




In short: Tripplo’s analysis covers a sample of 46 guest reviews of Daios Cove. Guests in the sample highlight Service & staff, Food & restaurants and The rooms. The most common complaints: Large number of children can be loud and disturbing when trying to relax.
Nested on a hillside overlooking its private bay on the North-East part of Crete, Daios Cove boasts 165 private sea-water pools a 2,500-m² spa, and luxurious rooms with spectacular views of the cove and the sea.
The elegantly designed Daios Cove rooms, suites and individual villas offer spacious living areas and marble-lined bathroom with separate bath tub and rain shower. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat screen TV, personalized pillow menu and coffee/tea maker.
At the Pangea guests can enjoy breakfast, overlooking the crystal waters of the cove. At night it turns to an International food bazaar with lots of International theme nights. A lighter fare is served at the Ocean Club. The Greek Tavern is set at the water's edge and proposes local specialties and daily fresh catch.
Recreational amenities at Daios Cove include 2 tennis courts, 2 outdoor pools, water sports, kids club, complimentary wireless Internet access and a 2,000-m² conference centre.
Daios Cove is 20 minutes from the fishing village of Elounda, 10 minutes from the cosmopolitan town of Agios Nikolaos and less than an hour from Heraklion International Airport.
Facts we have checked
- Private-pool rooms
- Full-size private pool
- Kids' club
- Kids' pool
- Family suites
- Babysitting
- Kids' menu
- Adults-only zone
- Own sea access
- Sunbeds or beach club
Tripplo's verdict, based on guest reviews
Tripplo’s analysis · Updated 10 October 2026 · How we review hotels
Daios Cove is best for beach days with the sand a few steps away. Guests give it good marks. Standout features include an amphitheatre setting around a private bay and 165 private sea-water pools. On the downside, the steep site relies heavily on a funicular and lifts. No pricing information is listed.
Guests score it 8.9 out of 10 — the average across the 53 hotels we list on Crete is 9.1.
Featured in our guides: 12 luxury spa hotels in Crete: The best in 2026, 11 luxury hotels with private pools in Crete: The best in 2026, 12 luxury beachfront hotels in Crete: The best in 2026
What Guests Loved
- The resort wraps around its own cove on Crete's northeast coast — Condé Nast Traveler lists it among the island's best luxury hotels.
- 165 rooms, suites and villas come with private sea-water pools — an unusually high share even for luxury Crete.
- A 2,500 m² spa — among Crete's largest
- Private sandy beach at the foot of the resort
Things to Consider
- The hillside amphitheatre design means constant level changes; the funicular helps, but mobility-limited guests should plan room location carefully.
- Remote from Agios Nikolaos nightlife and dining
Free PDF: what guests really say about Daios Cove
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- Pros and cons in every category guests mention
- The complaints that come up again and again
- Room guide and price analysis
- Alternatives worth comparing
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Should you book it?
Book it if you want
- Beach days with the sand a few steps away
- Guests who plan the day around the pool
- Travellers wanting the beach and pools in one place
Rooms & which one to pick
Our tip: Couples after privacy and a view should book the Deluxe Room with Sea View and Individual Pool (30 m², sleeps 2, individual pool, sea view), which gives your own pool without paying for suite-level space. Families or groups needing room to spread out should go for the Two-Bedroom Villa with Sea View and Private Pool (100 m², sleeps 6, private pool, sea view, two king beds), as it's the largest option with enough beds and space for six.
