I hadn’t been to the island of Crete since a childhood holiday in the 80’s, so I jumped on the invitation to explore the prestigious Elounda Penninsula All Suite hotel in early May and make new memories.
Geographically speaking, Crete is unique being equidistant from Europe, Asia and Africa. It is Greece’s largest island measuring 260 kilometres long and anything from 12 to 56 kilometres wide. It is mountainous in parts and offers huge variations in both landscape and climate. Olive groves and vineyards are interspersed with short mountain ranges, and the north of the island’s inviting bays and ports contrast with the more rugged coastline of the south.
Spring in Crete truly begins in April, when the island is awash in flowers. Temperatures aren't too hot at this time, making it a great season for hiking and cycling. By April the water temperature is warm enough for swimming. Summer is almost pure sunshine in Crete and often warm temperatures, as heatwaves from Africa can cause the mercury to rise.
We flew into Crete in early May and it was so easy with regular flights from London Gatwick to Heraklion with EasyJet during the day and evening. The flight time is a mere 4 hours.Arriving in the evening at Heraklion airport we were escorted from the airport terminal to a luxury mini-van with its cool air conditioning and chilled water. The whole process was effortless and a quick transfer of around 45 minutes meant we were soon warmly welcomed by staff at the Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel.
The hotel is located in Eastern Crete is also just a few miles north of Agios Nikolas and very near to the town of Elounda. I was intrigued to experience staying here as it is one of the most exclusive hotels in Greece and “Europe’s top seafront luxury hotel” according to Conde Nast Traveler, with 59 suites and villas. Positioned on a peninsular stretch of land, it enjoys an outstanding location overlooking the Bay of Elounda, Mirabello Bay, and the Aegean Sea. The view is blue as far as the eye can see and the water crystal clear. The hotel is reached by a private road that leads to the reception area on the top floor, with expansive verandas making you feel like you are on the bridge of a ship.
Additionally, I learnt the hotel is designed so that all rooms have a sea view and privacy balcony, some also include a plunge pool or pool. The complex looks like a charming Greek Village complete with stone walkways and vibrant vegetation and it is just delightful to wander around.
The Elounda Peninsula Hotel has All Suite attached to its name for the reason that all their accommodations are luxury suites: the Junior Suites Sea View, the Peninsula Collection Suites, Beachfront Junior Suites, Peninsula Grand Villas, Presidential Suites, Presidential Villas, Diamond Residences, Royal Grand Suite, and the Peninsula Residence. (Seafront presidential suites have exclusive access to the sea)
The VIP treatment started from the time I stepped into the hotel. Each of us was welcomed with a refreshing glass of bubbly and a ‘Peninsula Welcome Treat’ and surprise courtesies were left out every day during our stay. Checking into my Junior Suite did not disappoint. A spacious room, jaw dropping views of the bay and gorgeous furnishings. A luxurious bathroom complete with all the bath amenities you could think of. Comfort is not in any way compromised– they provide feather pillows which are hypoallergenic and a huge and comfortable bed. From the bedsheet up to the tiniest details such as the marble tiles in the bathroom, their rooms certainly exceeded all my expectations.
The luxury doesn’t stop when you leave the main hotel since the resort has its own private beach for the exclusive use of Elounda Peninsula guests, set around a stunning tranquil cove where the staff are constantly on hand to bring cold water, fresh fruit, cold compresses or anything else that takes your fancy. You can swim, snorkel, relax and just watch the world go by.
Guests can use the extensive family facilities offered at the adjoining Porto Elounda GOLF & SPA RESORT, just a couple of minutes walk away, with the animal-themed kids club and creche. Children can enjoy indoor and outdoor play areas, and 2 supervised shallow pools. There is mask making, cookie baking and treasure hunts, as well unique activities like mini Olympic games and growing tomatoes in the garden. Even 6-month old babies are taken care of, freeing up some valuable time for parents. There is also AstroTurf tennis courts, a movie theatre for private screenings and 9-hole golf course within the resort.
And, for those who prefer water-based activities, there are multiple boats for water-skiing and wakeboarding, with instructors available to teach beginners or help you improve your skills.
No account of the resort would be complete without mentioning the outstanding quality and variety of the restaurants. From Asian cuisine to Authentic Greek Culinary Experience, Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel has has a wide array of options.
The gourmet restaurant Calypso, delivered culinary delights in an exclusive ambiance, next to a turquoise pool that seems to overflow into the sea. My favourite was the Greek degustation evening at the seaside Odysseus restaurant complete with live Bouzouki, Greek meze and a wide variety of speciality dishes.
The impressive Kelari wine cellar, home to a truly remarkable selection of labels spanning decades offers private tasting conducted by an awarded sommelier, as well as private dining for up to 8 guests. Koh Pan-Asian Restaurant, located just above sea level at the very tip of the peninsula, offers a magical setting in which to enjoy culinary delights from the Far East.
Don’t miss the Cretan night – a traditional Cretan feast full of local flavours and delicacies accompanied by music and traditional dance in which guests can participate in the square. Meat and poultry are cooked in a Cretan way only using the finest ingredients and the best extra-virgin olive oil that Crete is famous for. Of course, a meal wouldn’t be complete without the oh-so-yummy Cretan Desserts!
For those seeking something a little more sedate, a visit to the Six Senses spa is a must on any visit to the hotel; a winner of multiple awards, it overlooks the hotel complex so enjoys stunning views over the cove and across the bay. The spa offers a comprehensive range of treatments with talented therapists and I loved having a chance to relax with a full body massage.
The two mornings I was there I also attended the morning yoga and pilates group class held on the beach with private instructor, followed by a morning dip in the refreshing sea. What a delight!
One of the highlights of our trip was an afternoon excursion by boat across the blue waters to the island of Spinalonga. Nicknamed as the island of the living dead, Spinalonga, lies at the natural harbor of Elounda. Despite being a small barren island of 85 acres, it carries a long history and holds a special place in the Greeks' hearts, while it preserves its beauty notwithstanding its dark past. It was used as a leper colony from 1903 to 1957, and the fascinating aspects of its history are explored (and made famous) in The Island by Victoria Hislop.
The outstanding facilities at the Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel combined with the wonderfully attentive and welcoming staff, scrumptious food and sublime location are just some of reasons why I am looking forward to a return visit soon. 3 days wasn’t long enough!
Zoe travelled in May 2022 courtesy of Flospitality and the team at the Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotell
