Elounda Peninsula Luxury Resort

ELOUNDA PENINSULA, CRETE — Almost Five-Star Luxury Elounda Peninsula enjoys an exquisite setting. Yet five-star hospitality lies not simply in beautiful surroundings, but in the elegance, discretion and effortless attention to detail with which guests are treated. Regrettably, this is a four-star experience at best. THE PROS Il Borro, Sumosan, the Yacht Club and the Old Mill command magnificent sea views. Dimitri, the chef at Il Borro, produces Michelin-star calibre cuisine; Nikos, its pastry wizard, is equally extraordinary. Matthios, the manager, is exemplary: immaculately dressed, gracious and unfailingly attentive. Nothing is too much trouble. He embodies five-star service. Our villa, with its private pool and breathtaking sea views, was lovely. Champagne on arrival was delightful. The private boat between restaurants is wonderfully romantic; the complimentary buggies extremely useful. Six Senses Spa is beautiful, and the expertly mixed cocktails delicious. THE CONS The absence of comprehensive vegan and gluten-free menus at a purported five-star resort is astonishing. The Old Mill's vegan food was so poor that we could not eat it; we returned by boat to Il Borro, where Dimitri rescued us. Elsewhere, meals required advance requests. It recalled the 1990s, when vegans at luxury resorts survived on French fries, salad and plain pasta. Our pool was heated upon arrival but freezing the next morning. We spent two hours arguing with housekeeping before an unfriendly maintenance gentleman, who spoke little English, fixed it. One telephone call should have sufficed. Worse, he twice entered our private garden unannounced. Once I was undressed and had to hurry to cover myself. Such intrusion is unacceptable. Gates with mere latches need locks operable from inside; staff must obtain permission before entering, barring emergencies. The villa's seating was basic and uncomfortable. More sumptuous furnishings would transform it. The resort kindly offered a complimentary 90-minute Six Senses massage by way of apology. Sadly, it was less than mediocre. I prefer female therapists; this should have been established beforehand. The male therapist was not gentle and, astonishingly, sat on my toes twice. The music and fragrant oils were lovely, but the room lacked candlelit ambience. MY FINAL VERDICT Matthios, Dimitri and Nikos are the resort's greatest treasures. With imaginative vegan cuisine, sumptuous interiors, respect for privacy and consistent service, Elounda Peninsula could become magnificent. True luxury is not measured merely by what an establishment provides, but by how beautifully, discreetly and effortlessly it provides it. For now, however, I can award Elounda Peninsula no more than four stars. A FINAL WORD ON THE TRUE BEAUTY OF CRETE I should like to conclude on a rather different, and infinitely more enchanting, note. For all the beauty of Elounda's coastline, its shimmering waters and magnificent Mediterranean sunsets, my most treasured experience in Crete was not to be found within the walls of any luxury resort. It was my encounter with the extraordinary representations of the DIVINE MOTHER GODDESS at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. These exquisite ancient figurines, with their profound feminine symbolism and mysterious spiritual presence, were, for me, the true jewels of Crete. To stand before these remarkable creations, fashioned thousands of years ago, and contemplate the reverence once bestowed upon the Divine Feminine was an experience of extraordinary beauty and significance. Hotels may offer luxury, and restaurants may offer exquisite cuisine, but there is something infinitely more enduring about encountering the sacred artistry and spiritual heritage of an ancient civilisation that worshipped and celebrated our Divine Mother. For me, the Divine Mother Goddess remains the most beautiful and unforgettable treasure of Crete. Cher Chevalier Author and Film Producer

Great hotel and stay. We love the Restaurants, the Boat Trip to 2 of them in the evening was outstanding. Special thanks to the very friendly captain. The villas with pool are wonderful. All the Staff friendly and very good hospitality, especially the team from the reception. We come again :-)

Visited Elounda Peninsula with 2 friends, and the experience was first class from the moment we arrived to the moment we left We were welcomed at the steps to reception by the General Manager, who told us he'd upgraded us to a 2 bedroom duplex suite. After check in we were taken on a tour of the hotel with a glass of champagne, which was a really nice touch. Our room was beautiful and really spacious, with a huge terrace leading to a private pool with incredible sea views The beach area was stunning with plenty of sun beds, offering a different view every day. Whilst we could use the pools at the other two hotels we chose not to as the peninsula area was so nice and we found the sea was so much more inviting than the pools (even though the pools looked great) We dined at Il Borro, Yacht Club, Sumosan and Elies, and both the food and service at all were excellent. The boat trip to and from the Yacht Club really made the evening! Breakfast was great every day. Lots of choice, and views of the bay that you couldn't wait to get up for! The team at the hotel and in the restaurants were exceptional. So friendly, and always offering recommendations. After breakfast the day before check out we were asked to go to reception to discuss our check out. We were leaving late the next night for a really late flight, and the General Manager happily offered for us to keep our room until we left which honestly made our holiday as it meant we could enjoy a full day at the beach and shower before we left for the airport. It really felt that the hotel team would do whatever they could to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Such a great hotel, really couldn't fault it at all, it genuinely has everything and we'll definitely be back!

Total knock out. Amazing views, the food and the hotel staff are authentic and genuinely welcoming. Honest opinion? Beats our stays at Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons. Can genuinely recommend if you’re looking for a great stay.

Our family holiday at Elounda Peninsula Luxury Resort was honestly a dream from start to finish. From the moment we arrived, my husband, our two girls, and I felt completely looked after. The staff are amazing—so warm, friendly, and genuinely happy to help with anything. They really made us feel at home. The food was fantastic every single day. Lots of variety, always fresh, and so delicious. We especially enjoyed the breakfast with a view :) But the absolute highlight for us was our villa. It was gorgeous—spacious, comfortable, and came with a heated private pool overlooking the most beautiful bay with crystal-clear water. Waking up to that view every morning felt unreal. We spent so much time in the pool, it was just perfect. Our girls also loved the kids club. The team there were brilliant—super kind, fun, and full of great activities each day. It gave them something to get excited about, and it gave us a bit of time to relax too! The whole resort is stunning and so peaceful. Everywhere you look, it’s just beautiful—sparkling water, immaculate grounds, and such a calm atmosphere. Overall, we had the best time at Elounda Peninsula. It really is a little slice of paradise. We’re already talking about when we can come back. Highly recommend for families looking for a luxurious, chilled, and memorable holiday in Crete!