Rich in a thousand-year-old culture which whispers its memories in our ears, Crete emerges like a brushstroke on the turquoise waters of the southern Aegean Sea, facing the Libyan coast.
More populated on the north coast where are the main cities, it shelters, in the southern part, small still preserved paradises, and havens of peace on the craggy mountains of its wild hinterland.
Dream beaches, water sports, hiking, history, culture, gastronomy, hospitality and sharing, Crete is an endearing island that one never tires of discovering.
Our top 10 family accommodation.
The North from West to East
Elia Traditional Hotel & Spa,
in the shade of the oldest olive tree in the world
Elia Traditional Hotel & Spa, an
ecofriendly
property
in the heart of nature.
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44 km from Chania airport, Elia, "the olive tree" in Greek, celebrates a gnarled ancestor more than 1000 years old who is 5 minutes from the hotel, on foot or by back. donkey for small travelers.
Close to the small Venetian port of Chania, this
ecofriendly
property
in the heart of nature, combines relaxation with regional riches.
7 km from Kolymvari beach, 9 rooms for 3 or 4 people in pastel tones, each dedicated to the tree from which it bears the name, view of the bay from the flowered terraces, gourmet breakfast, family swimming pool, spa and massage therapy, ideal for a healthy stay in all serenity.
Elia is also the starting point for more than 50 hikes, adventures to appreciate the beauties of the country that Yiorgos, the owner of the place, is happy to share with his visitors.
The room to book:
Elia "the olive tree" with its large veranda and its plunging view of the sea, or Amygdalia "the almond tree", more spacious with a view of the surrounding nature.
The price:
150 € for 3 people, 160 € for 4 people, breakfast included.
Elia Traditional Hotel & Spa
,
Ano Vouvès, Chania 73006 Crete.
Phone.
: +30 69 32 45 44 64.
East of Chania
Vamos Village, a certified responsible tourism village
Vamos Village, 15 traditional buildings with old-world charm in stone and cypress wood.
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15 traditional buildings with old-world charm in stone and cypress wood which combine authenticity and modern comfort in an eco-responsible spirit. The concept of this initiative in associative management: to live to the rhythm of a village around which are scattered the houses, with or without swimming pool, from 4 to 10 people. On the program and with the family: cooking lessons, hikes, botanical getaways, visits to local producers, discovery of Cretan flavors and seasonal agricultural activities. Elena, Magda, Theano and George who manage the tourist side of the village also organize activities in the area: scuba diving, horse riding, boat rental, sea trips and snorkeling, excursions to the lagoon of Balos, hiking to the gorges of Samaria.The region is rich in sites to discover and the most beautiful beaches of Crete are only ten kilometers away.
The villa to book:
"Iro", the mansion with imposing architecture renovated with charm and elegance, with a deep blue swimming pool and a view of the white mountain.
The price:
100 € per villa for 3 or 4 people without swimming pool or communal swimming pool;
150 € with private pool.
Vamos Village, Vamos Apokoronou, Chania, 73008 Crete.
Phone.
: +30 282 50 22 190.
Halfway between Rethymon and Heraklion
Enagron, greenery, calm and pleasure
Enagron, a perfect place to recharge the batteries.
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Fancy a massage at dawn when the sun appears between the hilly sides of Mount Psiloroti where the cave of Zeus is located? 46 km from Rethymno and 48 km from Heraklion airport, this is the ideal place to recharge your batteries. 32 studios or apartments with one or two bedrooms which blend perfectly into the landscape, a restaurant with Cretan specialties, a tavern, stone terraces, a swimming pool and, everywhere, a breathtaking view of the mountain. Here, as a family, we participate in cooking or bread-kneading workshops, we learn how to make wine, cheese or olive oil, we discover the flora and fauna on hiking trails or along historical or cultural themed routes. For families with teenagers,climbing and mountain biking trails (available on site). And for moments of relaxation: spa and massage therapy in a breathtaking setting. Ideal for disconnecting from daily stress and recharging your batteries.
The room to book:
studios 83 or 84 for 2 to 3 people with a breathtaking view of the valley, or apartment 52 with its view of the swimming pool and the mountain in the background.
The price:
132 € for a studio;
between € 145 and € 175 for an apartment with two bedrooms.
Enagron, Axos Mylopotamou, 740 51 Crete.
Phone.
: + 30 283 40 61 611.
South-east of Heraklion
Arodamos, farm stay to the delight of children
In the middle of a huge orchard, 6 individual houses for 4 to 6 people.
