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Some of Greece's finest resorts line the shores of Elounda peninsula, offering sumptuous surroundings and exquisite service. Although the atmosphere at these resorts is more international than Greek, in other places you'll find authentic surroundings in the Venetian palaces and old mansions that are being sensitively restored as small hotels, especially in Chania and Rethymnon. Many of the better hotels on Crete offer special rates and packages through their websites, and it's always worthwhile to check out what discounts might be available during your stay—special rates often bring even a luxurious hotel into affordable range, especially outside of high season. For a more rustic yet authentic experience on Crete, opt for simple, whitewashed, tile-floor rooms with rustic pine furniture in the ubiquitous "room to rent" establishments in mountain and seaside villages. Another common term is "studio," which implies the presence of a kitchen or basic cooking facilities. Standards of cleanliness are high in Crete, and service is almost always friendly.
Right on the lake in the center of town, this good-value hotel has airy and spacious guest rooms that are nicely done with simple, contemporary furnishings; studios, with kitchens and large baths, are enormous and ideal for families. Views from all rooms and their balconies are pleasant, though some face a shopping street; the best overlook the lake.
A renovated 650-year-old Venetian town house, once the home of Greek prime minister Eleftherios Venizelos, is full of architectural surprises: wood ceilings and floors; small, deep-set windows; and two-story suites with lofts, accented with handsome traditional furnishings. Weather permitting, breakfast is served on the narrow lane out front.
This apartment-hotel stands out for its easy, relaxed feel and the rooms front a sandy beach that's a two-minute walk from town and have great views of Sitia Bay. Family-run, clean, and uncomplicated, even the smallest studio has its own kitchen and balcony. A chlorine-free pool with plenty of shade and a small gym and sauna offer welcome diversions.
To enjoy a remote Cretan retreat without sacrificing comfort, it's hard to beat these beautifully renovated stone houses in an ages-old village that clings to a mountainside high above the Libyan Sea. Fireplaces, handmade wood furnishings, and embroidered carpets enhance the character-filled surroundings, while terraces, a cliff-side pool, and an outdoor summer taverna are vantage points from which to take in the mountain and sea views. Excellent farm-to-table local fare is served in a fire-warmed, wood-beam restaurant. This is agro-tourism at its finest—a real escape to nature and a sustainable, traditional way of life far removed from the commercial hordes elsewhere.
