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An expert guide to the best five-star hotels in Crete, including the top places to stay for magnificent ocean views, private infinity pools, design-led interiors, shady beaches, peaceful spas and fun activities in locations including Chania, Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, Platanias, Heraklion and Georgioupolis.

This stylish, hip design hotel is set on its own stretch of sandy beach and is close to some of Crete's best beaches, including the pink sand beach of Elafonisi. It is modelled on the domes of nearby Chania’s Venetian shipyard and has high ceilings and adobe-style walls, which lead on to high-domed rooms and suites clustered around two large pools, one of which has a swim up bar and stunning sea views. DJs play chilled house music by the pool, bean bags are scattered on the beach and open-air fitness classes are held for guests. The spa has a plunge pool, steam room and sauna facilities, and offers a range of treatments. Read expert reviewFrom£147

• The best Greek Island hotels

This luxurious, family-friendly hotel is set on a hillside with panoramic views to Spinalonga. You know you’re in for a good experience at this blissfully well-serviced hotel when the staff swoop out to take your luggage and hand you a glass of mastiha-infused lemonade the minute you arrive. There are several public pools, including one that’s just for adults, a beach shaded by olive trees with plenty of sunbeds and a small spa with an indoor pool and sauna/steam room. Treatments include the resort’s signature Cretan therapy using local herbs. There are also spa treatments for kids. Rooms, suites and villas are decorated in a playful Art Deco style with china cockatoos, gold washbasins and other pops of colour. Read expert reviewFrom£206

• The best family-friendly hotels in Greece

This elegant five-star resort is just opposite an extensive sandy beach and close to Kournas, Crete's only lake. The focal point of the resort is a large outdoor freshwater pool surrounded by lagoons, and peppered with different relaxation areas equipped with daybeds and sun loungers. There's a spa with an indoor pool and sauna, and a first-rate range of treatments, including a blissfully relaxing olive oil and raki massage. Rooms come in deluxe, family, maisonette, bungalows and – very roomy – suites, all with choice of pool or sea views. They all have gleaming white and khaki fixtures and fittings, with pops of colour in cushions and covers, and some rather superfluous rococo features. Some suites and bungalows also have shared or private pools. Read expert reviewFrom£118

• The best all-inclusive hotels in Greece

Amirandes is a stylish resort that boasts its own Picasso collection and is fringed by a long sandy beach. A stunning Olympic-sized sea water pool with lovely over-water gazebos is a major attraction here, as is the carefully tended strip of lawn near the beach lined with sunbeds. It has several classy restaurants built around a vast lagoon that prettily mirrors the resort's lights at night. The beach bar is best for sunset cocktails (order a herb-infused gin and tonic) but there's more action at the pool bar, where a DJ plays Eighties hits. The gardens and paths are dotted with large fibreglass animals, and staff wearing Greek-goddess-style flowing robes. A small but pleasant spa with indoor pool has a team of Keralan therapists to deliver Ayurveda treatments for adults and kids. Read expert reviewFrom£253

• The best beach hotels in Greece

Breathtaking views of the Cretan Sea and island of Spinalonga are a highlight of this modern, whitewashed resort overlooking a private beach. Contemporary cool mixes with traditional touches, such as pebble mosaics, clay roofs and wood shutters. Suites and bungalows are dotted around the pretty palm and olive-tree-filled gardens. This is a large hotel with good facilities including a spa with hammam and sauna, PADI dive centre, tennis courts and plenty of children’s activities. Many of the rooms have private plunge pools of varying sizes. The Island Luxury Suite Sea View is perfect for romantics: it has a four-poster bed, egg-shaped bath, patio with loungers and large pool. The Grand Villa boasts a private sauna, massage area, gym and two pools.Read expert reviewFrom£319

• The best luxury hotels in Crete

Close to the region's winding coast road, Daios Cove resort sits in a natural amphitheatre that descends to a private sandy beach. The complex's five levels are served by a funicular, which transports guests between the lobby, restaurants and the resort's heated outdoor pool. Other facilities include two tennis courts, several other outdoor pools and a spa with a Finnish sauna, indoor pool, hydro-massage facilities and treatments. Every one of the resort's rooms, suites and villas have wall-to-ceiling windows with views over the dazzling, clear waters of Vathi Bay. Larger suites have private sea-view terraces and plunge pools. Despite its size, this Greek-hamlet-style resort is very low-key and friendly service lends a distinct village ambiance.Read expert reviewFrom£394

• The best all-inclusive hotels in Greece

Sizeable, stone-walled villas are surrounded by carefully tended shrubs and flowers, well-watered lawns, restaurants with stunning sea views, a smart, glass-walled spa and lovely extra touches including the little Cretan museum in the Ayeri restaurant. The pools are dotted around the grounds and the resort has a tennis court and well-equipped spa. Classic rooms are comfortable, with large balconies. Spacious classic and deluxe bungalows have a terrace and a strip of lawn with sun loungers to soak up sea or sunset views. Some suites and bungalows share medium-sized pools and larger suites for five people have small plunge pools, but the luxury seafront suites have larger pools designed for swimming.Read expert reviewFrom£105

• The best Greek Island hotels

The resort is situated along a glittering swathe of seafront and is close to the lively town of Agios Nikolaos. It is nestled among lush greenery and overlooks an enchanting bay. The vibe is rather self-consciously 'laidback boho'. Bean bags are scattered on stone jetties along the seafront, sculptures are dotted around the property and artworks feature in reception. A long stone-paved walkway punctuated by jetties loops along the extensive seafront and gives views over the bay. Walt Disney stayed here in 1963 whilst filming Moonspinners and since then the resort has been a haven for art-loving celebrities. Two small sandy beaches lapped by warm shallow water are ideal for tots. Read expert review

• The best beach hotels in Greece

The Sensimar Minos Palace overlooks its own stretch of rocky beach and is known for its panoramic views. The sea views, which can be seen from every angle of this hotel, are stunning. Narrow paths, buried in a manicured tangle of greenery, lead down to a wild and lovely stretch of rocky coastline. The jewel in the crown is the large, saltwater infinity pool, surrounded by plenty of day beds, sun loungers and bean bags. There's a bijou spa with several treatment rooms. Décor is modern (swinging chairs in reception, bean bags by the pool) with soothing chocolate and raspberry colour schemes. The ambience is laid-back and vaguely Bohemian, without taking itself too seriously. Couples can be found reading by the pool during the day and relaxing at the bar in the evening.Read expert reviewFrom£179

• The best family-friendly hotels in Greece