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An almost self-sufficient experience in the heart of a geopark of the Natura 2000 network, at an altitude of 1100 m, on the Livadi plateau. 42 km from Heraklion, the capital of the island which bears the name of the famous hero of the 12 labors and which houses the archaeological site of Knossos, Guesthouse Arodamos cultivates the ancestral tradition of agriculture and animal husbandry. At Irini and Yannis everything is thought about nature and recycling. In the middle of a huge orchard, 6 individual houses for 4 to 6 people, a restaurant, a swimming pool and common rooms for moments of meeting and sharing. For children a playground, farm animals and trails to roam free, for teens archery and mountain biking courses, and a whole range of activities to enjoy with the family,most offered to residents just for the happiness of doing together. Cooking with Irini, threshing wheat, making soap, kneading bread, climbing or hiking, a paradise for lovers of the essential.
The house to book:
one of the maisonettes above the swimming pool with a view of Mount Psiloriti from the terrace.
The price:
80 € per night for 3 to 4 people.
Arodamos, Livadi, Kroussona, Heraklion 700 01 Crete.
Phone.
: + 281 11 03 269.
Heading east, closer to the coast
Milatos, agritourism and seaside
Half hotel, half guest house, here there are 12 apartments for 3 or 4 people.
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An address run by two French women, Alice and Kat, the project managers since 2017 of this lovingly furnished and decorated complex to make you feel at home. Simply. Half hotel, half guest house, an original creation of 12 apartments for 3 or 4 people called by their first name in complete privacy. Milatos is a wonderful combination of countryside, scrubland and serenity. At the disposal of the traveler, beaches as far as the eye can see, but also a whole range of hikes to meet exceptional people: the cheesemonger, the botanist, the wine or olive oil producer, the beekeeper, the bronze craftsman, the Cretan art of living at hand and in French, because Kat takes care of the translation. Additional pleasure, Alice and Kat offer this summer to sail aboarda 12-meter sailboat chartered especially for a day, or even more, bound for one of the 15 desert islets that laze offshore.
The room to be reserved:
“Orphéas” on the second floor with its two balconies and its very colorful decoration on the theme of exotic Cretan fruits, or “Maria” and its Cycladic atmosphere in white and blue.
The price: Between 90 € and 100 € per night for 3 or 4 people.
Milatos village, Lassithi, 72400 Crete, Tel.
: + 30 69 45 63 69 53.
In the bay of Mirabello, near Agios Nikolaos
Daios Cove, the 5-star waterfront resort
To blend in with its rural surroundings, each building has been erected with hand-cut stone from the rock of the property.
Daios Cove / Press photo
Luxury and charming club hotel built on a terrace above the sea with a funicular leading to a private beach below. Unique in Crete. A wide choice of rooms, suites or villas with or without private swimming pool, all equipped with Cocomat bedding, luxury
made in Greece
in terms of bedding. Six restaurants and bars, including one on the beach, a spa where you can relax in the hands of master healers, several swimming pools, one of which has an infinity edge. We love the space reserved for children with many activities including a nursery for babies from 4 months old, a kid-club from 4 to 12 years old, a babysitting service and an incredible range of festivities to enjoy a holiday in family. The hotel also offers excursions to surrounding tourist sites as well as private boat cruises. Sail to the islet of Spinalonga surrounded by its Venetian fortress, or to one of the secluded beaches of which your skipper for a day knows all the secrets, and let the charm operate.
The room to book:
"Wellness villa", a villa for 4 people with 2 bedrooms, a private swimming pool, sea view and jacuzzi.
The price
: 1775 euros per family suite for an
all-inclusive
stay
;
2607 euros for a 2 bedroom villa with swimming pool for 4 to 5 people.
Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas, Vathi, Agios Nikolaos, 7200 Crete.
Phone.
: +30 284 18 88 019.
The eastern coast, surf and palm trees
Lithos, near the village of Xérokampos
In Lithos, the 4 individual houses can each accommodate 4 people.
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For windsurfing enthusiasts, in the east of the island where the winds meet, a stay as a poetic parenthesis to shine as you wish in the eastern part of Crete. 4 individual houses that can accommodate 4 people, designed as bewitching artistic universes on the themes of the sun, the wind or the moon. Cut stone on the facade, antique furniture and traditional handcrafted objects down to the smallest detail of the interior decoration combine to create deeply exotic atmospheres. 20 minutes from the hotel, Kouréménos beach, famous for its surf spot and, since Lithos also provides bicycles, why not let yourself be tempted by a stroll to the famous Vaï beach and its legendary palm grove? Unlessopt for a mini-cruise to the deserted islets that can be seen in the distance. An à la carte stay according to your desires. The ideal place to put down your suitcases and fall asleep in the arms of Morphée nestled in dreamy bedding that has just been renovated.
