48 hours on Crete

That is all I get, to go visit my greek Island. After a 6,5 hours layover in Athens we board back up on our flight to Heraklion, Crete. Get picked up by minibus and head for an hour drive east to Elounda bay. This year to the pitch black and just in time for the closing of the restaurants.

The private pool area by night.

Elounda Bay Palace is an luxe resort with great customer service and lovely surroundings. It is listed as a 5 star hotel and resort and has its own private beaches, spa and many hectares with gardens. You can even get your own yacht club house here. if you only put down the cash.

It feels pretty much like paradise to get back here. This year was my third time. Still I was somewhat disappointed in some of their services this year. Although we were not the first to rise and shine in the morning we were not very late either. But still we had not the best room service and cleaning experiences. For such a place I expect it to be tip-top. For instance the outer area was nowhere to have been washed. Even if it was covered in degrees from last night windy experience. For this type of hotel I expect this kind of service. And no one seem to mind that one of my complimentary fruit baskets contained a molded orange. Disappointing.

Maybe I expect to much and have to high standards. But to me this is something I expect to be done in a 5 star resort. Especially when you have an upgraded room. Their room haven’t changed any this last year. And for the superior suites it is probably time to think of an upgrading of the bathrooms. Still I love my days here at Elounda. Picky or not. We spend most of our time around the compound, at the beach or at many of their restaurants.

my superior room with private pool

one of the private beaches and the sailor bar

at the sailor bar – our daily lunch rutine

mmm. strawberries and chocolate – one of my weakness. And if you order any Prosecco them come complimentary

although we usually go out to eat every night, this year we stayed put at the resort. And I had the opportunity to try out two new restaurants over at the Elounda Bay Beach compound. The food served was as always very lovely and good. Bringing some ideas and request is seldom a problem. They do their very best to make your stay just as you would like it. Their service staff is excellent and remembered us from previous years. That´s kinda cute.

Eating lunch at our regular place – Ariadne, a classic seaside tavern with delicious greek food. Here we explain the waiters to make us some grilled feta cheese. Not on the menu though.

starters at Dionysos – pricey but delicious 

Dinner at Dionysos – oh so good

view from argonaut restaurant. They served Italian cuisine so delightful and peaceful

I think Elounda bay Palace and Elounda bay Beach can offer anything you need. Unfortunately I did not get to test their spa this year as planned. I wanted to spend my short time with my travel mates and enjoy the short time we had. But who knows maybe I´ll be back next year.

Interested in a royal yachting residence – It can be yours

Lazy morning

This was my view last morning – a rising sun over the cretan mountain and the waves slowly crashing lazy over the beach

My Greek getaway

I´ll be the first to admit it. When it comes to travel I like to travel in style and be comfy. I like me some lux – no doubt. Good thing I get to go to Crete and Elounda bay yet again, my third visit to this beautiful hotel in just as many years.

Kreta – Elounda Bay – Spa retreat

Elounda er en liten fiskelandsby på nord kysten av Kreta ca. en times kjøretur fra flyplassen i Heraklion.

Elounda bay palace – my room with a view

Heldige meg som har fått sjansen til å reise hit 2 ganger en i oktober og nå sist i juni. Anbefaler absolutt å reise på forsommeren da jeg opplevde at været var litt mere stabilt og varmere. Jeg har bodd begge gangene på luksushotellet Elounda Bay Palace. Et fantastisk komplex med alle typer fasiliteter. Jeg har stortrivdes her begge gangene.

Good service is never wrong

Reiser du til Elounda bay er det for å slappe av og nyte solen. Men fortvil ikke hotellet har også en rekke aktiviteter du kan være med på.  Vannsports aktiviteter, båtturer, dykking blandt annet. Dersom du ønsker spa er også tilbudet her bra. Det er bare å booke seg inn på forhånd.

scooter riding with Thalassa restaurant in the back

Spisested Ariadne med typisk gresk kusine

Poppin´a prosecco for lunch

Back at one of the small beaches for some relaxing

My beach of choice

On our way to the water sport center

The Sail-in bar good for lunches and for a night cap.

Dersom du ønsker kan du tilbringe hele ferien din på hotellkomplexet. Det har mange ulike barer og spisesteder. De tilbyr også all-inclusive for dem som ønsker dette. Frokosten er stor og utvalget er bra. Dersom du synes det kan bli litt kjedelig å spise på hotellet hele tiden tar det deg bare ca. 10 min. med taxi ned til selve Elounda. Der har de mange flotte og gode restauranter. Jeg kan selv anbefale Ferryman taverna med stort utvalg av gresk mat. Elounda har ikke det store tilbudet av shopping muligheter så hvis du søker dette anbefaler jeg å ta taxi til den litt større byen Agios Nikolaos. Her er det større utvalg av både butikker og restauranter. Du vil merke at det også er en god del flere turister her.

Agios Nicolaos – shopping street

The bay of Agios Nicolaos

chilling back at the room

Prosecco time

Har du for forresten lest boka Øya av Victoria Hislop? Denne øya med navn spinalonga er rett utenfor Elounda. Du kan ta shuttlebåt ut til øya fra selve Elounda, eller som vi, leie deg en egen seilbåt og seile rundt hele øya. Spinalonga drives for tiden å bygges opp igjen siden den har fått god suksess gjennom boka og filmen. Idag står steinhusene tomme men noen av bygningene kan alikevell kjennes igjen fra boka. Personlig var jeg aldri innom øya første gang vi reiste til Elounda, da jeg hadde fått fortalt at det kun var ruiner her alikevell. I år tok vi som tidligere nevt en seilbåt og kjørte rundt øya og det var faktisk veldig interessant og jeg er glad at jeg tok turen ut. Men det holdt for min del med båtturen rundt øya.

A view of the sail bar and the bay at Elounda Palace

 

Elounda Bay Palace er et fantastisk flott sted og jeg håper jeg kan få komme tilbake hit også neste år. Inntil da – på gjensyn.