- Deluxe Room with Sea View1 king bedsleeps 230 m²Sea viewFree WiFiFlat-screen TVPersonalized pillow menu
- One Bedroom Suite with Sea View and Private Pool1 king bed, 1 sofa bedsleeps 450 m²Private poolSea viewFree WiFiLuxury amenities
- Deluxe Room with Sea View and Individual Pool1 king bedsleeps 230 m²Individual poolSea viewFree WiFiFlat-screen TV
- One-Bedroom Suite with Sea View1 king bed, 1 sofa bedsleeps 450 m²Sea viewFree WiFiLuxury amenities
- Waterfront One-Bedroom Villa with Sea View and Private Pool1 king bed, 1 sofa bedsleeps 480 m²Private poolWaterfrontFree WiFiLuxury amenities
- Two-Bedroom Villa with Sea View and Private Pool2 king bedssleeps 6100 m²Private poolSea viewFree WiFiLuxury amenities
- Two Bedroom Wellness Villa with Sea View and Private Pool2 king bedssleeps 6100 m²Private poolWellness amenitiesSea viewFree WiFi
- Premium Junior Suite with Private Pool1 king bedsleeps 240 m²Private poolLuxurious amenitiesFree WiFi
- Deluxe Junior Suite1 king bedsleeps 235 m²Luxurious amenitiesFree WiFi
- Deluxe Junior Suite with Individual Pool1 king bedsleeps 235 m²Individual poolFree WiFi
- The Collection Junior Suite Sea View1 king bed, 1 sofa bedsleeps 440 m²Sea viewLuxury amenitiesFree WiFi
- The Collection One Bedroom Suite Sea View1 king bed, 1 sofa bedsleeps 480 m²Sea viewLuxury amenitiesFree WiFi
Room types as listed on Booking.com; availability varies by date.
Prices at Daios Cove
When we last checked (7 October 2026), a 2-night stay for two adults cost from €767 in total (€384 per night).
Across our last 9 daily price checks, the nightly rate has ranged from €354 to €555.
Prices sampled daily by Tripplo for a two-adult stay about a month ahead, in EUR. Your dates may differ — use the price check to see live availability.
What guests say
Reviews from Google“Our stay at Daios Cove was truly unforgettable, and a big part of that was thanks to George Setekaouri and his incredible team. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with genuine warmth, kindness, and exceptional hospitality. Every member of the team made us feel valued and cared for throughout our stay. What made our experience even more special was that, after learning we were on our honeymoon, they surprised us with a complimentary upgrade to a beautiful suite. It was such a thoughtful gesture that made our honeymoon even more memorable. George’s professionalism, attention to detail, and sincere commitment to guest satisfaction are outstanding. It’s rare to experience this level of personalized service, and it truly sets Daios Cove apart. Thank you, George, and thank you to the entire team for making our honeymoon so special. We will always remember your kindness and can’t wait to return. Highly recommended!”
“I visited recently and really enjoyed it. The location is beautiful, and the bay has a lot to offer, with plenty of different activities to choose from. I especially recommend diving at the dive center right on the beach. I already have my diving certification and did my first night dive there. The diving instructors and dive guides were excellent. They explained everything perfectly and made me feel completely safe and well looked after. The equipment was in great condition, and everything had already been prepared in advance. The dive itself was fantastic, and I can highly recommend giving it a try here. Whether you are new to diving or already an experienced diver.”
“I had a lovely experience at Daios Cove. It is great for families, the food was excellent! I went with my husband and our daughter, it was her first holiday abroad. They have babysitting, kids club, amazing restaurants, live Djs. Honestly for us it was perfect! The private beach is amazing and so is the infinity pool that is also for families, it also have a little kids pool. We went through BA half board and it was perfect. Staff are great, the buffet chefs are amazing we loved the food and so many options. I highly recommend this hotel for families! We will certainly come back to this hotel! If you’re looking for a beautiful holiday with your family this is the one! So luxurious and beautiful!”
“Beautiful hotel but unfortunately terribly managed. The staff try their best but have no clue how to help guests. We saw a lost boy in the dining room and informed the staff - no response, they literally shrugged their shoulders. They close the pool at 6pm, the ideal time to enjoy it with less sun. Many of the staff don’t speak English well. Overall this is a 3 star hotel charging 5 star prices.”
