming resort which, despite its scale, feels family-run in the best possible way. Elounda Peninsula is also home to the largest seafront pool in Crete. Spanning 420 square meters, this tranquil oasis has hydro-massage areas, submerged loungers, and easy-access steps. The silky-smooth pebbledeck pool can be heated to 27c so it is in action all year round.
Community and ambience: The team go out of their way to make you feel like friends of the hotel taking a warm but elevated approach. This is a family-friendly property and there are plenty of amenities to keep all ages entertained but there is ample space for couples to enjoy a chilled-out escape as well. Elounda draws an A-list clientele including Lady Gaga, Charlize Theron and Ronaldo but its understated elegance, as opposed to flashy glitz, is part of its charm.
Design Details: Following an ongoing multi-million-euro investment, the hotel has rebuilt all suites and villas and added a new seaside villa with pool, as well as the construction of two new larger swimming pools. In 2020, a six-bedroom Diamond Residence was also unveiled. This is the largest waterfront accommodation in Crete with its own private saltwater pool.
The beach bar is decorated with marble and wood mixed with elegant furniture to create one of the island’s most luxurious lounges.
A nautical nod is the common theme throughout the spaces, befitting of its shimmering sea outlook. Modern but refined, Elounda Peninsula is Greek chic that feels somewhat timeless.
Where should I stay? There are varying accommodation options according to the size of your travel party and the level of privacy required but we loved our Beachfront Junior Suite. Steps from the sandy shores of Elounda with a never-ending view of the Aegean, it was truly blissful. Is there anything more relaxing than sleeping to the sounds of the lapping waves and popping in and out of the ocean?
On the menu: The hotel has two internationally branded restaurants. Sumosan, a contemporary Japanese eatery that has made its Greek debut, is dramatically positioned directly over the sea. The sushi and sashimi is fresh and flavourful and as the sun sets the water below begins to glow. Very dreamy.
Il Borro was a personal favourite though. Owned by the Ferragamo fashion dynasty, it is a testament to the Elounda family that they have entrusted the hotel with their Greek outpost. Situated along the waterfront, this much-praised Italian bistro blends into its setting and serves traditional dishes crafted from fresh, seasonal ingredients. The wines, including the renowned Il Borro wine from the Tuscan countryside’s organic estate, are great too. I have been fortunate enough to dine at the Florence restaurant and can happily confirm that its Cretan venture lives up to expectations.
Spa time: Tucked away in the neighbouring building of Porto Elounda, Six Senses Spa is in a world of its own. An extensive wellness program and treatment menu blends science and human awareness, with a high-tech approach. From facials to smart tech body analysis, it is all on offer here.
Local experience: Fancy cruising the Aegean archipelago? Exclusive private yachts are moored at Elounda, ready to sail into the crystal-clear waters of Mirabello Bay and beyond.
Book: Rooms start at around €400 for a Junior Suite with a Sea View in low season. Visit eloundapeninsula.com for the latest rates.