The sky blue panorama of a Cretan boutique hotel

Domes of Elounda Boutique Beach Resort spreads its 90 suites and private residences out along a private beach sited in the most hidden and intimate part of Elounda. The boutique hotel offers a breathtaking view over the island fortress of Spinalonga.

Domes of Elounda brings alive the beauty of the Mediterranean and breathes traditional Cretan culture. The architecture of the domes, the pyramidal roofs, and the earth coloured building materials find their roots in Greece, in the Carpath and in Syria. The simple design, vibrant colours, and intense blue of the sea invite guests to enjoy a luxurious and relaxing stay. The Domes Soma Spa, impressive with its black and gold mosaics, perpetuates ancestral techniques of 3000 years ago. Whether with family or as a couple, each traveler will find their own slice of happiness.

Domes of Elounda Boutique Beach Resort is open from April 21th to October 31st.

A boutique hotel with Mediterranean roots

Situated on a hillside planted with olive trees and blossoming gardens, the Domes of Elounda’s design reflects typical Mediterranean architecture and decoration. The oversized bay windows, large balconies, and spacious verandas facilitate the free and abundant flow of light and lets the soft breeze play with the curtains. The environment brings guests closer to nature.

Each suite, with private pool or jacuzzi (from 70 to 100sq.m), has a unique decoration that embodies the elegance of the Mediterranean interior. Hand-picked local art, white and vibrant coloured fabrics; everything is selected to create a romantic and sensual world, complete with a stunning view over the sea.

The eight private residences and four luxury villas, each with a private pool (from 110 to 450sq.m,) reflect the excellence of the Domes of Elounda. Domed or pyramidal roofs, large balconies, spacious verandas and breathtaking views over the sea characterize these luxury spaces. Attention to detail and an upscale customer service complete this seductive setting.

Tempting experience: Ancestral Spa Treatments inherited from ancient Greece

Be pampered at the Domes Soma Spa and experience authentic and original treatments with unusual and secret techniques coming from the ancient Greek times. With the famous brands of La Sultane de Saba and Thal’ion, Domes Soma Spa restores internal energies, delivers peace and tranquility, and offers a full sensation of well-being.

Services and activities on-site

At Domes Soma Spa: treatment areas, sauna, and black and gold mosaic hammams offer you moments of escape and relaxation in a zen-like and peaceful environment. An indoor heated seawater pool, a beauty and hair salon and a gym complete the facilitiesof the Domes Soma Spa.

The main swimming pool, edged with sofa beds and umbrellas, offers unobstructed views over the sea and the Spinalonga beach.

A few steps away from the hotel, accessible via a short passageway by foot or by buggy-car, is the private sandy beach and its shallow waters. The beach is bounded with olive trees, perfect spots to relax!

The Domes Kids Club and babycare facilities welcomes kids and teenagers from 4 months up to 12 years old, every day exept Sunday,in a beautiful playground near the sea. Activities are selected by age and managed by a team of professional animators from the Worldwide Kids Company. A full range of activities are offered: tennis lessons, indoor games, singing, costume making, drawing lessons, water skiing, windsurfing, scuba diving and sailing lessons.

The two bars of the hotel offer various musical atmospheres: live music at the Grand Dome bar and jazz music at the Spina lounge, under a canopy of stars and sea breezes.

Crete: an island steeped in history

Spinalonga Island, opposite the hotel, hosts a fortress built by the Venetians in 1579 to protect the harbour of Elounda. It was one of the best defended fortifications in the whole of Crete! The Turks evicted the Venetians in 1715 and inhabited the island until the beginning of the 20th century at which time the fortress became a leprosarium. Uninhabited since 1957, the island features important relics of the fortress which can be visited. A boat transfer from Elounda is available every 15mins.

The ancient Salines of Elounda date from the 15th century and were operated up until the 70’s. They were originally built by the Venetians to provide the table salt for the whole Republic of Venice after Venice lost Cyprus, their main salt production site, to the Turks. The latter, once they had conquered Crete (in 1669), carried on exploiting the salt mines to provide salt to the Ottoman Empire. Greece regained possession of the mines in 1929 at which time the local population was able to freely produce salt according to traditional methods.

Close to Heraklion, the capital of Crete, do not miss the Knossos Palace, a major archeological site, witness of the grandeur and elegance of the Minos and Mycenae civilizations. The 1300 rooms of the palace make Knossos one of the largest sites of the Minos civilization. According to the mythology, the site hosted the Knossos labyrinth with the half-man, half-Taurus Minotaur. Do not miss the throne room, the royal path, the theatre and the royal apartments with the famous dolphin frescoes and the fresco of the priest-king.

Awards and Press Reviews

• Quintessentially
• Conde Nast Johansens 2009 recommended
• Part of Great Hotels of the World
• Part of the Finest Hotels of the World
• Rolls Royce official sponsor