Elounda Mare Relais & Chateaux Hotel

Timing is everything. We stayed in this hotel during the shoulder season when it was 5 days from closing down for the season. They upgraded us from a 1 bedroom suite to a 2 bedroom suite. It was incredible. I was blown away with the fantastic private pool, the balcony view and the amazing room. They also had air condition that worked really well. Keep in mind, I was there end of October so the AC was not really needed.

I found the staff extremely helpful. The breakfast was good. Not anything super amazing, but plentiful and full of variety. Plus I could make my own tea which made me happy.

The bottle of wine they gave us was delicious. Their olives were divine. The restaurant was okay for some food and really good for some dishes. The Yacht club food was absolutely fabulous for me.

Their beach was lovely and since there was no one there in the morning until 10:30 AM, I felt like I was on a private beach. They have a dive shop and the water is perfectly clear.

I really enjoyed my time here and I have to remind people the timing. End of October is wonderful of you can handle the cold.

The location and views are spectacular. The staff was pleasant and helpful. I enjoyed the quiet and the grounds are beautifully kept.

A resort hotel that has managed to bag one of the best spots. Fantastic views over Mirabello Bay, lovely little sandy beach and rocky promontory with more than enough loungers to go round. Beautifully kept grounds. If you want space and beautifully kept grounds with flowers and peace this is perfect. The sea is so clear we able to see fish with just goggles. Some of our party were upgraded to a modern villa and its bathrooms and infinity pool would compete with anywhere. The others stayed in a bungalow that was perhaps a little outdated and could be redesigned to make better use of the views but you still enjoy all the facilities and that amazing setting.

We didn't eat in the hotel apart from breakfast which was good although not the best of the holiday. We took advantage of the tavernas in Elounda and Agios Nickolas.

Actually, this is just one of the hotels in the entire complex. Unfortunately, guests from the other hotels can use the pool and have the communal breakfast, which can be a bit confusing and noisy. Overall, the hotel could use some renovation; you can feel the passage of time in the rooms. The service is very good, and the view is superb. The pool is inviting for activities but less so for relaxation. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the water is too cold. It was more comfortable to swim in the sea than in the pool. The hotel is slightly off the beaten path, so having a car is recommended.

The balcony furniture is terribly uncomfortable :(
Important note: they could use someone to inform guests about the location of the pool towels or make it more visible. During my week-long stay, I was asked about the towel's location about 20 times.

Amazing and so kind and helpful people
Such a warm hospitality
Very classic and beautiful hotel
Thank you all very much
Highly recommended

I've edited this review since I am more content with it now.

Rooms:
The rooms have nice bathrooms. However, the mattress was a little hard and the floor wasn't even sweeped before we entered. The decor looks very old. Although the view is incredible and our balcony was pretty big. Another plus is the tablet. You can look of menus, activities, a map, and you can make reservations for dinner so you don't have to run down to the reception everytime.

Service: The service was great, although you shouldn't expect the staff to speak perfect English. Sometimes they just stopped talking to you just to shout something in Greek to the other staff, which was a little odd. Don't give your transfer driver in the hotel any tip, if you do he's going to expect a tip from you every ride you're going to take. Other than that, they obviously try to do their best. Even the cleaning staff is friendly.

Food: The food was incredible. It's annoying that most of the restaurants aren't located near the actual hotel - in most cases you will have to transfer to their other hotels close by. The buffet for breakfast could have been larger, but it's fine. The restaurants that provide dinner are really good, but for the price you pay (at least 19€ and more for Pasta, around 150€ for Steak, everything else is between 30-50€) you shouldn't expect large portions. Sometimes you will have to wait for a long time, if the restaurant is full. But the food tastes fresh and the waiters usually make sure to bring you some bread and all that But like I said, depending on what you order the prices are worth it. Literally had the best chicken of my life here! And the atmosphere in all of the restaurants is very unique!

Facility:
Pool is okay-ish. It kinda smells weird. The pool in their other facility (that you can also use) is way better but you always have to walk or drive there. (there's a free transfer service.) The beach is very small and it gets crowded pretty quickly in the afternoon, but at least it's clean. There's also a section where the beach is made out of rocks. I wouldn't recommend going to that section with kids because the paths are small, dangerous (right next to a little cliff) and there's no railing. But for adults that just want to take a nice swim it's definitely good enough and it's usually pretty empty.

Comparison between Price and Services:
For the price you pay, it's okay-ish. Of course Crete is a tourist magnet, so it's to be expected. You could pay half and get a wayyy better experience in (for example) Turkey.

Do I recommend going? Depending on which season, it's worth it if you're ready to spend a lot of money. I wouldn't recommend going during the busy time in the summer season - it's crowded and more expensive.
If you go slightly before or after it's way better.
We enjoyed our stay but most likely won't be returning, simply because there are better resorts we can visit that offer the same experience for a smaller price. Except the food (We're fine with stuff like Chicken Nuggets and less "fancy" food ;))- If you care about that you should invest here.

He is excellent!