Different from what, exactly?
- Different from the Crete where yiayia stares at you until you finish your plate?
- Different from the Crete where someone fires gunshots at weddings “for happiness?”
- Different from the Crete where you buy raki, olives, and a combat-grade knife from the same store?
- Different from the Crete where the waiter refuses to let you pay because “you are family now?”
If INNSiDE Elounda truly promises a “different” Crete, we can only assume they are offering:
- sunsets without someone’s uncle yelling “OPA,”
- beaches without a single screaming toddler,
- raki that doesn’t erase your short-term memory,
- and maybe—just maybe—roads without goats blocking traffic.
In other words: the Crete that exists only in brochures, travel fantasies, and the optimistic dreams of hotel PR departments.
But do not worry.
The real Crete will still show up eventually. Usually, around the moment your car stops behind a line of sheep crossing the road.
INNSiDE by Meliá is arriving on the island on May 1, 2026, bringing stylish hospitality, infinity-pool perfection, and an attitude that says, “Yes, we’re modern. Yes, we’re fun. And yes, we even accept pets… within reason.”
The 5-star lifestyle resort — owned and operated by Zeus Hotels and part of the global Meliá Hotels International family — introduces the upbeat INNSiDE brand to the Greek islands for the very first time. Think bold design, creative comfort, curated books, and yoga mats that guests absolutely promise they will use every single morning before eventually giving up and going to the pool.
A Resort So Beautiful You’ll Consider Quitting Your Job
…but please don’t, because the hotel does not accept “dreams,” “manifestations,” or “manifesto-level financial delusion” as legal currency.
You will need your job to pay for:
- the room,
- the cocktails,
- the “one small souvenir” that becomes €140,
- and every poolside snack that somehow tastes better at sunset.
INNSiDE Elounda strongly encourages guests to remain employed until at least checkout.
INNSiDE Elounda features 86 spacious rooms, 18 with private pools, 70% with sea views, and 100% capable of making your other vacations feel inadequate.
Options include:
- The Loft – private pool, private terrace, private moment of superiority
- The Beach House – two bedrooms, private pool, curated book selection, and alarming levels of “We should just move here permanently.”
Sustainability is woven throughout — from energy-efficient systems to support for local producers — meaning you can brag about eco-travel while drinking cocktails at noon.
Cretan Gastronomy Meets INNSiDE Energy
Two à la carte restaurants bring culinary joy to Elounda, including Calydon, curated by renowned chef Lefteris Soultatos. Expect elevated Greek classics, local wines, and dishes so beautiful you will hesitate to eat them for three seconds before devouring everything. The retro lobby bar and pool bar provide the necessary liquid encouragement to forget every email your boss ever sent.
The Pet Policy That Got Too Real Too Fast
INNSiDE Elounda proudly welcomes dogs of all sizes. Big dogs, tiny dogs, round dogs, opinionated dogs — all receive:
- fresh water,
- a welcome gift,
- their own in-room bed,
- and the right to silently judge your life choices.
However…
In the interest of public safety, staff safety, and preventing guests from reenacting scenes from wildlife documentaries, the resort gently clarifies the following:
Snakes are not permitted.
- Yes, even if they are “sweet,” “harmless,” or “only bite when annoyed.”
- The resort had to issue this clarification because someone asked (you know who).
- When the question was presented — “Would it be okay to bring my pet snake?” — management needed five full minutes to recover.
- The official response is:
- “We welcome pets, but preferably those who do not slither under the door at 2 a.m.”
Iguanas?
- Believe it or not, yes, an iguana could theoretically be accepted if it behaves itself, does not escape into the infinity pool, and agrees not to sunbathe on other guests’ suitcases.
- But guests are gently advised to contact the hotel in advance before introducing Elounda to Jurassic Park.
If in doubt, bring the dog. Crete understands dogs. Crete does not understand reptiles.
Wellness and Culture for People Who Like Balance
The dedicated fitness space, yoga sessions with sea views, and horizon-level pool provide multiple ways to look athletic even if your last workout was tying your shoes.
Guests can explore:
- Spinalonga Island
- Knossos Palace
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum
- Venetian Harbour with Koules Fortress
None of them within walking distance from the hotel. Nothing is.
Alternatively, guests can lie down and do nothing, which is the true Cretan cultural experience.
Other “nearby” attractions include Cretaquarium, Amazonas Park, and Labyrinth Park, ensuring families remain entertained and tired enough to sleep at night.
Perfect for Weddings, Parties, and People Who Want to Rent the Whole Resort
INNSiDE Elounda is built for celebrations. Weddings, private parties, corporate escapes, and even full buyouts are welcome. Just… once again… no snakes.
INNSiDE is Meliá Hotels International’s contemporary lifestyle brand, offering creative spaces, stylish comfort, and a suspiciously generous supply of yoga mats. INNSiDE Elounda marks the brand’s debut in the Greek islands.