Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel

It’s all about the spectacular sea views at Elounda Peninsula All-Suite Hotel. Overlooking the bay of Elounda, the hotel is perched on a stretch of land above Mirabello Bay and features 59 elegantly decorated suites laid out like a classic Greek whitewashed waterside village. Each suite has its private saltwater pool on a spacious terrace, with generous living space and top-quality design, making it a celebrity magnet – Tom Hanks and Charlize Theron have stayed here. White and blue furniture upholstered in natural materials is designed for lingering as you gaze through the floor to ceiling windows at the turquoise pool and sea. Giant bathrooms have dark concrete with walk-in showers and soaking baths.

There is a fine dining Calypso Restaurant plus the pan-Asian Koh, and an impressive Kellari wine cellar to visit and sample. Breakfast includes a buffet of yoghurt, pastries, cheeses plus eggs cooked in any style. Be sure to take a meal at one of the neighbouring sister hotels, including the award-winning Old Mill, at Mare, and waterside Yacht Club. There’s a private beach, cinema with exclusive screenings, tennis courts, a golf course and water sports facilities to keep you entertained during your stay. Elounda is a short walk away and like stepping into a postcard thanks to its colourful streets and attractive harbour. Spinalonga, the former leper’s island is just offshore, and the charming village of Plaka is within easy reach. The ancient restored ruins of Knossos are an hour’s drive to the west, where you’ll also find Heraklion airport.