In a nutshell
- We cover Crete hotels across several articles — and this is where it all comes together: our definitive best-of with the 14 best hotels in Crete across 7 different categories.
- Every single pick offers genuinely great value for money and an excellent location — often right in the best areas to stay in Crete.
- Want to go deeper on a specific category? Check out our dedicated articles: Crete beachfront hotels, Crete boutique hotels, family hotels in Crete, and adults-only hotels in Crete.
The Best Beachfront Hotels in Crete
For a summer vacation, beachfront hotels are among the most popular places to stay in Crete — and honestly, they’re our absolute top picks. Here are our two favorite small hotels in Crete with direct beach access.
Pyrgos Blue
The Pyrgos Blue is our absolute best-value pick if you want a small hotel in Crete right on the beach. Even in the height of summer, you’ll pay only about 150 euros for a suite with a partial ocean view.
That definitely puts it among the best hotels in Crete. The Pyrgos Blue is a truly small beach hotel with just 15 rooms, all super modern, bright, and decorated in the popular boho style.
The hotel is located in northeastern Crete in Malia, one of the best areas to stay in Crete — especially if you love being right in the middle of the action and want to explore the eastern part of the island.
There is one downside, though. The beach here is quite rocky. On the bright side, the pool is really large and absolutely beautiful. Breakfast isn’t included in the price, but the hotel has a very good restaurant.
Vergina Beach Hotel
The Vergina Beach Hotel is without a doubt one of the most beloved hotels in Crete. For us, it’s a true dream hotel, sitting right on a long, private sandy beach in western Crete.
It’s a great option if you want a small beach hotel with a sandy beach and are willing to spend a little more. During peak season the hotel isn’t the cheapest, but in the off-season you can snag a real deal.
The 29 rooms at the Vergina Beach are modern, minimalist, and tastefully decorated. There are also lovely apartments if you’re looking for a small beach hotel with kids in Crete.
We also really love the location in Agia Marina — it’s a great base. You can be in Chania in just 20 minutes. A minimum stay of four nights is required, and you can add breakfast for a small fee.
The Best Boutique Hotels in Crete
Boutique hotels are definitely among the best hotels in Crete. With their individual designs, they’re some of the most beautiful places to stay on the island. Here are our two favorites at the best prices.
Nima Boutique Hotel
If you’re drawn to a hotel with a distinctive and beautiful design, we highly recommend the Nima Boutique Hotel. For us, it’s the best boutique hotel in Crete.
This small family-run hotel has just 24 rooms, designed in a modern and very elegant style. Some even have a small private pool — how cool is that!
The location in northern Crete between Rethymno and Chania is perfect for exploring the most beautiful sights in Crete. And every morning you’ll be fueled up with a truly delicious breakfast.
Best of all: the Nima Boutique Hotel offers genuinely great value for money. In summer, you can stay here for under 200 euros, and in the off-season you’ll pay even half that.
Nerea Boutique Hotel
Looking for a beautiful hotel in the south? Then you absolutely have to check out the Nerea Boutique Hotel. A wonderful boho hotel in Crete with 12 rooms and suites.
It’s one of the most beautiful hotels in Crete, and there’s a lot to love. Above all, the clean boho design that runs consistently throughout the entire property.
The location is a real under-the-radar find. The town of Plakias is absolutely beautiful and very easy to reach by car. Perfect if you want plenty of peace and quiet by the sea, but also want to do some sightseeing from time to time.
The prices are excellent too. During the best time to visit Crete, you’ll pay just 150 euros for two people. You do need to stay at least two nights, and breakfast is not included. Still, for us it’s one of the best hotels in Crete.
The Most Beautiful All-Inclusive Hotels in Crete
All-inclusive is super popular in Crete — but not every hotel actually delivers. That’s why we’re sharing the two best all-inclusive hotels in Crete, with truly great food at a fair price.
