Elounda Mare Relais & Châteaux Hotel

superior bungalow with private pool was beautiful. Huge patio and big pool with amazing views staff very nice

food was terrible ( not breakfast). first full day there was a construction crew right below us drilling and grinding all day long. It was ridiculous. Complained to front desk and after at first playing like they had no idea, I played them a video. While they didn’t assure us it would stop, the next day, they said they would look into it. Luckily the next to days were fine with minimal noise(occasional hammering). It’s a shame because had it not been for that, I would give it a 10 for facilities. Poor management decision to allow construction right below a room with private pool.

This was my second stay at Elounda Mare. I was there for the first time last September and loved it so much that I returned at the first opportunity I got. It is a place of beauty, calm, tranquillity, and charm, with gorgeous views of Mirabello Bay and the Lassithi Mountains in the distance. Arguably, this hotel has the best location in Elounda: it is right on the shoreline and perfectly positioned to take in the view. Since there are no rooms with only a side sea view, or views of the back of the hotel, everyone gets to enjoy it. The garden is meticulously maintained, the grass is always green, and everything is very thoughtfully laid out, with plenty of space. You never get the feeling of being squeezed into cookie-cutter boxes or being too close to your neighbours. The rooms in the main building are decorated in a traditional style rather than modern minimalism, which gives them real character and charm. The staff are amazing and exceptionally attentive to your needs and wishes. You immediately feel welcomed, as if you were family or an old friend visiting. Everything is very clean, the food in the restaurants is excellent — check the menus online — and the lobby is spacious, with a great bar and fantastic barmen. The above might come across as an advertisement, but I assure you it is not. If you give it a try, you too might be enchanted by the magic of this place and its warm hospitality. You will soon understand why so many guests keep returning year after year.

Good location and staff at restaurants were great and food was exceptional

People in villa 50 next to us arrived Monday evening and made so much noise at 1am Tuesday morning and I contacted reception by the tablet and got no response. I called later that morning and the man on reception was rude and dismissive. The people continued to be loud each night at midnight outside and it was selfish and unacceptable. The fact that management didn’t contact us to discuss the matter or follow up was really poor service. We also got invited to cocktails at 7pm on Friday evening when we were booked for dinner at 7pm at the Italian restaurant so had to be on the boat at 6.50pm to head to dinner. So the fact nobody realised we could not attend was didn’t check was poor again. The villa was dirty under sofas and in corners and clearly not well cleaned before we arrived.

Location was good - halfway between Elounda Port and Agios Nikolaos. Grounds were well kept and presented nicely. Access to private beach and sea front was very good, and the majority of staff were incredibly helpful.

Hotel is a little tired and in need of a refurbishment. Whilst we were upgraded to a villa with a better view, the internal decor was dated, and the external area needed a bit of TLC. The gym was also very old and not fit for purpose, and we were never warned at time of booking that the gym in the other resort hotel wouldn't be available. Due to the age of the villa, we were attacked by mosquitos every night that must have been entering through cracks in the doors, or down the chimney. Also we had a very bad experience in the Deck restaurant on the first night that ensured we didn't eat at the resort again. There was a miscommunication with the waiter who replaced the food options that accompanied our Grouper fillet with french fries, rather than having french fries as a side order. Whilst it's ok to forgive them not understanding, his reaction was to tell us that we were wrong and we ordered it like that - very unprofessional. We essentially ended up paying 40euro for a small fish fillet and french fries just slapped on a plate.