The house to reserve:
"Selini", the moon, it is dedicated to the star of the night.
The price: 150 € per night for 3 people, 15 € per additional bed.
Lithos, traditional Guest House, Xerokampos, 72300 Crete.
Phone.
: +30 69 82 95 40 95. info@lithoshouses.gr
At the central point of the south coast of the island
Palazzo Greco
,
luxury villas and serenity
"Myrtus" one of the 2 bedroom villas, with its swimming pool and stunning views over the whole area.
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Named Greco in homage to the painter, this newly built hotel complex is an hour's drive south of Rethymno or Heraklion. The 12 villas of 1 to 2 bedrooms for 4 to 6 people are completely independent and each bears the name of a traditional plant from Crete. The Mediterranean architecture in stone and wood of the whole blends perfectly with the surrounding nature and everything contributes to create a cozy and harmonious atmosphere with sea view, garden, private swimming pool and modern interior fittings. A reception service open from 8 am to 10 pm helps to organize your stay and offers a breakfast or a daily special to take away. 4 km away, the small town of Aghia Galini, the aptly named “Holy Serenity” in Greek, with its microscopic port,its waterfront taverns, its equipped beaches, Beach bars and pedal boats, its crystal-clear waters and its atmosphere of a small, carefree and relaxing seaside town.
The villa to book:
"Myrtus" one of the 2 bedroom villas a little out of the way which enjoys a larger outdoor space and stunning views over the entire region.
The price:
200 € per night for 4 people;
250 € for 6 people.
Palazzo Greco Villas, Ethniki Odos Faistou Agias Galinis, 740 56, Crete.
Phone.
: +30 69 48 82 88 04.
In the South-West Cape, Paléochora, like an air of Saint-Tropez
Lissos, the charm of one end of the world with ease
Lissos is a family pension hotel run by a French Greek couple.
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A taste of adventure in a little corner of paradise still intact. A rendezvous for hikers and other nature lovers, on the route of the European trail E4 which crosses the island from west to east. Lissos is an endearing guesthouse, run by Manolis and his French wife Mylène, both seasoned walkers and connoisseurs of the region's trails. 11 studios for 2 people, 3 bedrooms for 3, and a scent of the end of the world, at the end of a small peninsula bordered by dream beaches, in Paléochora, a fishing village turned seaside resort where we like to come back from year to year. Simplicity, friendly atmosphere, unforgettable baths in the turquoise waters of the 12 surrounding beaches, lazing on golden sand, pebbles, or pink sand of the very famous bay of Elafonissi. Unlessopt for one of the many land or sea excursions offered by the region. From Paleochora, it is also possible to continue your journey to Gavdos, the southernmost islet in Europe.
The room to book:
the studio combination for parents, room for children, it is very popular.
The price:
47 € for the studio;
55 euros per room for 3 people.
Lissos, Paleochora, facing the sea, Crete.
Phone.
: + 30 282 30 41 122.
The western part of the island, near Chania the Venetian
Milia Mountain Retreat, a dream retreat to disconnect
Here, nature reigns supreme amidst sumptuous vegetation.
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A unique haven of peace where time stands still, an experience to be lived absolutely. Since the 15th century, the hamlet of Milia has been hiding in its green setting at the end of the road, in the province of Kissamos, at an altitude of 550m, at the foot of Mount Psilokefali. Tassos and Yorgos, the owners who restored the place in 1982, make it their duty to cultivate this jewel of calm and greenery today registered in the NATURA 2000 network. 15 rooms including 2 family rooms for 4 to 5 people arranged in an amphitheater in hillside, and the feeling of staying in a sanctuary dedicated to nature. Rustic atmosphere, candlelit dinner on the terrace, exclusively local products, cooking workshops, musical evenings, hikes with or without a guide, visits to craft workshops,discovery of know-how that is lost in the mists of time, sharing of exceptional human experiences. Here, nature reigns supreme in the midst of sumptuous vegetation in a silence that nothing disturbs. It is difficult to understand that the bustle of the tourist beaches is barely 45 minutes away because, here, time passes differently and with delight.
The room to book:
one of the two family rooms in the shade of eucalyptus, chestnut trees and sumptuous blue pines.
The price: 135 € per room for 3 people;
from 180 to 185 € for 4 or 5 people, breakfast included.
Milia, Vlatos, Kissamos, Chania, 73012, Crete.
Phone.
: +30 69 45 75 37 43.