The Syntopia Hotel
Does a real vacation mean all-inclusive for you? We totally get it. One of Crete’s best all-inclusive hotels is definitely The Syntopia Hotel. The value for money here is spot on.
First things first: the food is genuinely delicious and really varied for an all-inclusive hotel. Expect fish, seafood, meat, and always plenty of vegetarian options.
We also really love the style. The rooms are designed in a beautiful boho style with great attention to detail, and the large pool complex with three pools is seriously impressive.
The location in Adelianos is great for a mix of sightseeing and relaxation, and the hotel is adults only. Many great excursions in Crete also start from here — making it a wonderful hotel in Crete for couples. In the off-season you’ll pay around 350 euros for two people, more in summer.
Stella Village Seaside Hotel
The Stella Village Seaside Hotel in northern Crete is another top all-inclusive pick. The food is simply excellent and the variety is genuinely impressive.
Besides the main restaurant, there’s also the smaller Mediterra Restaurant, where the atmosphere is a bit more relaxed — especially nice if you’re traveling as a couple. Because the Stella Village Seaside is very popular with families.
No wonder — the hotel has an awesome water park and offers tons of activities for kids (and adults too). There’s also a private sandy beach, which is amazing.
The rooms are modern with a beautiful, minimalist design. Especially in the off-season, the price is unbeatable — you can get a double room for under 200 euros. With two kids, you won’t pay much more.
Book Stella Village Seaside Hotel
The Best Family Hotels in Crete
Crete is a fantastic destination for a vacation with the whole family, and the selection of family hotels in Crete keeps growing. Here are our two top family hotels in Crete at the best prices.
Meropi Hotel
If you’re planning a family vacation in Crete especially in summer, we recommend the Meropi Hotel. The price is simply unbeatable.
In summer, two adults with two children can stay here for under 150 euros per night — that’s genuinely rare. In return, you get three really fun water slides and a lovely small children’s pool with lots of water toys.
You can choose between a family room and an apartment. Our favorite is the bright and modern family room. Breakfast is always included, and for an additional fee you can add half board or even all-inclusive.
The one downside is the location: the Meropi Hotel sits right in the middle of Malia. It’s a nice enough town, but very popular with young party-goers, and the beach isn’t the prettiest either. At that price, though, it’s still one of the best hotels in Crete for families.
Stefan Village Hotel
Would you rather stay in western Crete with your kids? Then the Stefan Village Hotel in Agia Marina is our recommendation. No kids’ club, but it has everything else you need.
The Stefan Village is a small hotel with just 16 rooms and apartments, designed in a very minimalist and super family-friendly style. For meals, you can choose between breakfast and all-inclusive.
Standout features include the three colorful water slides, the small children’s pool, and the shaded playground. And the Agia Marina beach is just a five-minute walk away — for us, one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete.
Prices vary quite a bit. In summer you should expect around 300 euros per night, while in the off-season you’ll often pay just half that. A real hidden gem among family hotels in Crete.
Book Stefan Village Hotel
The Best Adults-Only Hotels in Crete
Adults-only hotels are the best hotels in Crete for couples or close friends who want even more peace and quiet. If you’re looking for accommodation for a relaxing getaway for two, here are two great options.
Aqua Blu by Checkin
The Aqua Blu is a truly beautiful adults-only hotel in Crete and our absolute best-value pick in this category. You’ll pay between 95 and 200 euros per night.
It’s a small hotel with 16 rooms that are super modern, minimalist, and bright. We especially love the many wood accents and the beautiful boho style throughout.
Another highlight is the breakfast, which you customize each evening. The next morning, your selections are served freshly prepared — seriously lovely!
This adults-only hotel is especially great if you’re craving real peace and quiet. The small village of Anissares in northeastern Crete is a bit off the beaten path, with a small rocky beach nearby. A rental car makes it easy to get anywhere quickly.
Bali Diamond
Another truly beautiful adults-only hotel sits right in the heart of the popular resort town of Bali, one of the most beautiful places in Crete. The Bali Diamond is a top hotel recommendation in Crete.
