we have just returned from a week stay at the Elounda llion, all I can say is amazing. The pool area was clean, plenty of sun loungers that people had not got up at 5am to put towels on!!. We stayed in a superior sea view room it was clean,spacious and the view was amazing. Staff could not have being more helpful and friendly, nothing was too much trouble. I do not often go back to the same hotel but will be booking my next stay there soon, but for 2 weeks this time. The walk into Elounda took about 30 minutes but well worth it, we went after our evening meal so nice to walk some of the wonderful food off!! For anyone looking for total peace and tranquility this is the place to go. For us we also enjoyed the fact that there were not any children there when we stayed, not that we dont like children we have 4 and 5 grandchildren but it is nice to be in a quite hotel. Go you will not be disappointed.

Elounda Ilion is set in beautiful surroundings, staff all most helpful and rooms clean, though some rooms larger than others. Breakfast better than expected for Greece, though buffet dinner not wonderful. You can get much better food in most the tavernas in town, but the downside to this is that it is a good 30 minutes' walk to get there, and coming back it is gently uphill. Taxis cost 7 euros, so need to add this into budget. 2 course meal for 2 with caraf of wine cost 35-50 euros but for really good quality food. Never tired of the stunning view from the hotel, this made the 30 minutes walk worthwhile (we were B&B).

After seeing all the lovely pictures of this hotel on internet,we were so disapponted when we were shown to rooms 50 and 51.No sign of a refurbishment here.What does one have to pay these days to be given a room of an acceptable standard.Hard bed,mismatched furniture,tatty curtain,disgusting grouting and smell in bathroom.However,room was cleaned every day and we did receive fresh towels whenever we wanted.Pool and Bar area okay and lovely views.Did not enjoy dining room experience.It was like a canteen and definitely not 4 star.Tables were not even set for breakfast.No one appeared to be in charge in Dining room although staff were polite,friendly and helpful.This aside,we did enjoy our holiday.

We cannot fault this hotel at all. We booked here whilst staying at another hotel in Crete, as the service was poor there so we moved. We found this little gem on the internet, told them we were moving to their hotel as we wanted a quiet room so we could relax and actually sleep at night and from the moment we arrived we didn't need to worry at all. Staff are fantastic and cant help enough. The chap on reception was so gracious that he didn't even ask which hotel we had moved from and we took this to mean they weren't in the habit of slating other hotels, they just let theirs speak for itself, which it most certainly did.

We were B&B at the hotel and the breakfast was brilliant, far better than most all inclusives we have been on. There was a restaurant at the hotel, but we didn't eat there as we like to go for a walk for dinner... which brings us onto the only point we can possibly imagine there being as to why anyone would not have a completely happy stay here and that is the distance this hotel is in to the main square of Elounda. We walked there and back each night and it was half hour at a leisurely pace. Part of the road into down was unlit, but take a little torch and you'll be fine. The views from the hotel more than make up for the distance, as you just couldn't get the views that the hotel has from within the town or without being elevated as it is.

The pool area is beautiful and peaceful and as it isn't a huge complex, you can easily get a bed on the lovely decked area around the pool... no need for bed saving or cramming into areas next to strangers.

The snack bar at the pool did food that a lot of restaurants could not live up to. All very fresh, large portions (we shared one meal at lunch time and we like our food!) and great quality. Fast service and whilst we thought at first that the staff were not quite as friendly at the snack bar, we soon realised they were young and learning English, so their confidence at speaking our language (we are Brits, we dont bother learning Greek before going do we!?) was all that was stopping them as if you took the time to speak to them, they were very friendly and their service was excellent.

We stayed in room 6 which was part way up the drive way, set back a little and was lovely and quiet, although I can't imagine any room being noisy as its set out so well. The room was more like a little apartment, it had a seating area and TV, little fridge, good sized bathroom and sleeping area and a quiet little air con system which very effectively cooled the room down. The balcony area was beautiful looking out on to the sea and was so well thought out that they had trees in between each balcony so you weren't sat with your neighbour! Again, because of the elevated position you could see out to the beautiful sea all around you.

In short, we can't rate this hotel enough if you are looking for a quiet holiday, where you can relax in lovely surroundings, enjoy beautiful views, a little walk into town (or taxi for around 5-8 euros we would guess) and a very short walk to your own little part of the beach (rocky beach but access to the beautiful clear sea).