Elounda Bay Palace Hotel 5 stars

Surrounded by lush gardens overlooking Mirabello Bay, the Elounda Bay Palace Hotel provides a variety of accommodation including rooms and suites, also villas and bungalows with private pools. Guests have the use of outdoor and indoor pools, a fitness centre, spa and wellness centre and a tennis court. Dining is available at the hotels’ Aretoussa Restaurant specialising in Greek and International cuisine, alternatively, guests can choose a variety of seafood dishes at the Thalassa Waterfront Restaurant. The resort of Agios Nikolaos is 6.5 km from the hotel and Heraklion International Airport is 67 km away.

Elounda, once a fishing village, lies on the north east coast of Crete and has become a popular tourist resort, mainly because of its natural beauty, historical sites and fantastic beaches. The island of Spinalonga which was once a leper colony, lies just off the coast of Elounda and can be reached by regular boat trips.

One of the most important archaeological sites of Cretan history, the Venetian fortress can be found on the island. Relics of the ancient sunken city of Olous are beneath the clear, shallow waters off the Spinalonga peninsular. On a day when the sea is calm, the ruins can be seen in the clear waters just by standing at the water’s edge. Alleyways and long-lost streets can be seen. An ideal place for those who like snorkelling and diving.