Exuding sophistication and exclusivity, the 5-star ELOUNDA MARE hotel, located on the island of Zeus, the king of the Greek Gods, has an unrivaled reputation for attentive and personalized service, award-winning restaurants, a variety of great leisure facilities and unique design setting. All this creates an ideal place for the most discerning travelers seeking for a relaxing holiday in a serene and secluded environment.
In 1988, ELOUNDA MARE was honored to become the first member of the prestigious international association Relais & Chateaux in Greece.
Developed on 30,000 m2 of gently sloping land with a private coastline of 300 metres, ELOUNDA MARE, with its whitewashed cottages overlooking the turquoise waters of Mirabello Bay and surrounded by a labyrinth of fragrant gardens, is one of the best places to discover Crete and its legends, monasteries and chapels bequeathed by Byzantine civilization.
It even has its own Greek Orthodox chapel (St. Marina) overlooking the hotel’s private bay, which offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Each place of ELOUNDA MARE is a delight in authentic Cretan architecture and interior design. Traditional Greek snowy-white surfaces blend harmoniously with gray and brown stone walls and tiles, surrounded by carob and olive trees.
The interior of the hotel is decorated exclusively with antique works of folk art — tapestries and paintings, chests, carpets, household items, mantelpieces and exquisite Cretan marble in all salons and halls.
Guests are welcomed in the main building of the hotel with a glass of sparkling wine.
Here, in the hotel lobby, during the day you can relax in the Karavia bar, where piano music is also played in the evenings, or seat in the living room located next to the bar.
A swimming pool for adults and children with sea water, a playroom for young visitors to the hotel, a tennis table and a gym are located on the territory of the hotel.
And of course, hotel’s own beach with sun loungers and beach service, where you can try scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing, water skiing and other sea sports. There is also a sauna, a steam bath and a massage room next to the beach.
“Our company Elounda SA, led by the owners of the hotel, the Kokotos family, makes every effort to ensure that our guests are as comfortable and varied as possible, — says Harry Maranghides, ELOUNDA MARE Hotel Manager. — Our staff is well trained, a large number of employees have been with us for many years, so they are well versed in the details of the personalized service we offer.
Great attention is also paid to maintaining the environment in a pristine state and managing water resources, wastewater treatment, waste recycling, energy conservation, the use of only environmentally friendly materials and food — all these are the main aspects of our well-being philosophy. For this we have been awarded the European Blue Flag, which we have been holding for the past few years, and are very proud of it.”
SUITES, BUNGALOWS & VILLAS
Spacious and cozy rooms and suites located in the main building overlook the sea and have a balcony or terrace.
Suites, bungalows and villas, located in different parts of the hotel, have one or more bedrooms, a private pool with a seating area, as well as magnificent panoramic views of the Aegean Sea.
All rooms are made with maximum comfort and equipped with the most necessary accessories for a better holiday.
Luxurious marble bathrooms with an Airbath bathtub and walk-in shower are provided with audio system, telephone, makeup/shaving mirror, heated towel rail, bathrobes, slippers and signature Greek brand Apivita toiletries.
CULINARY JOURNEY
The Deck Restaurant is located in the main building of the hotel and is a perfect place to start the day with stunning sea views.
A deluxe buffet and à la carte breakfast, filled with local Cretan delicacies, is served here from 07:00 to 10:30 every morning.
In the evenings, it offers a five-course dinner or an à la carte menu with local and international dishes.
The Yacht Club Restaurant, perched on a dramatic edge and overlooking the beach below, serves lunch and dinner with a varied Greek full-flavoured menu, composed mainly of local seafood and products of the land, prepared in traditional ways.
The restaurant is awarded with the “top notch award” as one of the best restaurants in Greece.
Every week the restaurant hosts a “Fisherman’s Night” with a rich seafood buffet and daily catch.
