Checking in to the Elounda Collection – a tale of three resorts

Crete’s northern coast is well-known, but resorts that truly belong to their surroundings are rare. Arriving at the Elounda Collection – a trio of properties shaped by family heritage and architectural vision – it is clear this is no ordinary resort. Instead of imposing itself on the landscape, it grows organically from it, reflecting a deep understanding of Greek tradition and contemporary hospitality.

My base for the next few days was Elounda Peninsula, the Collection’s most sculptural and exclusive property, where suites boast private pools and direct sea access. But first, a closer look at the architectural story behind this unique estate…

More than a group of hotels, the Elounda Collection is a 40-year creative legacy founded by Spyros and Eliana Kokotos. Their shared expertise in architecture, design, and Cretan heritage has curated a singular vision, marked by warmth and continuity. By the end of my three-day stay, I felt I truly knew the place and the people behind it – several staff members I met had been with the hotels for 20 years or more, a clear reflection of the culture cultivated here.

Each property – Elounda Mare, Porto Elounda, and Elounda Peninsula – plays a distinct architectural role, yet together they form a harmonious whole where luxury is measured in thoughtfulness, not excess.

Elounda Mare: the original

Elounda Mare, Greece’s first Relais & Châteaux member and Mediterranean pioneer in private pools, embodies heritage. Its architecture draws on traditional Cretan villages, with stone pathways, terracotta rooftops, low-slung buildings nestled among olive groves, and bright flowers cascading over whitewashed walls. Handmade details abound: mosaics underfoot, frescoes tucked in corners, spaces that unfold gently toward the sea.

Guestroom in Minoan Royalty Villa at Elounda Mare | Image credit: Elounda Collection

Strolling along the sea-side pathways of the Elounda Mare, you will wind yourself toward the award-winning Old Mill restaurant, tucked beneath ancient olive trees and overlooking manicured lawns leading to the water. This space exemplifies quiet luxury – authentic, unpretentious, and deeply rooted in place. Here, aged wood, candlelight, and pure Cretan flavours create a memorable dining experience underscored by expertly paired wines and gently tinkling piano keys.

Porto Elounda: Riviera elegance

Next door, Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort introduces scale and symmetry to the coastline with a refined 1960s Riviera aesthetic. Clean lines, sweeping arches, and elegant seawater pools connect suites and villas, while the adjacent golf course slopes gently into the hillside.

Inside, suites are undergoing a glamorous refresh: crisp white walls evoke Cycladic purity, offset by rich wooden floors that ground each space in Cretan authenticity. Floor-to-ceiling glass offers uninterrupted ocean views, and indulgent deep soaking tubs hint at Riviera chic – as do the accents of cream leather throughout.

Excitingly, Wimberley Interiors is soon set to reimagine the expansive reception and lobby area of the Porto Elounda. I for one cannot wait to see the studio’s vision come to life. I did, however, inquire with hope that the standout ceiling, a wooden installation made from traditional Grecian bread-making moulds, would remain. My finger’s remain firmly crossed that it does. I felt that, with the luxuriant gold detailing, natural materiality, and historic relevance, that ceiling underpinned the Elounda Collection’s ethos.

Porto Elounda is also home to the original Six Senses Spa, whose subterranean domes and ‘floating’ crystals create a serene, otherworldly atmosphere. A massage here is transformative: a ritual that blends ancient Cretan traditions with modern wellness, all framed by tranquil water features and a peaceful infinity pool.

Elounda Peninsula: sculptural minimalism

At Elounda Peninsula, where I stayed, architecture feels like sculpture. Suites of white limestone and brushed bronze peel back like seashells toward the Aegean. The design is minimalist yet tactile – no excess, just clean lines, natural textures, and a constant dialogue between inside and out.

My suite flowed seamlessly from entrance to terrace, terrace to infinity pool, and pool to a private stone path that led straight to the sea. The boundary between architecture and experience dissolved. Nearly every public space within the Peninsula also follows suit, the glass-walled design of the lobby particularly directs the gaze outward, prioritising connection with the ocean from the moment of arrival.

Inside my suite the palette was coastal but never cliché: soft linens, timber, and pale stone catching the light. The materials rooted everything in place. From the bed, I could see the sea, from the expansive lounge all I could see was the sea, even from the walk-in wardrobe… yes, the sea.

Views of the Aegean are visible throughout the Presidential suite at Elounda Peninsula | Image credits: Elounda Collection

Living the peninsula rhythm

Life at Elounda is unhurried, and the design fosters this effortlessly. Spaces transition naturally, creating a quiet luxury that never demands attention but always satisfies.

Day one began with lunch at Elies, a breezy beachside restaurant shared by all three properties, where I sampled the new Emily English menu – a fresh, elevated take on Greek classics. Built from stone and wood, dressed in soft neutrals, and nestled under olive branches and climbing greenery, Elies blends so seamlessly into the seafront it feels like an extension of the Mediterranean itself.

That evening, a private wine tasting at Elounda Mare brought architecture and atmosphere together. The stone-walled room, reminiscent of a Venetian monastery, set the tone for an intimate gathering. Grecian reds, whites, and rosés were paired with stories as much as food. The long tasting table, laden with cheeses and fruit, encouraged connection – mirroring that intentional familial spirit of the Elounda Collection.

Day two was a balance of movement and stillness: a private tennis lesson, a deeply relaxing Six Senses massage, and cocktails by the Peninsula’s ocean-edge pool. Nothing felt staged, just naturally unfolding moments shaped by design and landscape.

Dinner was at Il Borro Tuscan Bistro (a favoured restaurant among the global elite), and, here, where Italian culinary traditions meet Cretan produce, including olive oil from the Kokotos family grove. The interiors blend Italian sophistication with Cretan warmth – cream-white walls evoke Italian glamour, contrasting with the sharper whites typical of local tavernas. The restaurant’s wine cellar and intimate dining space with mezzanine level, and shaker-style cabinetry add layers of luxury with a touch of homeliness. A two-storey glass frontage floods the space with light and offers stunning harbour views, especially magical at dusk. The bistro feels as if it stepped straight out of an Italian villa and settled effortlessly on the Cretan coast – an ideal marriage in my eyes, of design and of the culinary.

Lasting details

Day three offered a gentle farewell: breakfast at Calypso, an open-sided restaurant at Porto Elounda perched at water’s edge; a barefoot stroll on the beach; one last swim; and a final lunch under tamarisk trees at Elies.

It is the quiet details at Elounda Peninsula that linger: bespoke furniture with curves echoing the coastline, light fixtures crafted from local materials, and a colour story flowing from sand to stone to sea. The attentive staff, intuitively reading your mood, elevate the stay from luxury to intimacy.

Wander along the Elounda Mare’s coastal front and you will discover a secret seating area to view the Aegean from | Image credit: Elounda Collection

What unites Elounda Mare, Porto Elounda, and Elounda Peninsula isn’t merely location or ownership, but a design philosophy. Across the Collection, architecture slows you down, rooting you in the moment. There are no jarring transitions or clashing styles, just thoughtful use of space, light, and landscape to shape how you feel.

At the Elounda Collection, luxury is never about excess. It is about belonging – an architecture of place, memory, and feeling.

Main image: Samusan sushi restaurant at Elounda Peninsula | Image credit: Elounda Collection