The best hotels in Crete, from family-friendly resorts to mountain retreats

Rugged mountains, miles of beach, historic towns and a distinctive culture – Crete ticks all the boxes for a great European break. You just need to add in a hotel that matches its beauty.

The Minoan civilisation put the island on the map in the Bronze Age, leaving behind ancient palaces, temples and exquisite artworks (don't miss Heraklion's archaeological museum). Much later, colonising Venetians added fortresses and interesting architecture, which means the island is packed with things to see.

The island is not short on natural wonders, either. Massive gorges carve into the mountains at the heart of the island, and there are some truly impressive beaches – both built-up and beautifully wild. The north and east coasts are busiest, the south is much more sleepy; though whatever vibe you're seeking, these are the Crete hotels to know about.

At a glance

There's no shortage of family-friendly all-inclusive resorts in Crete, but this Hersonissos behemoth is a long-standing favourite. By spreading its 680 rooms between a main block and village-style clusters of bungalows, Creta Maris is way less crowded than you might imagine. Families will appreciate the abundance of activities (including an on-site water park) and the convenience of being just 20 minutes from Heraklion airport.

For a more relaxed experience, the adult-only section has its own beach bar, pools and dedicated dining. Need more comforts still? Choose a sea-front room or pool villa for perks such as VIP lounge access and late checkout.

Address: Dimokratias Street, Hersonissos, Crete 700 14

Price: From £216

Read more: Creta Maris, Crete hotel review

Hersonissos's waterfront is lined with touristy Irish pubs, making this a jarring choice for a credible brand such as Cook's Club. But don't be perturbed by its busy main road location: once you step through the shipping container at the entrance to the property, you enter a secret world complete with spa, tattoo parlour and barber shop.

As with other Cook's Club resorts, the central pool has a party atmosphere that appeals to a youthful audience. Plan ahead if you want to catch one of the occasional (and very popular) Cook's Club Sessions, with DJ sets from established and up-and-coming talent.

Address: El. Venizelou 122, Limenas Hersonisos, Crete 700 14

Price: From £78

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Named after the four 19th-century tanneries from which it was transformed, this boutique beauty sits to the east of central Chania, directly on the rocky waterfront. The heritage buildings that make up The Tanneries were painstakingly restored to retain their stone facades, tiled roofs, arched doorways and industrial history. The result – as befits a member of the Design Hotels group – is supremely stylish. There's a spa, a seaside restaurant specialising in Cretan cuisine and ingredients, and just 20 luxurious and spacious suites, all with king-size beds, a colour scheme in natural tones, and marble bathrooms with walk-in showers, plus lovely views across the water to Chania's Venetian fortress.

Address: Vivilaki 19, Chania, Crete 731 33

Price: From £95

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Concerned about your carbon footprint? You'll love super-sustainable Tella Thera in Kissamos, 45 minutes from Chania. As well as a zero-waste kitchen, this nature-inspired boutique retreat is built from local stone, natural wood and other renewable materials. Buildings (including all 20 suites) are planted with green roofs to minimise heat absorption; and the resort is almost entirely powered by solar energy.

Keeping with the theme is an on-site, farm-to-table restaurant featuring locally sourced ingredients. What's more, with Kissamos being the closest big resort to Balos Beach (one of Crete's best), guests can dash here to enjoy the shore before bus-loads of daytrippers arrive.

Address: Kissamos, Crete 73400

Price: From £323

Read more: Best Greek island hotels for sea views and romantic retreats in Crete, Corfu, Mykonos and more

Holidays in Crete don't have to be all about the beach. In Western Crete's White Mountains, this small-scale, off-grid retreat is as far removed as you'll get from a gargantuan all-inclusive. Surrounded by forest and birdsong, the character-filled hideaway was crafted from the ruins of a medieval village that has been carefully rebuilt, restored and brought back to life.

Original elements such as spring-fed water supplies and vegetable gardens have been reinstated and enhanced with solar power and modern conveniences. The stone-built cottages at Milia Mountain Retreat are dressed traditionally but comfortably with period furniture; and the views across the peaks are out of this world.

Address: Milia, Vlatos, Crete 730 12

Price: From £87

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Another inland option is this super-cute hotel near the sleepy hillside village of Ano Vouves. Named after the ancient olive tree that is this village's claim to fame, Elia Hotel & Spa offers 10 spacious, individually decorated rooms in a character-packed, 200-year-old building.

The vibe here is one of relaxation coupled with strong eco credentials, thanks to the use of solar power and thoughtful procurement of every element; from local, organic ingredients in the kitchen to eco-friendly mattresses made from coconut fibres. For such a small property, the spa provides an impressive array of treatments that includes masks, wraps, aromatherapy and sauna.

