Private pools facing crystal clear waters, personal massages by the beach, unique yacht excursions. Grecian island holidays don’t get much better than the recently renovated Elounda Peninsula hotel. The island of Crete already has pristine sandy beaches and dreamy turquoise gentle waves, but the Peninsula, with its isolated protection, grants additional serenity. Amber sunsets falling behind misty mainland Grecian mountains, the tanning warmth from the sun offset by a gentle breeze, and the subtle lull from a calm still bay.
Book
We highly recommend booking a great value holiday with British Airways. From reliable and relaxing flights, beautiful hotels and straight-forward car hire, a 23kg per person baggage allowance and a 24-hour helpline, British Airways has taken the hassle out of holidays, to give you the ultimate peace of mind.
Stay
Elounda offers the charm of Crete, but with the solitude of home. Each suite comes with its own private salt-water pool and stunning view over The Cretan Sea. With the option of living from your suite on room service, or venturing from comfort to comfort, a revitalising stay will quickly become a regular return. With prices from €400 per night for a Junior Suite with Sea View, every suite in the complex is special. Large groups, long term family stays, couples and singles are all accommodated in the most deluxe way.
With access to Elounda’s private beach, a peaceful luxurious oasis a stone’s throw from your room, most would be satisfied. Guests of the Peninsula, however, also get access to the beaches of sister hotel Porto Elounda as well as the new beach bar and one of the largest outdoor beachfront pools on The Island. A sip of an icy signature cocktail or a crisp and sweet glass of the hotel’s own honey beer, alongside calamari and Dakos cannot be helped at all hours of the day.
Eat
An A La Carte breakfast of Cretan favourites, Grecian favourites and worldly must haves, your morning coffee, overlooking the shimmering sun rising against the silent sea has never tasted so good. On an island where there is potentially only so much Gyros a person can eat (though worth finding out), Elounda has accomplished a variety of holiday-favourite cuisines that’ll make certain you find it necessary to use the pool.
Seaside curated delicacies covering all Grecian classics can be enjoyed at the yacht club, while Cretian fusion is perfected at the Old Mill, a fine dining restaurant built around an ancient millstone. Make sure you try the cuttlefish dolmades vine leaves, fava bean croquettes with octopus and the pan fried Sea bream with oyster on vine tomatoes and basil.
The world famous Il Borro has its only restaurant in Greece right in the centre of Elounda with their authentic Tuscan flavours pairing perfectly with the serene backdrop of the sea. Whole salt and herb baked sea bass, prepared in front of the beach is a memory you won’t soon forget, just as with the smell of Il Borro’s renowned truffle pizza – a subtle yet moorish helping of the component. Equal parts exceptional and lavish, the extraordinary flavours of Japan are delivered to Greece by the newest addition to Elounda’s food scene. Sumosan has opened its doors this year on the Peninsula with unforgettable dishes such as the Surprise Lobster salad, wasabi prawns in fruit salsa, teriyaki wagyu and the unbeatable 24-hour miso marinated black cod.
Relax
Alongside the tranquillity provided by the suites, golf course, pools, lounges and the sea, Elounda also boasts the only Six Senses Spa in the whole of Greece. With three types of sauna, a Hammam, plunge pool and infinity pool overlooking the bay, the spa offers a lot more than its incredible selection of massages and facials. Wellness programmes catered to your specific needs, de-stressing after a day in paradise is at your convenience.
For those wanting a little more movement in your day, Elounda provides private day and half day excursions on various yachts as well as on their flagship yacht. A magnificent sailboat docked daintily in the harbour, waiting to finalise the perfect Instagram shot.
With over 50 five-star package options for Crete, British Airways Holidays offers packages for Elounda Peninsula and many more across the island. And after such an unforgettable trip of swimming, eating, drinking and lounging, it’s easy to recommend. Peninsula, and its two sister hotels, cater luxury to you. A peaceful hideaway that allows you to absorb Cretan culture whilst sunbathing by your private pool cannot be missed.
Elounda Peninsula start from €400 per night, for a Junior suite sea view based on two sharing. For additional packages to Crete, visit British Airways Holidays: britishairways.com.
