UPDATED FEB 2020. I love a good hotel and, the more I travel, the more I appreciate it when I find a hotel that just gets it right. In today’s post, I’m sharing a place that does just that. It’s a place that has all the little details in mind. A place that focuses on creating a total experience for their guests, not just a place to stay. And, for me, it’s a place that reminded me why I love to blog and travel. If you are thinking about planning a visit and looking for the best place to stay in Crete, then look no further. Let me introduce you to Eleonas Country Village.
Here’s The Best Place To Stay In Crete For An Authentic Experience
Disclaimer:
This post was written in partnership with Eleonas.
The setting
When you arrive at Eleonas, you’re transported into a Greek setting that looks straight out of a movie.
The gorgeous outdoor dining area is the first thing you see. It is here that you can sit with an iced coffee from the bar, under the shade of olive trees, and mountains lining the backdrop, surrounded by all sorts of plants in terra-cotta pots.
Side note, you seriously need to try a frappe because the Greek iced coffee situation is on another level of awesome!
It was a dreamy setting and the theme continued around the whole property.
Outdoor dining area at Eleonas Country Village
The cottages are away from the main dining area, and although it is only a short walk, if you have knee problems or just don’t like walking, you may want to mention that when you book so you can get a cottage close to the main area.
When it comes to the cottages, they make for an incredibly cozy home away from home and have all the amenities you need for your time there.
The small kitchenette even came stocked with Raki – a powerful liquor that is another must-try while you’re visiting Crete.
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Farmstay accommodation with farm-fresh souvenirs
One cool thing about Eleonas is that near the reception area is a small shop where you can buy local goods.
I came home with some olive oil soap and traditional local cheese – which tastes amazing by the way.
Make sure you leave a little room in your suitcase to get some goodies because they have all sorts of things like herbs, jams, oils, and skincare.
The owner, Manolis, is featured in my latest book “Your Vacation, My Office
” which profiles people who work in travel around the world to give you a behind the scenes look in their offices. It’s a must read if you want to know what it took to build this hotel into what it is today and add a personal touch to your visit.
Half board
Greek food has to be some of the best in the world and at Eleonas you can experience the best of it at the taverna on site.
I got the half-board option which included breakfast and dinner.
One cool thing is at breakfast you can learn to make a traditional Greek coffee where you brew the coffee in a small tray of heated sand. It takes a little time to brew so it’s not the most convenient but it was a fun and interesting thing to try.
Dinners in the taverna were my favorite though. With the half-board option, you get bread and olives, a starter, main course, and sweets and liquor to finish it all off.
I tried a bit of everything and all the dishes had authentic, homestyle cooking feel that was delicious every night.
Eleonas is definitely the best place to stay in Crete when it comes to the food!
A family-friendly place to stay
The people in Crete are extremely hospitable in general and the staff at Eleonas were no exception.
It was more than just good customer service, it was a welcoming nature that started from the top.
The owner, Manolis, could always be seen around the property and made time in the evening to greet people at dinner, ask about their day, and check if there was anything they needed.
The wait staff always greeted us with a smile and a ‘kalispera’. I never felt like a customer and that’s one thing I loved about Eleonas.
The atmosphere is certainly family-friendly.
There were a couple of families there while I was visiting and I always laughed at how all the kids would run to the playground and play with the others each night at dinner time.
They would run back to eat then run straight back out to the playground and seemed to be having a great time.
I actually wondered how they still had the energy to play after the day of sightseeing. There is also a pool on site which they seemed to love.
Things to do in Crete
There are a lot of activities to do while you’re a guest at Eleonas.
It’s the best place to stay in Crete if you want to delve into the local culture because they can arrange things like farm visits where you can even milk cows while touring a local farm, or cooking classes.
If you’d like a little relaxation, you can visit the spa. Or for getting out and about, there are many hiking trails, beaches, and historic sights all close by.
The staff at Eleonas also help guests plan itineraries and activities which I think is a really great feature so if you want the best tips, just ask them when you make your booking.
Other guides to help you plan your trip to Greece
For more information:
Visit the Eleonas website
Follow Eleonas on Facebook and Instagram
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