With only 16 rooms, it has a very welcoming, intimate feel. Built into a hillside right in the stunning Bali Bay — one of the most breathtaking bays in Crete — you get a spectacular sea view from almost every room.
The design is super modern and the rooms are bright and minimalist. The beautiful pool area, also overlooking the bay, is an absolute highlight.
The location in Bali makes it a great base for wonderful activities in Crete. In peak season you’ll pay a maximum of 190 euros per night, usually less. In the off-season, prices drop to 80 euros for two people. Amazing!
Great Budget Hotels in Crete
Traveling on a tight budget? No problem! Our roundup of the best hotels in Crete wouldn’t be complete without some affordable options. Here are two genuinely wallet-friendly picks.
Gorgona Hotel
You can definitely stay in Crete on a budget — even in Bali. One truly great affordable option is the Gorgona Hotel, and it earns its place among Crete’s best hotels for more than just the price.
The Greek charm of the Gorgona Hotel is one of a kind. The taverna attached to the hotel is beautifully designed and completely shaded by trees — a great spot to sit back and enjoy a glass of wine.
The rooms in this family-run hotel are simple and unpretentious. There’s a large, lovely pool and the beach is just a three-minute walk away. Really great!
The price is equally impressive. In summer, you’ll usually pay no more than 100 euros for a double room — often even less. Outside of peak season, it’s around just 55 euros. Breakfast is available for a small extra charge.
Mirage Studios
Most budget accommodations can be found around Malia in the northeast. Our absolute heartfelt recommendation is the Mirage Studios in Malia — this is actually where we stayed during our Crete vacation.
The rooms are on the simpler side, but still charming and full of little touches. We also love the small kitchenette — you can make your own breakfast there, or add one for 10 euros.
Our absolute highlight, though, is the great, large pool and the comfortable loungers. It’s the perfect place to truly unwind. And the beers and cocktails at the bar are affordable and really delicious.
The price is unbeatable. Even in peak season you’ll only pay 75 euros for a double room, and in the off-season sometimes just 38 euros. The property also has some really nice triple rooms. One of the top budget stays in Crete!
The Best Luxury Hotels in Crete
Looking for the finest luxury hotels in Crete? We’ve got you covered. Here are the two absolute standout 5-star hotels in Crete — pure luxury, and for what you get, the prices are genuinely great.
Creta Maris Resort
You can have a truly luxurious vacation in Crete where the value for money is still excellent. One of the most beautiful 5-star hotels in Crete is the Creta Maris Resort.
The hotel really does have something for everyone. Adults have access to around three private pools without children. For the little ones, there are fun water slides and a great kids’ program. The location in Hersonissos is perfect for exploring northeastern Crete, and some really great boat tours in Crete depart from here too.
For everyone, there’s a truly fantastic all-inclusive offering — you’ll be spoiled for choice between several upscale restaurants, delicious snacks, and fresh juice stations.
In summer, the prices at the Creta Maris Resort are honestly a bit steep. But in the off-season, you can sometimes find a double room for under 250 euros — really great!
Seaside A Lifestyle Resort
Another one-of-a-kind luxury hotel in Crete is the Seaside A Lifestyle Resort, which absolutely belongs among the best hotels in Crete. Everything about this hotel is truly breathtaking. This hotel in Crete has genuinely earned its 5 stars.
The Seaside A Lifestyle Resort is built on a cliff right at the water’s edge. You can take in the panorama from the infinity pool or from some of the stunning rooms.
We absolutely love the elegant design and the beautiful boho décor that runs throughout the entire hotel. Highlights also include the delicious all-inclusive food and complimentary offerings like yoga and Pilates.
On top of all that, the value for money is excellent. If you’re not traveling during peak season, you can stay at the Seaside A Lifestyle Resort for under 250 euros. In many months, though, it tends to be more expensive.
