In a nutshell
- We’ve done the research for you and are sharing the 9 best boutique hotels in Crete — each with its own individual style and perfect for a unique vacation in Crete.
- Three of our top places to stay in Crete are in the north. That’s also where you’ll find the Nima Boutique Hotel — our absolute favorite, just 500 meters from the beach and a real bargain in the off-season.
- In the south, we love the Nerea Boutique Hotel — a gorgeous boho pick right by the water. And The Authentic Village Boutique Hotel — also in the south — is the most affordable option on our list.
Nima Boutique Hotel
The Nima Boutique Hotel has everything you could dream of in a boutique hotel stay on Crete. It’s a small, family-run hotel with just 24 rooms, 500 meters from the beach, and delivers genuinely great value for the money.
In summer, you can stay at the Nima Boutique Hotel on Crete for under 200 euros, and in the off-season you’ll pay even half that. The rooms have a modern and very elegant style.
The spread at the exceptional breakfast in this boutique adults-only hotel on Crete is enormous. There’s fresh fruit, avocado, freshly made crêpes, and local spreads like eggplant cream — so delicious!
The location in the village of Kravos, in northern Crete, between Rethymno and Chania, is really great. It’s quiet here and you have an excellent base for sightseeing. That’s what makes the Nima Boutique Hotel our top pick and one of the best hotels on Crete.
Nerea Boutique Hotel
For an even more peaceful seaside location, head to the south of the island. In Plakias you’ll find one of the most beautiful boutique hotels in Crete: the Nerea Boutique Hotel. A truly gorgeous boho hotel on Crete with 12 rooms and suites.
The rooms in the popular boho style give you real beach vibes. When building the hotel in 2022, the owners focused on the traditional construction techniques of Cretan architecture.
The name Nerea is also traditional — it comes from Nereus, the sea deity of ancient Greece. And the sea isn’t far away at all: from the boutique hotel you only have to walk a few steps to the beach.
The one downside: there’s no breakfast at the hotel. But you’ll find plenty of restaurants, beach bars, and shops nearby. Plakias is one of the most beautiful spots on Crete and is very easy to reach by car, making it also great for some sightseeing.
The Authentic Village Boutique Hotel - Adults Only
There’s a second boutique hotel in southern Crete that we really love. The Authentic Village Boutique Hotel is designed like an authentic Greek village — such a cool concept!
The rooms are modern, stylish, and incredibly cozy. No wonder, since the entire hotel was co-designed by local artists, designers, and architects who used traditional materials like stone and wood throughout.
The location in the small village of Sfakia is ideal if you’re after relaxation and quiet beaches — this is an adults-only place, after all. That said, you’ll need to travel a bit to reach the top Crete attractions from here.
Honestly, this is one of our favorite hotels on the island. The only things missing are a pool and breakfast — but there are great tavernas right in the village. And the price is seriously unbeatable: under 120 euros in summer.
Book The Authentic Village Boutique Hotel
The Nest Resort
A great pool, a delicious breakfast, and even dinner included are high on your list? Then The Nest Resort is exactly what you need. For us, it’s one of the best boutique hotels in northern Crete.
The entire property is a dream in beautiful boho style. All 24 rooms are super modern, minimalist, yet full of wonderful details. The real standout, though, is the spa area with a sauna, whirlpool, and even a Turkish steam bath.
This Crete boutique hotel is built into a gentle hillside. From the pool, you have a breathtaking view of the sea. The location near Malia is, for us, one of the best areas to stay on Crete.
The Nest Resort has a very exclusive vibe. Prices are high in summer, but you get a tremendous amount in return. In the off-season, you can score real bargains here. All in all, an incredibly special boho hotel on Crete.
Creta Blue Boutique Hotel
Also located near Malia is Creta Blue, a small, family-run boutique hotel on Crete with 28 rooms. The highlight is the seriously cool infinity pool with a breathtaking panorama over the sea.
Warm hospitality is especially important to the hosts. They want to give their guests a real taste of authentic Greek life — so much so that the family moved from Athens to Crete to fulfill their dream of running their own boutique hotel here.
The wonderful breakfast at Creta Blue is genuinely authentic. Every morning you’ll find a variety of egg dishes, fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, and more. The dinner at the restaurant is a dream as well.
The rooms are very spacious and beautifully designed in a classic boho style. Pricewise, you’re in the upper-middle range — but you get everything you could want from one of the best boutique hotels in Crete.
Book the Creta Blue Boutique Hotel
Manili Boutique Suites & Villas
Another outstanding boutique hotel on Crete is Manili Boutique Suites & Villas, with a unique design and an incredibly stylish interior. The focus here is on relaxation and truly restful sleep.
Unusually for a Crete vacation, this small boutique hotel sits right in the countryside — about 20 minutes south of Heraklion in the village of Archanes, surrounded by mountains. This is where you experience authentic Greek life at its best.
And that’s exactly why we think the location is really special. You’ll find charming cafés, great tavernas, and beautiful hiking trails on your doorstep. Other highlights are very easily accessible by car.
Manili Boutique — with nine suites and three villas — is a truly luxurious place to stay on Crete. The rooms come at a price, but in return you get a one-of-a-kind overnight experience — including a delicious breakfast.
Book Manili Boutique Suites & Villas
Atermono Boutique Resort & Spa
You can also stay in luxury at a boutique hotel in northern Crete. In Platanes you’ll find the Atermono Boutique Resort & Spa. And the best part: this boutique hotel on Crete sits right on a sandy beach.
The rooms are designed in a very chic and elegant boho style. The location near Rethymno is perfect for a beach vacation with some sightseeing — a genuinely great area to stay on Crete.
The prices are on the higher end, but the location is fantastic, a delicious breakfast is included, and there’s a wonderful wellness area. All in all, a great boho hotel on Crete.
You love the direct beachfront location above all else, but the Atermono isn’t quite the right fit? Then check out our guide to the best small hotels with direct beachfront access on Crete — there are some really beautiful boutique options in there too.
Book the Atermono Boutique Resort & Spa
Lagon Life Spirit Boutique Hotel - Adults Only
Another fantastic base on Crete is the area around Chania. This is also where you’ll find Lagon Life Spirit, an adults-only boutique hotel on Crete with 23 rooms — every single one with its own small pool. Really cool!
From your own pool you get what is probably the most stunning vista over all of Chania and the sea. In the evening, you can watch the sunset in complete privacy.
In the morning, the varied and incredibly delicious breakfast is served right on your terrace too. The rooms are bright, super modern, and incredibly stylish.
After a day of exploring, you can unwind in the wellness area. Prices at Lagon Life Spirit are not exactly cheap, but Chania is also one of the priciest regions on Crete.
Theta Boutique Hotel
Looking for a genuine bargain in the off-season in Chania? Meet the Theta Boutique Hotel. With just 10 rooms, it’s the smallest of our nine favorite boutique hotels in Crete.
The Theta is also one of the few hotels on Crete that’s open not just during the best time to visit Crete, but throughout the entire winter. If you want a great boutique hotel on Crete with a sea view for 75 euros in December, this is the place.
You get a location right in the old town of Chania — and yet you can still swim in the sea in the morning, because the hotel has stairs leading directly into the water. Seriously cool!
The rooms are super bright and modern. Due to the old town location, there’s no pool — but you have the sea. There’s also no breakfast or restaurant, so plan to explore the neighborhood for your morning coffee.
