Review of Elounda Bay Palace, by Christopher Deliso

The sister hotel of landmark Cretan resort Elounda Beach, luxury hotel Elounda Bay has a slightly more laid-back atmosphere while offering the same level of service, room quality and some innovative fine dining choices. Elounda Bay caters to guests of all ages, including young couples and families. After dark, the waterfront perimeter is illuminated to great effect by underwater lights.

Although one is indeed in a resort, at Elounda Bay one feels a sense of refined relaxation, due to the protected cove position flanked by its undeveloped northern border. The luxury hotel is located just below the coastal road connecting Agios Nikolaos, the tourism center of eastern Crete (9 km to the south) and Elounda (2 km to the north). Beyond the nightlife and other attractions offered by these tourist towns, untouched Cretan countryside villages and numerous antiquities lie within a close drive and the international airport in Heraklio, Crete's capital city, is only an hour to the west.

The facilities

Since Elounda Bay and its sister luxury hotel Elounda Beach overlap, guests are truly spoiled for choice with a total of 17 restaurants and bars offering a variety of gourmet cuisines, and a well-stocked wine cellar with over 600 labels.

Guests at the luxury hotel can enjoy a facial, massage or body wrap at the spa, or a walk through the 20 km of extensive gardens in which the hotel is set. Water sports and a fitness centre are also among the facilities available for active guests. Children will love the children's animation program and parents will appreciate the luxury hotel's babysitting services. The hotel is also perfect for business conferences or banquets with a large conference and banquet room.

The rooms

The 218 rooms at the luxury hotel are categorized depending on factors like size, view, location and pool. Similarly, families can enjoy adjoining bungalows with private pools and lawns. The upper classes of accommodation feature private Jacuzzis, steam shower/hammam, pools and other luxuries. The grand Penthouse Suite is a mansion unto itself. Some plain interiors are also due for a remodeling, which the luxury hotel is currently undertaking in stages.