“Daios Cove is truly an exceptional place and, without a doubt, one of those hotels you always want to come back to. The setting is absolutely stunning, the rooms are beautiful and, above all, the staff are remarkable. Throughout the resort, you can feel genuine warmth, great professionalism and constant attention to detail. What also makes Daios Cove so special is its atmosphere. It is a peaceful and deeply relaxing place where everyone can enjoy their holiday in their own way — whether travelling as a family, as a couple, with or without children. Despite the size and exceptional standards of the resort, you always feel that you have your own space. A very special thank you to the entire Beach House team, led by Nikos, as well as Arbi and Xrisa, dimitris... The service, kindness and quality of the food are outstanding, and every visit is a genuine pleasure. We would also like to thank Nikos and his team at the Taverna, as well as all the restaurant teams throughout the hotel. Breakfast deserves a special mention: it is exceptional, both in terms of quality and service, and George and his team do a remarkable job every morning. A huge thank you as well to Antonis, whose work behind the scenes and constant attention to the quality of the food and the overall dining experience can truly be felt throughout the resort. Finally, our thanks go to the wonderful reservations team, especially Dimitra, to everyone working behind the scenes in the offices, and to every single member of staff we met during our stay. Thanks also to Olivier for his kindness. The level of care, professionalism and genuine hospitality is truly remarkable. Daios Cove is not simply a luxury hotel — it is a place with a soul, made truly unique by the people who work there. Thank you to the entire Daios Cove team for making our stay so memorable. We are already looking forward to coming back!”
What guests actually say
Tripplo’s analysis uses a sample of 46 guest reviews. Texts may be shortened. Mentions are counted after automated classification and describe the sample, rather than every guest’s experience.
The sample follows how Booking.com and Google sort reviews, which puts satisfied guests first, so criticism is under-represented. Read the drawbacks below and the latest reviews on Booking.com before you book.
Food & restaurants
- +Food consistently praised as delicious and excellent
- +Pangea buffet exceeded expectations
- +Great variety, including buffet and restaurant dining
- +Chefs and food quality highlighted by families
”The food at the Pangea buffet exceeded our expectations.” — guest, translated
Service & staff
- +Staff repeatedly called amazing, attentive and professional
- +Specific staff members (George Setekaouri, Yanni, Manolis, Niko) praised by name
- +Guests felt genuinely welcomed with warmth and hospitality
”We were welcomed with genuine warmth, kindness, and exceptional hospitality.” — guest, translated
Pools, beach & aquapark
- +Dreamy pool and private beach frequently praised
- +Infinity pool suitable for families with a kids pool
- +Big, spacious pools mentioned by several guests
”A dreamy pool and beach, and a fantastic gym. Truly a wow experience!” — guest, translated
The rooms
- +Rooms described as spacious and comfortable
- +Some rooms feature a private pool facing the cove
- +Rooms kept clean and well maintained
”Room with a private pool facing the cove was excellent.” — guest, translated
Condition & cleanliness
- +Hotel described as beautiful, clean and very well maintained
- +Facilities and rooms noted as spotless
- +Relaxing atmosphere attributed to upkeep
- –Some wish for more complimentary fitness/wellness classes
”The hotel is beautiful, very clean, and well maintained.” — guest, translated
Location
- +Beautiful, amazing location often highlighted
- +Bay offers many activities including diving
- +Dive center located right on the beach
”The location is beautiful, and the bay has a lot to offer, with plenty of different activities.” — guest, translated
Noise levels
- +Some rooms described as very quiet
- –Large number of children can be loud and disturbing when trying to relax
”The amount of children at the resort... can be very loud and disturbing when you're trying to relax.” — guest, translated
Value for money are mentioned too rarely in the sample for an honest picture — we don't guess.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Daios Cove from the airport?
Daios Cove is 53 km from Heraklion Airport (HER).
How do guests rate Daios Cove?
Daios Cove is rated 4.6 out of 5 on Google, based on 1,596 reviews. On Booking.com it scores 8.9/10 from 352 guest reviews.
How many stars does Daios Cove have?
Daios Cove is a 5-star hotel.
What amenities does Daios Cove offer?
Daios Cove offers outdoor swimming pool, free parking, free Wifi, beachfront, family rooms and spa and wellness center.
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Vathi, Agios Nikolaos, 72100





