ELOUNDA BEACH & ELOUNDA BAY PALACE

Lizzie Seabridge, Knutsford

My First Impression


I've just returned from a very well organised fam to the Elounda Beach and Elounda Bay Palace hotels in Crete, and wanted to share my thoughts.


The hotels are quite different. Elounda Beach is definitely the higher standard of the two and, for me, appeals more to couples and families who want privacy. There's a lot of choice when it comes to accommodation, ranging from hotel rooms to suites to large villas with private pools — I don't think I've stayed anywhere with so many private-pool options.


Elounda Bay Palace is predominantly hotel rooms, with lots of interconnecting options plus a few suites and villas, so it's great for families.


Out and About


Elounda: the nearest village, about a 20-minute walk from the hotels, with a pretty harbour lined with tavernas, cafés and small shops. Lovely for an evening stroll and dinner by the water.


Aghios Nikolaos: roughly 15 minutes by taxi, this lively town has an inland lake lined with bars and restaurants, ideal if clients want to dine out. It's also great for a bit of shopping for some unique souvenirs.


Plaka: worth a visit, with a few traditional shops and some lovely waterfront tavernas.


Spinalonga Island: a short boat ride away, this historic island features a Venetian fortress that later served as a leper colony (famous from the novel and TV series The Island). 


Elounda Beach is the more exclusive, villa-led resort with the destination restaurants and the spa. Elounda Bay Palace is the gentler-priced, family-friendly neighbour that shares all of it. 

Hotel Comparison


The two hotels sit side by side on Mirabello Bay in north-east Crete, a 20-minute walk from Elounda village and roughly 50 minutes from Heraklion airport.


Both belong to Helios Hotels and are members of The Leading Hotels of the World. The grounds are linked, so guests at either hotel can use the restaurants, bars and facilities of both.


The key difference is what each hotel holds on its own site: Elounda Beach has the fine-dining restaurants, the Chenot penthouse spa and the waterfront villas, while Elounda Bay Palace has a wider spread of mid range rooms and a strong family offer. 



Accommodation


Elounda Beach leans towards suites, bungalows and villas, many with private heated pools. Its standout is the Waterfront Dream Line: bungalow suites and Yachting Villas right on the water's edge with direct sea access. The Platinum Club adds large villas, including the 260 m² Family Presidential Villa for up to 8 people. Standard rooms in the main building start at 28 m², with Deluxe Spa rooms at 45 m².


Elounda Bay Palace offers more choice at the lower and middle end, grouped into three clubs:


Splendid Club: Classic rooms (28 m², mountain, side-sea or sea view), Superior Bungalows and 55 m² Family Rooms for up to 6.


Gold Club: Deluxe rooms and bungalows, shared-pool suites and Mediterranean Villas with private pools.


Platinum Club: the newer Sea Breeze and Sea Whisper bungalows and villas, the Presidential and Grand Suites, a three-bedroom penthouse and the Palace Suite.

Dining and Facilities


Guests of both hotels can dine around seven restaurants across the two sites, but most of the à la carte choice sits at Elounda Beach.


On half board, Elounda Beach guests get a three-course dinner in any of its à la carte restaurants (drinks extra).

Bay Palace half board is based on Aretoussa, with dine-around options in the à la carte venues. Bay Palace also has a smart dress code in its restaurants. 


Most facilities are shared, so the difference is mainly where they sit. 

 

Beaches: each hotel has two private sandy Blue Flag beaches with complimentary sunbeds and umbrellas; Elounda Beach adds a beach butler service.


Spa: the Espace Vitalité Chenot penthouse spa, with indoor and outdoor pools, is at Elounda Beach. Bay Palace guests use it but walk across.


Pools: Elounda Beach has a saltwater pool beside Artemis. Bay Palace has an outdoor seawater pool, an indoor freshwater pool and a children's pool.


Children: both have kids' clubs. Bay Palace runs a complimentary supervised programme for ages 4 12.


Activities: watersports and PADI diving, tennis (Bay Palace has five floodlit courts), fitness centre, and reduced green fees at Crete Golf Club, about 35 minutes away.


Visit me at our Knutsford branch, call 01565 396700, or email knutsford@ashdowntravel.co.uk if you would like to find out more about Elounda Beach and Elounda Bay Palace.

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