Food and Drink

Calypso

American-style a-la-carte breakfast is enjoyed with the most spectacular views of the bay, at the Calypso Restaurant, next to a turquoise pool that seems to overflow into the sea.

Koh

Sushi restaurant on the waterfront: a truly magnificent setting, right on top of the lapping waves, with mesmerizing views of the rising moon, the Koh Sushi restaurant is a one-of-a-kind experience. Immensely popular every night, with superb lounge music and a bar literally on the rocks, this is a special place that will linger in every visitor’s memory for years.

Aglio e Olio

The Aglio-e-Olio restaurant’s splendid International cuisine is served al fresco under the grey-green canopy of an ancient olive grove, next to the beach and seaside pool of the porto elounda Golf & Spa Resort. A favourite of families with children, the Aglio e Olio is busy every night and combines perfectly with the Beach Bar and Lounge for an aperitivo, digestivo, or after-dinner cigar from our collection of top Habanos.

Odysseus

Named after the ingenious seafarer of Homer’s Odyssey, this seaside restaurant is a beautiful choice for enjoying a family lunch next to the fish swimming in the clear waters of our quaint little harbour! The menu selection honours traditional Greek favorites with a twist of elegance and character, while also catering perfectly for the needs of children.

Old Mill 

Set around an ancient millstone, the Old Mill is a fine-dining restaurant in a blooming garden over the waters, with an astounding menu and wine list which has devoted fans returning over and over again for the past 30 years.

The innovative Cretan Fusion cuisine at the Old Mill has a timeless character which has always appealed to the most demanding palate and has received multiple “Toque d’Or” awards as one of the finest restaurants in Greece.  Certain nights will be “Toddler free Gourmet Evenings”.

Yacht Club

The Yacht Club Restaurant at the elounda mare hotel, perched on a dramatic edge and overlooking the beach below, serves dinner in the summer months with a varied Greek full-flavoured menu composed mainly of local seafood and products of the earth, prepared in traditional ways. A la carte lunch is served here during the entire season.

The “Fisher’s Evening” takes place at the Yacht Club on a weekly basis, with a rich seafood buffet and the daily catch served as fresh as it gets.

Deck

The Deck restaurant at the elounda mare hotel is a perfect setting for al fresco dining with its magnificent sea views and immaculate service. A sumptuous buffet and a la carte breakfast is served here, from 07.00 to 10.30 every morning during the entire season.

Nafsika

By the pool, with a terrace right over the waters, the Nafsika restaurant at porto elounda GOLF & SPA RESORT is the stage for every morning’s buffet breakfast, from 07.00 to 10.30, and opens again for dinner with a large selection of dishes and a-la-minute cooking, themed around a Mediterranean array of specials that will surprise you time and time again. Not to mention, of course, that the views to the sea and the distant mountains of Crete are simply breathtaking.

Wine Cellar

The Kelari wine cellar at the elounda peninsula ALL SUITE HOTEL hosts an impressive collection of wines from all regions of Greece, as well as an expansive collection of Old World and New World vintages, and is available for private dining of up to eight guests.

Peninsula Lounge

With panoramic sea views of the Mirabello Bay on all sides, the Peninsula Lounge resembles the bridge of a luxurious yacht sailing the high seas in perfect old-world style. Its verandas are the place everyone chooses for a photograph to remember this special place in the world.

Beach Bar & Lounge

Next to the beach and the seaside pool of the porto elounda GOLF & SPA RESORT is the vibrant round bar where everyone meets during the day for relaxed refreshments under the impressive wooden canopy. Cocktails and snacks are served all day, to be enjoyed with the sounds of an excellent musical selection.

At night, the beautiful lounge bar beside it offers a calm and relaxed view whilst sipping your drink or enjoying a cigar from our collection of top Habanos.

Kirki

The Kirki Bar, taking its name from the mythical sorceress in Homer’s Odyssey, is a meeting place throughout the day and night with an extensive outdoor terrace and astonishing sea views. With its soaring ceilings and panoramic vistas, the Kirki Bar’s lounges are bustling with life every evening.

Karavia

The Karavia Bar invites you to enjoy an aperitif, while taking in the stunning views of the Aegean Sea. Complemented by several cozy lounges furnished with folk art, antiques and ancient artefacts, the Karavia bar is the heart of the hotel’s evening life.