Citations from the Menu:
– White fish roe dip “tarama” with crunchy paprika-flavoured pita bread
– Fried squid with caper mayonnaise
– Greek salad
– Chicken fillet skewer with “pita” bread, french fries and yoghurt sauce
The drink offer includes refreshing cocktails, Greek and international wines.
Nestled around an ancient millstone in a flowering garden above the water, the Old Mill Gourmet Restaurant has a timeless character that has always attracted true gourmets and has repeatedly won Toque d’Or awards.
It offers innovative Cretan fusion cuisine with a rich wine list of international and local labels.
In the Photo: Green salad with fig vinaigrette, greek truffle, carob and sour cream; Shrimps with strawberry gazpacho, feta cream, lemon slices and vanilla
ELOUNDA MARE guests also have access to other restaurants in the sister hotels Porto Elounda GOLF & SPA RESORT and Elounda Peninsula ALL SUITE HOTEL, which can be easily reached by a transfer operating between the hotels, easily available to be requested at the reception.
The world-famous Il Borro Tuscan Bistro, located in an amazing waterfront location at Porto Elounda GOLF & SPA RESORT, welcomes guests with mouth-watering authentic flavors of Tuscany.
Paired with incredible wines from around the world, including the famous Il Borro own winery, originally from an organic estate in the Tuscan countryside, it creates an atmospheric journey to the land of Italy.
Citations from the Menu:
– Insalata Caprese — Fresh tomato, buffalo mozzarella, basil, oregano and EVO oil
– Carpaccio di manzo — Chianina beef carpaccio, lettuce, parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar and mustard
– Branzino al sale con verdure miste — Local sea bass baked in aromatic sea salt, roasted vegetable
Japanese cuisine lovers should definitely head to Sumosan Restaurant, a stunning place located along the waterfront with breathtaking sea views.
Renowned in many of the world’s leading cities, the award-winning contemporary Japanese restaurant is an elegant upgrade to Japanese cuisine and is a favorite of gourmets and those looking for a truly atmospheric dining experience.
Here the guest will find a genuine selection of Japanese delicacies, complemented by an interesting selection of Asian-inspired cocktails, wines and sake.
Citations from the Menu:
– Assorted Sashimi
– Crispy Sushi Rice Pizza with Salmon Furikake
– Traditional Japanese Motchi ice cream
SIX SENSES SPA & WELLNESS
The award-winning, state-of-the-art Six Senses Spa, located within the Porto Elounda GOLF & SPA RESORT and covering an area of 2200 m2, will be an excellent place to relax and rejuvenate the body.
Spa offers a layered approach that unites a pioneering spirit with treatments, packages, retreats and medical approaches that go beyond the ordinary.
Here everyone will find the most suitable option for themselves: body and face massage, baby programs, thalassotherapy pool and thermal complex, yoga classes and individual strength training with a professional trainer.
The Six Senses Spa brand boutique, located next to the reception, showcases Biologique Recherche cosmetics, also used in facial treatments, as well as organic teas, jams, clothes and accessories that can be purchased here.
Harry Maranghides: “Every year we improve and expand our capabilities with our sister hotels. last year we started our collaboration with Il Borro Tuscan Bistro and this year with Sumosan Restaurant. Six Senses Spa has been our valued collaborator since 2006 with their first European Spa at Porto Elounda. This way, the intimacy of our Relais & Châteaux property is combined with various activities in our sister properties. We continue to improve our overall services and amenities, thereby maintaining our excellent reputation.”
ELOUNDA MARE is open from April to October. It is located 66 km from Heraklion International Airport, 7 km from the town of Agios Nikolaos and 2 km from the village of Elounda.
ELOUNDA MARE Relais & Châteaux
Address: 72053 – Elounda – Crete – Greece
Contacts: mare@elounda-sa.com; elounda@relaischateaux.com
+30 28410 68200
+30 28410 68012
Instagram: @eloundamare
Text: Marina Timo
Photo courtesy: EATWEEKGUIDE
