Nice resort Heraklion side of Crete

[Anjelika]

Flew to Chania a few years ago and stayed near Rethymnon which we loved. Would love to go back but fly into Heraklion and stay that side of the island. Any recommendations for nice resorts? Will hire a car but would be good to be near a town with nice shops and restaurants to visit of an evening.

Elounda.. it is absolutely lovely.. boat trips to Spinalonga.. great restaurants.. lovely vibe.. can't wait to go back 😊

Just be warned Heraklion is possibly the worst airport in the world. We don't go via there anymore due to its sheer crap-ness.

Agree with Elounda.

Also agree with Elounda

We stayed in Chersonissos (between Heraklion and Malia ) in October. It has a strip but is less 'lads on tour' than Malia; the old village is beautiful too.

Agia Pelagia was lovely, warmest sea I've ever swum in.

I loved The Island hotel

Agree with the Elounda suggestions.
Lovely!

@Babysharkdoodoodood

Just be warned Heraklion is possibly the worst airport in the world. We don't go via there anymore due to its sheer crap-ness.

Ohhh no I'm due to go in June I think that's the airport too.

St Nicolas Bay resort.

Elounda and St Nicolas are (or certainly were) always rated the top 2 hotels in Crete.

Elounda is nice.

We went to Daios Cove a few years ago which was amazing! It has its own beach and many rooms with their own pool. It’s a little out of Agios Nikolaos which is a fab town. We hired a car and went to Elounda, Heraklion and Malia and personally preferred Agios Nikolaos.

Agree with PP saying that Chania airport is much more pleasant than Heraklion

The centurion part is one of my most favourite places on earth. Just lovely.

@Babysharkdoodoodood

Just be warned Heraklion is possibly the worst airport in the world. We don't go via there anymore due to its sheer crap-ness.

That's very funny. We are going back to Crete in the summer and are going back via ferry to Athens specifically to not have to fly out of Heraklion! And also to go to Athens, though..

The airport at Heraklion has been expanded and renovated in the recent years. It's better now but still not great. I would also second Agia Pelagia, especially for families. It has lots of cafes, restaurants, the bay is not affected by strong winds and the surrounding beaches are lovely.

Thanks for all the suggestions. As a family of 5 we usually get a villa as 2 rooms in a hotel or apartment block cost about the same but looking at them, prices have gone up immensely. If anyone knows of anything in the Elounda area please feel free to PM me. Happy to return the favour of anyone is looking for somewhere similar in Rhodes.

Have a look at the Elounda Krini Hotel or the Elounda Garden Suites - they used to be managed / owned by the same company. Small, family run options with inter-connecting rooms / family suites.