Local Area

Crete

When starting an excursion from our hotels, these are the 10 must-see sites nearby.

Elounda, Plaka and Spinalonga

Elounda is a collection of three villages, Ano (upper) and Kato (lower) Elounda sitting above the port, Skisma, nestled at the head of the bay of Elounda with a view of the beautiful Venetian castle on the island of Kalydon, the famous “Spinalonga”. Since ancient times, this island was site to a fortress that protected the port of Olous from marauding pirates, while in the 20th century it was used for the exile of patients suffering from Hansen’s disease (leprosy). Nowadays, it is a remarkable site where little boats will take you to throughout the season. Opposite the island is Plaka, a fishing village with traditional seaside homes and openings that play stage every summer to the “Plakiana” traditional music festival, and whose tavernas serve the freshest fish throughout the year.

Upper Mirabello and the Areti Monastery

Passing Plaka and Spinalonga, the road heads up the mountain towards the most unspoilt region of Eastern Crete, the “Upper Mirabello”. Pass through the traditional village of Vrouhas with the amazing view of the entire Mirabello bay and of Spinalonga, and then walk to the cape of St.John with the beautiful stone-built lighthouse, a miracle of traditional architecture.

After Vrouhas comes the small settlement of Selles, to the north of which starts a seaside route through virgin landscapes that ends at a small taverna. Before lunch, we suggest you take a short walk to the hidden beach of Vlihadia, for a dip into the azure waters.

On your return, drive up to the village of Skinias and the gorgeous Aretiou monastery before continuing through the mountainous landscape towards Ano Elounda and, finally, the port of Elounda, called “Skisma”.

Virgin waters and beaches

This corner of the Mirabello bay, with the Spinalonga peninsula and its myriad anchorages is a true yachting paradise. Within a few minutes from our hotels, one of our sailing or motor yachts will travel you to secluded seascapes and hidden coasts. From the beach on nearby “Glaronisi” (seagull-island) to the fishing village of Mohlos with the ancient Minoan ruins on its little islet, the cruises are magical. Starting any time of the day or night you require, with all the meals that you wish for, and even with spa treatments on board, this will be an unforgettable cruise.

SCUBA diving

For adventure lovers, we suggest a unique experience of life in the sea, a scuba dive down a steep incline, known as “wall diving”, where one descends through crystal clear waters down to a depth of 30 meters  through the deep Mediterranean blue onto the sandy sea bed. At night, you should experience the dark beauty with a night dive with torches, where the colours will mesmerise you and the sleeping fish will idly float in front of your mask to be observed in total serenity.

The city of Aghios Nikolaos (St.Nicholas)

The local capital is host to thousands of visitors every year. At its heart is the lake “Vouliagmeni” (sunken lake), a volcanic submersion where according to Greek myths the goddesses Athena and Artemis washed their hair. All explorations into it, including Jacque Cousteau’s, have ended in a winding system of underwater caves without end. Red rocks and trees on its western slopes add peculiar magic to the scenery. Strolling through the many shops of the city and the many buzzing cafes and eateries will fill the day very pleasantly.

Ancient Lato and the Kritsa canyon

Just after Aghios Nikolaos is the turn towards the traditional village of Kritsa and the Byzantine church of Panagia Kera with its intricate wall paintings dating to the 13th century. Continuing around Kritsa, one passes its small but beautiful canyon, whose ascent requires about an hour of walking through virgin nature.

From the end of the canyon you can return easily by taking a path on its upper lip that ends at ancient Lato, a Minoan acropolis dating to the 5th century B.C. on an amazing panoramic position.The road after Lato continues through the olive groves to Lakonia, where you should stop for a snack at traditional café in Panagia village. Recently, a museum of antique cars and motorcycles was inaugurated on the square.

Few can believe how easy it is to rise from the seaside paradise of Elounda to a height of 2000 meters and enjoy the mountains. Just after Kritsa, you follow the sign to “Katharo” plateau, through gorges and forests of ancient Cretan pine (Quercus Coccifera). Arriving at the plateau is equally spectacular, as you see before you the traditional “metohia” (cultivations). At its entrance, the café of Mr.Siganos is the last contact with civilization. Don’t neglect to see the bones of ancient pygmy elephants and hippos dating from 14 thousand years ago! Crossing the plateau will lead you to the dense forest of Selakano, where another beautiful mountain route will take you to the village of Kroustas.

