Many individuals believe holidaying in all-inclusive resorts will be too costly. This goes for some couples too, who will avoid all-inclusive resorts for their wedding at all costs, pun intended! Of course, each wedding package cost may differ depending on the venue, the size of the wedding party, and other such details. However, destination weddings tend to cost less than traditional ones closer to home and Crete has a good range of affordable all-inclusive wedding packages in resorts all over the island. By making a single payment for all wedding services, couples are spared of having to calculate and monitor their budget. This helps keep small costs from piling up and the need to estimate and acquire price quotes from caterers, waiters, musicians, florists, and marriage officiants is eliminated. Most resorts have an experienced staff body that is knowledgeable in hosting weddings and will incorporate your style, taste, and preferences into your ceremony and reception, customizing everything from seating to design and menus to meet your wedding concept. Here are five luxury resorts in Crete with breath-taking views and excellent wedding services.
Kalypso Cretan Village Resort & Spa
Plakias is located 30 kilometres south of Rethymnon, on the south shore of the island. This area is ideal for those seeking a peaceful and restful vacation and wedding. Plakias and its charming shoreline has become a haven for couples wishing to get away from crowded, popular tourist destinations. This is where you can find Kalypso Cretan Village Resort & Spa, a luxury resort constructed into a natural port overlooking Karavos beach. The resort has elegant rooms, a variety of swimming pools, a tennis court, a spa, and many other amenities to ensure its guests have everything they need for a relaxing holiday and wedding. Kalypso’s restaurant, has panoramic views of the Libyan Sea, and serves fresh seafood, authentic Greek and international cuisine, all made with local fresh organic ingredients. It also has several bars where wedding guests can relax and enjoy the resort’s stunning views. For those wedding guests looking for an active holiday, there is a diving centre on the resort’s premise where guests can partake in water sports, snorkelling or diving. Plakias Beach is a half-mile away from the resort, and the famous Preveli beach with its natural palm tree groves and monastery, are also a short distance away from the resort, giving guests much to see and do in the area.
Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas
Elounda is a great place to escape to, a short distance from Crete’s busy city Heraklion. With fishing towns, beautiful beaches, luxury resorts and wildlife preserves, a fortress and a former leprosy colony, there is a lot to see and do in Elounda. Wedding parties can enjoy their time lounging on the many beautiful beaches in the area all which have crystal clear and clean waters to swim in. The beach of Plaka, situated in a sheltered bay called Mirabello Bay about 5 km from Elounda, has beautiful deep blue waters and the view from its harbour is spectacular. The small island of Spinalonga, where lepers were quarantined until 1957, is directly in its view. The area’s peaceful atmosphere and its large choice of luxury accommodation, attract thousands of couples each year. The oceanfront Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas, a Member of the Leading Hotels of the World, has tennis courts, basketball and volleyball courts, an outdoor swimming pool with seawater, as well as a spa centre that offers various treatments. It also has a gym, hammam, and sauna. There is a range of restaurants in this resort featuring foreign and Mediterranean cuisine, as well as several bars with views of Mirabello Bay. The accommodation comes in the form of elegant rooms, suites and villas nestled away in the resort’s gardens. For guests looking to do some sightseeing in the area, there are many organised trips to various historical landmarks such as Knossos Palace and other nearby attractions such as the town of Aghios Nikolaos and Chrissi Island.
Blue Palace Resort
If you and your wedding party are looking for a large, luxury resort in a lovely location which ticks all the boxes then you might look into Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort. Like Elounda Beach Hotels and Villas, it is located on the shore of Elounda. The resort is on a slope leading towards the sea and offers luxury accommodation, fine dining, a grand spa and good access to swimming pools (including an infinity pool), as well as a private beach. The accommodation it offers comes in the form of premium suites, villas and bungalows, all with spectacular views of the islet of Spinalonga. Some rooms come with their own private swimming pool and some even with a private section of the beach. The resort’s restaurants offer state of the art local and international cuisine, made with fresh local ingredients and are situated on different levels, with panoramic views of the Aegean Sea on the highest level and oceanfront views on the lowest.
Iberostar Creta Panorama & Mare
Panormo is a settlement 20 kilometres east of Rethymnon on the way to Heraklion. It is a lovely traditional village with cobblestone streets and sandy beaches, a nice fishing harbour, and has a good range of traditional Greek tavernas. The Iberostar Creta Panorama & Mare resort is approximately 4 kilometres from Panormo and 18 kilometres from Rethymno and has stunning views of the Aegean Sea. The resort is a beautiful and tranquil complex with many swimming pools, a spa and wellness centre, and several restaurants that serve Italian, traditional Greek and international cuisine. This facility hosts a variety of activities that can be enjoyed by wedding guests such as golf tournaments, volleyball matches and billiard evenings. The resort also offers a range of water sport entertainment such as canoeing and water-skiing. It has various types of accommodation including premium suites with sea views and bungalows with garden views, which are ideal for wedding guests.
Abaton Island Resort & Spa
Chersonissos village, located 25 kilometres north of Heraklion on Crete’s northern coast, is one of the most prominent Cretan beach resorts and a popular tourist attraction. Along its coastline, there are several restaurants and stores, and the harbour, which was built on top of a historic Roman seaport, contains ancient remains that can still be seen beneath the water. The luxury Abaton Island Resort and Spa is located on Chersonissos’ shoreline and offers breath-taking sea views. This five-star resort is large and set within well-kept grounds. The resort offers luxurious and beautiful accommodations in the form of rooms, suites, and villas, most which come with their own patio, pool, and hot tub. The resort’s world class spa offers guests a variety of invigorating and cleansing spa treatments. On its extensive grounds, there are numerous restaurants, including an Ivy League restaurant, a seafood restaurant, and a steakhouse, all of which serve top-notch local and foreign cuisine to suit all preferences. The resort includes numerous bars with colourful aperitifs and innovative drinks where you can unwind, rest, and watch the sun set in total bliss!
These are five of many exquisite resorts in Crete that make ideal wedding venues. If a wedding in a luxury resort on Crete is what you and your special other half are set on, the Luxury Wedding’s team of expert wedding planners can guide you to just the right one for you, for a unforgettable wedding experience.
