5 Gorgeous Greek Island Getaways To Book In 2026
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6 hours ago
From beachside hotels to luxury villas, here’s where to be book your next Mediterranean escape
With its crystal-clear waters, charming tavernas, world-renowned food and historic sites to see, Crete is the quintessential Greek getaway you’ve been yearning for. But where to stay on the island? Enter Giannoulis Hotels & Resorts, which has built a reputation for heartfelt hospitality and timeless seaside escapes. The family-run collection includes five beachside hotels and two private villas, each perfectly placed by the water and offering its own distinct take on Cretan charm.
Founded in the 1980s by Charalampos Giannoulis and now led by his son, Manolis Giannoulis, the brand remains true to its roots – where family values and personal warmth define every guest experience. The group of four and five-star hotels range from family-friendly resorts and sports-focused escapes to boutique, adults-only hideaways, leaving plenty of options for every kind of holidaymaker. Wherever you stay, expect inviting rooms and suites, beautiful beach views, and dining that celebrates Crete’s rich culinary heritage.
Looking for your next holiday destination? Giannoulis Hotels & Resorts has the perfect portfolio of Greek island getaways to get you started.
Crete Getaways With Giannoulis Hotels & Resorts
Giannoulis Santa Marina Beach
Giannoulis Santa Marina Beach
Set on a stretch of golden sand on Crete’s laid-back west coast, just 8km from Chania, Giannoulis Santa Marina Beach is perfectly placed for easy island exploration. Ideal for families, the hotel boasts 214 rooms, three pools (including one just for the kids), a well-equipped gym and a wellness area where you can book in for an expert massage – as well as a range of onsite entertainment and a fun-filled kids’ club.
Spend sun-soaked days swimming in the pool, building castles on Agia Marina’s golden sands, or dining at one of the hotel’s four restaurants (where the teams utilise local honey, wines, fresh seafood, Cretan pastries and olive oils to create their signature Cretan dishes). And you’ll never be far from a postcard-worthy panorama; from the shore, you’ll spot Thodorou, a small uninhabited island and national park just across the water.
It’s not just the scenery that keeps people coming back – the staff’s renowned Cretan hospitality has made Santa Marina Beach a favourite since it first opened its doors in the 1980s.
Giannoulis Cavo Spada
Giannoulis Cavo Spada Luxury Sports & Leisure Resort
For the best of both worlds, it has to be Giannoulis Cavo Spada Luxury Sports & Leisure Resort. Set on a Blue Flag beach – meaning the area meets strict standards for high water quality, safety and environmental management – Cavo Spada blends the calm of the Cretan coast with the energy of an active escape.
At the heart of the resort lies a free-form lagoon-style pool and swim-up bar, where mornings fade lazily into long afternoons in the sun. The spa and wellness centre is made for unwinding, with a heated indoor pool, sauna, hammam, and jacuzzi. From there, guests can saunter over to one of three stylish restaurants, try their hand at cooking lessons, indulge in wine and olive oil tasting, pull up a stool at the bar, or pay a visit to the resort’s boutique store.
And for those who like to keep moving on holiday, Cavo Spada’s range of sports facilities should keep you happily busy. There’s tennis and paddle courts, a spinning room, running track and even a space set up for beach volleyball. (It’s no surprise that the Swedish Olympic Team often trains here.)
Giannoulis Grand Bay Beach Resort
Giannoulis Grand Bay Beach Resort
If it’s some quiet you’re craving, then your next escape should take you to Giannoulis Grand Bay Beach Resort. The adults-only retreat is perfect for couples, friends and solo travellers, sitting on the sun-drenched sands of Kolymbari and just a two-minute drive from the nearest village.
Guests can spend the day swimming in the pool or lazing on the beach, then drift to the pool bar for a cocktail before fuelling up at the resort’s collection of tempting restaurants: there’s the elegant Azzuro à la carte, the seaside SeaLine taverna, or the laid-back buffet venue. A small fitness centre, sauna, and wellness area offering massages and beauty treatments, meanwhile, ensure guests can keep on top of their physical and holistic health during their stay.
And for adventures beyond the resort, the harbour and village lanes are perfect for an evening stroll or a lingering taverna meal, while those wanting to soak up some local culture can visit the Mother of God Odigitria Gonia Monastery nearby. Craving something a little more energetic? The hotel arranges cycling, hiking, sailing, and diving excursions – the perfect way to discover Crete’s wilder side before returning to your sun lounger.
Giannoulis Santa Marina Plaza
Giannoulis Santa Marina Plaza
Calm comes naturally at Giannoulis Santa Marina Plaza. The boutique beachfront hotel is an adults-only retreat, with 51 rooms making the experience feel intimately exclusive. Think long, lazy mornings, sea views that seem to go on forever, and the soft hush of waves as your holiday soundtrack.
Guests are welcome to set their own pace, whether that includes morning yoga sessions on the beach and a refreshing dip in the pool, or a lie-in followed by a massage beneath a shaded seaside gazebo and a leisurely lunch at the à la carte or buffet restaurant – where, naturally, every table comes with a view of the water. (And make sure to swing by on a Wednesday for Cretan night, where local dishes like trachanas soup, boureki, pilaf and meat pies are served up.)
Giannoulis Ele Villas
Giannoulis Ele Villas
The newest addition to the collection, having opened in 2024, is Giannoulis Ele Villas – named after the founder’s granddaughter Eleftheria. Thoughtfully designed to mirror their natural surroundings, these modern beachfront havens open up to sweeping views of the Cretan Sea and the Gulf of Chania.
The two sister properties – Ele Mare Villa, set directly on the beach of Rapaniana, and Ele Sole Villa, just steps from the shoreline – offer the ideal balance of seclusion and style. Each villa features airy contemporary architecture, large verandas overlooking the sea, and private pools. Both can comfortably sleep up to six guests, with two bedrooms, a bright living room (with extra sofa beds), three bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and a dining area perfect feeding into the elevated ‘home away from home’ feel.
Outside, landscaped gardens lead down to private beach sunbeds, inviting you to linger by the water from sunrise to sunset. Guests are welcomed with a basket of local treats – wine, olive oil, and Cretan delicacies – setting the tone for a personalised stay that feels wholly indulgent.
BOOK
For more information and to book, please go to giannoulishotels.com, call +30 28240 22640 or email [email protected].