Lassithi Plateau and the Dikteon Andron cave

There are places in Crete so well hidden that even the mythical gods could not find. The cave of Zeus, Dikteon Andron, is one of them. Starting from the old provincial capital, Neapoli, follow the signs to the village of Vryses and the Lassithi plateau where, depending on the time of year, the colours change radically with a backdrop of 2000-meter peaks.

On the opposite side of the plateau, behind the village of Psyhro, lies the mythical cave where, Zeus, the father of the Olympian gods, was born. Archaeologists have brought to light artifacts dating from the 7th century B.C., while its natural beauty explains why it has been a holy place through the millennia. For those who don’t fear the dirt roads, there is also an amazing mountain route from Mesa Lassithi, next to the Havgas canyon, to the Katharo plateau.

CretAquarium

The CretAquarium, near Heraklion, occupies an area of approximately 5000 sq.mtrs. and is part of “THALASSOCOSMOS”, which hosts a research centre, technology, education and recreation facilities. Both as a result of its in size and its exceptional design it is the largest site of its kind in the Mediterranean. When you arrive, you will be impressed by the contemporary building, whose architectural design evokes a ship with its bow pointing towards the western horizon of the sea. The tour is estimated to last about one hour, if the visitor wishes to examine all the organisms and exhibits.

The Crete Golf Club, Hersonissos

For golf lovers who can appreciate the sport’s need for concentration, who enjoy the competition and can find the harmony that golf provides, there is a truly unique 18-hole “Desert Style” golf course, in the area of Hersonissos, about 35 minutes’ drive from Elounda, which combines modern infrastructure, international golf standards and a majestic landscape as an idyllic setting to take in the great pleasures of the sport.

Families

Kids Ark

Creche and Toddlers

Designed around the theme of an animal park, this is a place where children play happily, in harmony with nature. Playgrounds are both indoor and outdoor, especially designed to protect children from over-exposure to the sun. A vegetable garden has been formed where children can enjoy themselves while learning how to grow a variety of vegetables depending on the season.

There are two shallow pools attached to the park, which are supervised by our childcare team at all times and equipped with the most up-to-date water ionization and purification devices. There is space for resting,a dining room and children’s toilets and showers.

The philosophy guiding this program is that children learn about the Greek way of life and Greek history and culture, while having fun with other children from a multi-ethnic background.

Activities include: 

• Drawing, collage, safe swimming, painting, story telling,
• playing outdoors in the sand pit and the playground, traditional games
• n nature, and much more!

Youngsters

Set in its own corner of the resort, near the golf course, it is comprised of numerous facilities for both younger and older children, safely separated into a variety of play areas and amusement corners. The ball games court is a special soft surface, with futsal goalposts and a basketball rim.  Beside it is the covered tabletop play area, protected under an extensive wooden pergola, while adjacent a water park is located, comprised of two shallow swimming pools, one which is 40cm deep for the younger children and one which is 1mtr deep for the older children, with two large water slides descending from a height of 3 metres. Alongside these facilities is an olive grove with slides, ramps, swings, and a trampoline for children to play under our supervision.

Children from 5 to 11 years old can participate complimentary to various supervised activities of the Juniors Club.

Teenagers

The teenagers of the resort can enjoy golf and tennis lessons, water skiing, sailing lessons, and an array of ball games. For those who would rather spend their evenings playing some more, a space dedicated to the teenagersis available full of table and board.

Children Services and Activities

Valencia CF Soccer School Camp

Global Premier Soccer is one of the largest and most successful football organisations in the world, active not only in Europe but also in the United States of America and Canada, collaborating with major football teams such as Bayern FC and Valencia FC.

Dancing Lessons

Kids will have the opportunity to learn how to dance traditional Greek dances either in private or in a group with other kids. Dancing lessons will be available May to September.

Six Senses Kids

Wellness & Lifestyle Experience

The aim of the concept is to get children involved in the world of wellness through engaging & interactive activities. To get them introduced to the ideology of wellness and healthy lifestyle, which will benefit them greatly in the future. This is the first destination in the world where Six Senses is going to operate this program.

Babies Travel Light

Parents with babies don’t need to bring any supplies with them, since they will find everything they request for their babies waiting for them in their room or suite by filling in a form. From strollers to kids’ shampoo, nappies to sunscreen,this list is as comprehensive as anyone would like it to be.