Address: Ano Vouves, Crete 730 06

Price: From £111

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Back on the north coast, not far beyond Rethymnon, lies this classier-than-average all-inclusive with white-on-white decor. Situated on a prime beachfront plot, this Grecotel has all you need for a fly-and-flop break: stacks of facilities, a seawater pool and a good-sized stretch of sandy shore.

Seven restaurants offer a different option for each day of a week-long stay, and there's heaps to do, from spa treatments and al fresco yoga to kids' club activities. Still not enough? Head off-site to Grecotel Marine Palace, a 15-minute drive away, for access to slides and all-day splashing at its Kingdom of Poseidon Aqua Park.

Address: Pigianos Kampos, Crete 741 50

Price: From £204

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International chain hotels aren't everybody's cup of ouzo, but this seaside property in east coast Agios Nikolaos is a scene-stealer. Overlooking Mirabello Bay, the InterContinental has ultra-modern architecture that gives it a sense of grandeur, plus state-of-the-art amenities for a truly indulgent stay.

A standout here is Aegeo spa, where treatments use natural ingredients such as olive oil and saffron. Local products also feature prominently in the restaurants, both of which are in collaboration with Michelin-starred chef, Nikos Roussos. The 199 rooms and suites are suitably high-end, all with minimalist design, quality furnishings and private balconies, most of which come with sea views.

Address: Akti Koundourou 17, Ag. Nikolaos, Crete 721 00

Price: From £109

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Elounda is perhaps Crete's most desirable summer address. There are some genuinely fancy hotels here (many with hefty price tags); but skip the big brands and aim instead for this chic gem by the beach. As an adult-only, design-led hideaway, Naiades offers relaxed, upmarket stays made all the more enjoyable by the reasonable rates.

Most rooms have at least a partial sea view, service is highly rated and, although the restaurant only serves breakfast, there are plenty of places to eat nearby. It's perfectly placed for day trips to uninhabited Spinalonga islet, immortalised in Victoria Hislop's best-selling novel, The Island.

Address: Tsifliki, Schisma Elountas 0, Ag. Nikolaos, Crete 720 53

Price: From £147

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Crete's south coast, being furthest from the airports, is generally bypassed by tourist hordes – so head here if you're looking for a simple, fuss-free break. A good bet is the village of Agia Galini, which is tucked around a pretty harbour beneath a mountainous backdrop; it lives up to its name too, which translates as “sacred calm”.

At the top of town, furthest from the sea, you'll find Neos Ikaros, which has 31 basic-but-comfortable guest rooms (some of which can accommodate families). It's an ideal launch pad from which to explore the south coast's attractions, which include some truly dramatic limestone gorges.

Address: Agia Galini, Crete 740 56

Price: From £55

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If location is everything, this property scores an instant 10/10 thanks to its position on a dramatic, essentially private Cretan cove. Daios Cove is an hour's drive from Heraklion airport and 15 minutes from Agios Nikolaos, the nearest town (hire a car or reserve private transfers to get here).

Around 160 of the rooms, suites and villas have their own pool and all units have outside space and sea views. There are six great restaurants and bars; whichever you choose, expect quality ingredients and very high standards. The resort's showpiece is its 60-metre swimming pool – tiled with beautiful, petrol-green marble – which appears to hang above the sandy cove. Equally alluring is the 2,500-square-metre, guests-only Kepos wellness centre, staffed by doctors, dieticians and a squadron of exceptional therapists.

Address: Βαθύ, Kritsa 721 00, Greece

Price: From £232

Read more: Daios Cove, Crete, hotel review

The hotels featured in this list have been carefully selected by The Independent's expert travel writer, James Litston, who has a deep knowledge of the Greek Islands. He is the author of The Independent's guides to the best hotels in the Greek islands. Our contributors either live in these locations or visit frequently, ensuring a personal and informed perspective. When picking which hotels to include, they consider their own experience staying in the hotels and evaluate location, facilities, service and all the other details that make for an exceptional stay for all types of traveller.

What currency do I need in Crete?

Greece uses the euro (€).

Best beaches in Crete?

Bone-white Balos, the pink-sanded Elafonisi Beach and the palm-tree fringed Vaï are among some of the best beaches in Crete.

How to get around Crete?

Crete connects its island by a bus network. Hiring a car will give you flexibility, while renting a bike is great for short journeys.

What are the closest islands for island hopping?

One of the best-known islands near Crete is Santorini, known for its whitewashed buildings topped with blue domes and sunsets. Gavdos, Kasos, Karpathos and Rhodes are also nearby.

If you are exploring more islands, our favourite Greek island-hopping routes include the Argo-Saronics that hops between Athens, Poros, Hydra and Spetses; the Cyclades that travels between Santorini, Milos, Sifnos, Serifos, Paros and Mykonos; and the Ionians, which jumps between Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca, Kefalonia and Zakynthos.

For more details, see our guide to the best routes and how to explore Greek culture.

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