Elounda Mare Hotel ★★★★★

I chose Crete not only because I knew my wife has always wanted to visit, but also because of the Elounda S.A. Hotels & Resorts. With its trio of five-star hotels, fabulous dining, and private beaches, there was no way we could go wrong. And luckily we had VeryChic, who made the whole booking process extremely easy. I ultimately chose the Elounda Mare hotel for its private bungalows with pools, isolated beach, and the renowned Six Senses Spa I knew both my wife and I would enjoy. VeryChic promised perks such as free breakfast, an à la carte dinner, and a 30-minute spa treatment, while the hotel itself tempted with its “Elounda Mare welcome treat” and “specialty hospitality surprise courtesies” throughout our stay. We were ready to be pampered!

As we descended upon Crete and made our way to Elounda, we were naturally overwhelmed by the Aegean Sea views and typically white-stone Greek architecture. Arriving at the Elounda Mare Hotel, we were ushered to our private bungalow where we’d be spending the majority of our stay. We’re greeted by a crisp and contemporary interior design which is highlighted by traditional antique touches. The living space offers the utmost in comfort, whether in the living room with its plush sofa, or in the furnished garden with its wonderful sea views. The bedroom is a haven of peace, featuring a superb bed, satellite LCD flat screen TV, and turn-down service with complementary water. The spectacular marble bathroom is equipped with a shower, sound system, towel heater, slippers, and an Airbath®. Outside, a private terrace and pool beckon you to come and unwind, while the emerald sea in the distance provides you with moments of sweet and quiet reflection.

Settled into our bungalow, we didn’t want to move. But our five-star hotel experience had only just started. Awaiting us were the Six Senses Spa and one of a number of renewing treatments, dinner in the Old Mill restaurant, recognized as one of Greece’s finest restaurants with its innovative Cretan cuisine, astounding wine list, and magical setting, as well as activities organized by the top-rate staff at the resort including scuba diving, tennis, a round of golf, and even shopping. We had come to recharge our batteries, and we couldn’t have picked a better place to do it. The Elounda Mare Hotel really is the perfect holiday getaway for all the right reasons – charm, privacy, pristine beauty, and the kind of relaxation that leaves you wanting to come back for more.