Holiday started well with v good cold colaltion awaiting our late arrival. Finished well with free use of room between check out from our room and departure for airport. Period in between was good with friendly staff, good surroundings including private beach, plenty of sun chairs/umbrellas and lots and lots of sun. Others have commented on drinks prices so no more here. However, an easy walk into Elounda and lots of bars/cafes/restaurants to choose from. Our favourite for an excellent coffee or snack lunch was delMarr on the sea front on way into Elounda. Also, for sandwiches an excellent baker across road from hotel entrance and slightly towards Elounda.

For a first visit to Crete my wife and I decided on the Elounda Bay Palace Hotel on the eastern side of the Island located on the outskirts of the former fishing village which has many small fishing boats still in evidence around the harbour which is fringed by nice restaurants bars and greek supermarkets.
We booked through Thomsons and had a sea view room which overlooked the gardens and sea front across the bay to the neighbouring small island.
This hotel is indeed luxury with beautiful gardens right on the sea shore and designed with privacy in mind. The architect of this place knew what he was doing -absolutely beautiful.
Internally the finishings are to a high standard and the food is what you would expect from such a place. The staff cannot do enough for you but still respect your privacy. This hotel sits alongside the elounda Beach its sister hotel which is also to a very high standard and has child facilites in the grounds
I made use of the onsite PADI dive school and had six dives in the company of Mike a very experienced diver and a great character. Thanks to him for my longest and deepest dive in the crystal clear waters of the Med
If you are looking for a relaxing holiday in a hotel of high standards in appearance standards and setting then this is the place. Go On Spoil Yourself. In my opinion this palce is 'Simply The Best'

History: I arrived in Elounda after travelling Crete for 3 days, and turned up without a reservation to be greeted by a rather cautious lady called Maria (or Marie?) who was the front of house manager. I admit i looked a bit dodgy in shorts and tank top and scruffy. She took my money upfront, and someone showed me to my room - it didnt have such a great view as was far down the end of the corridor, so I asked if there was a nicer room further towards the main building as my girlfriend was due to stay two days later with me. From this point on, the staff were excellent. Maria kindly organised a free drink in the lovely Sail-in bar, and I waited about 30 mins for a room. The new room was far nicer, with better view.

The next 4 days were great, the food was excellent. We ate in the Al Acarte which is just so lovely, and the live band play some great music, so good we actually danced after dinner. Its a truely beautiful spot, and they light up the sea so its really nice. Maria was very accomodating and she kindly organised some nights B&B and some room only. On my last day, we were due to fly back late in the evening, so the team (Maria and Victoria) very kindly allowed us to use another room at the back of the hotel, for free. This was extremely good service, and allowed us to freshen up before our flight.

Loved the hotel - its original white walls, old flag stones, and fantastic lighting at night. The beach is lovely, private, and quiet. Staff are very nice, very friendly.

THE ONLY downside - WIFI - you have to pay for it. Was gutted to be honest, its something like 4 euros per hour. I can afford it, but refused to on principle when virtually every bar in Elounda offers free Wifi. You can use one of three free computers in the hotel lobby but they are pretty old and slow and some sites are not accessible. I previously stayed in the Amathus Beach hotel in Paphos (a fab hotel) and a couple of years ago they installed WiFi that actually reaches to the beach, for free. In the modern era, with iphones, skype, and businesses run online (like mine), being able to access the internet from the sail-in bar, beach, or grass would have been much better.

Thanks for a great holiday with lovely staff.

Just back from a week in the Elouda Bay Palace. Lovely setting and attentive staff throughout the stay. A special mention to Nicos in the sail in bar, great cocktails and music, lovely guy! Ate in the ferryman a few nights in the town, food as good as ever!!