Elounda Beach boasts the distinction of having been the first luxury hotel in Greece in the 1970s . With over 50 years of history, it’s an iconic place. With its dream location on the shores of the Cretan Sea, its crystal-clear beach and landscaped gardens, the hotel is sure to please. It’s no coincidence, then, that Chenot chose the hotel as the location for a spa offering detox treatments based on the famous Chenot method. Pascal Languillon, CEO of Luxe Wellness Club, has tested it for you.
A golden location
The sun, the sea and a change of scenery are the main reasons why most tourists choose Crete as their destination. At Elounda Beach, we’ve got you covered! The historic hotel represents the authentic Crete that people want to see. Member of The Leading Hotels of The World, Elounda Beach seems to have been there forever.
I stayed there after a few nights in Daios Cove, not far from here. A radical change of atmosphere. Elounda Beach isn’t a hotel that surfs fashions and renews its design every year, and it has to be said that you feel like you’ve stepped back in time when you arrive in the reception room and see this antique furniture. Some might say it’s “dated” at first glance, while others might actually find the historical feel quite charming.
What I appreciated most of all, decoration aside, was the golden location of the hotel, which boasts an excellent beautiful private beach with turquoise waters, as well as a waterfront that stretches for several hundred meters and is lined with villas and suites for rent.
I loved the gardens, with their bougainvillea, palms and olive trees… A large communal swimming pool means you can take a dip when the sea is less inviting, but is that ever the case?
Beautiful waterfront rooms
My room was number 35, an Ambassador Junior Suite with seafront terrace. I loved it! Recently renovated, it combines great comfort with breathtaking views. I felt like I was on a boat, watching the sea glisten from my bed, shower or bathtub.
The bed is super cozy and it was a great pleasure to sink into it at night. Two private deckchairs are set below the room, and a ladder allows you to climb back up after many swims in crystal-clear water. Visibility around twenty metres, I think!
I had the opportunity to visit several room categories. I think that, budget permitting, we should give priority to those on the seafront rather than those a little way back in the spa building. However, I didn’t particularly like the style of the Yachting Villas, which were too out of step with the rest. If you are interested in this hotel, please contact me and I can guide you.
To finish describing my room, I also enjoyed a bubble bath looking out over the sea and a sumptuous breakfast served on my terrace (see below).
Le Spa Chenot
My main reason for staying at Elounda Beach was to try out the Chenot detox program on Crete. Indeed, I’m a specialist in the method, having already experienced it at the Chenot Palace Weggis in Switzerland, the Albereta in Italy, the Selman in Marrakech and the One&Only Portonovi in Montenegro.
A pleasant surprise: the spa is flooded with light and offers superb sea views . It’s the first time I’ve enjoyed Chenot hydrotherapy while looking out over the Grande Bleue. As for the treatments that form the backbone of the Chenot method, i.e. the trio of hydrotherapy, phyto-fangotherapy and hydrojets, I found the quality of these treatments to be excellent, in line with what I’ve experienced elsewhere.
The big added value I perceived at the Chenot spa at Elounda Beach, apart from the views and the light, was the exceptional quality of the therapist named Dinos. This masseur has demonstrated a deep understanding of human anatomy. He worked on the whole body, from calves to thighs, back to shoulders, each pressure seeming to guide my mind into a deeper state of relaxation. At the end of the session, I felt completely revitalized, as if every muscle and every joint had been reset. In short, if you go to Elounda, I recommend this therapist without hesitation.
Your choice: the Chenot biolight diet or traditional Greek cuisine
A Chenot detox means a diet! So I tested a biolight lunch for you. First course: fruit salad. This may come as a surprise, but the biolight diet recommends eating fruit at the beginning of the meal. These are followed by a seasoned salad, and then the main course: a very tasty asparagus risotto. The meal was good, and predictably light.
I had the opportunity to try out both the biolight diet and the traditional Greek cuisine on offer. I won’t hide the fact that I prefer the second option, but if you’re looking for a detox, there’s no secret to eating less 🙂
The best meal of my stay at the hotel was served in a restaurant that resembles a small tavern, Kafenion. The menu was a celebration of Cretan cuisine, featuring fresh, local ingredients. To start, I enjoyed a perfectly seasoned Greek salad of juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, salty black olives and creamy feta. Large shrimps with vegetables complete the appetizers. The highlight of the meal was undoubtedly the plate of souvlaki, marinated pork skewers grilled to perfection, accompanied by a refreshing tzatzíki. What a delight!
The Cretan breakfast I enjoyed on my terrace facing the sea was another highlight of my stay. The sunrise illuminated a table richly garnished with authentic dishes. In particular, I tried a slice of dakos, a slice of crusty barley bread topped with sun-ripened tomatoes and mizithra, a creamy, mild Cretan cheese. The whole dish was generously drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil, a key ingredient in the Cretan diet renowned for its health benefits.
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Our feeling
Elounda Beach is a historic hotel that retains a great deal of charm and allows you to experience authentic Crete. Its Chenot spa offers a fine detox program guided by highly skilled therapists.
Luxe Wellness Club
Book Elounda Beach
Take advantage of our expertise in wellness breaks and contact us for a personalized quote for Elounda Beach.
Rates : From around 200 euros per night in low season. Chenot programs from 3,000 euros.
Call us for the USA: +1 (646) 980 6652 or for the UK: +44 20 4577 3258 to discuss your holiday plans.
