Honestly, most people heading to Elounda just look for the biggest pool or the most famous celebrity hotspot. They miss the point. If you’ve spent any time researching the Mirabello Bay area, you know it’s packed with high-end options, but Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa does something a bit different that usually catches people off guard. It isn't just another marble-clad hotel.
It’s steep. Like, really steep.
The resort is carved into a hillside in Plaka, overlooking the Spinalonga islet. Because of that incline, the architects had to get creative. Instead of a massive, monolithic building that blocks the view, they went with a tiered design. This means almost every single room gets a private pool. That’s not a gimmick; it’s a design necessity that turned into a massive perk for anyone who hates sharing a communal splash zone with strangers.
The Spinalonga Factor and Why Location Matters
You can't talk about Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa without mentioning Spinalonga. It’s right there. You see it from your bed, from the gym, and definitely from the outdoor terrace of the restaurants. For those who haven't brushed up on their history, Spinalonga was a leper colony until 1957. It’s a hauntingly beautiful place.
Staying at Cayo gives you a front-row seat to that history, but without the tourist crowds of Agios Nikolaos. You’re in Plaka. It’s quieter. It’s a tiny fishing village at the bottom of the hill where the water is so clear it looks fake. Most guests take the resort's shuttle down to the private beach area, but walking it is better if your knees can handle the descent. It gives you a chance to smell the wild thyme and oregano growing on the cliffs.
The vibe here is "eco-chic," though that term feels a bit overused lately. What it actually means at Cayo is that they used a lot of local stone. The colors are muted—think greys, soft ochre, and sage green—so the building sort of disappears into the mountain when you look at it from the sea.
What the Rooms are Really Like (and the Funicular)
Let’s talk about the funicular. Since the resort is vertical, there’s a little cable car that takes you up and down the levels. It’s slow. If you’re in a rush to get to breakfast, you might find it annoying, but it’s part of the charm. It feels like a tiny mountain railway.
The rooms? They are minimalist. If you like gold leaf and heavy velvet curtains, you’ll hate it here. This is high-end Greek modernism. The "Exclusive" part of the name comes from the space. You get a lot of it. The entry-level rooms are larger than most suites in Athens or Heraklion.
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One thing people often overlook is the lighting design. At night, the whole resort glows. It’s not harsh floodlights; it’s subtle, warm LEDs that highlight the textures of the stone walls. It’s very intentional. Giannis Stylianidis, the architect behind the project, clearly wanted the stars to be the main event, not the hotel lights.
The Private Pool Situation
Is a private pool actually worth it? Usually, at other resorts, "private pool" means a tiny plunge pool where you can barely stretch your legs. At Cayo, the pools are decent. You can actually swim a couple of strokes. Plus, they are heated.
- Privacy levels: Because of the tiered layout, some pools are more "overlooked" than others. If you’re shy, ask for a room on the higher tiers.
- The View: You’re looking at the Aegean. It’s 180 degrees of blue.
- Maintenance: They actually clean them daily. You’d be surprised how many five-star spots skip this.
Eating Your Way Through the Hillside
Food is where most Cretan resorts fail by trying to be too international. They serve mediocre sushi when they should be serving lamb. Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa leans into the local stuff but keeps it polished.
Lefteris Lazaru is the name you need to know. He’s a Michelin-starred chef who consulted on the menus here. The flagship restaurant, Kelari, is where you go when you want to feel fancy. But honestly? The breakfast at Ambrosia is the sleeper hit. They have local honey that tastes like the flowers on the hillside, and the graviera cheese is legit.
The Enalia restaurant down by the water is better for lunch. It’s more relaxed. You can sit there in a linen cover-up, eat grilled octopus, and watch the boats go back and forth to Spinalonga. It’s peak Mediterranean lifestyle.
The Armonia Spa: Not Just for Facials
The spa is called Armonia, and it’s massive. They have a heated indoor pool, steam rooms, and a sauna. But the real reason to go is the treatments that use Cretan herbs. They use stuff like dittany of Crete, which supposedly heals everything from a cough to a broken heart.
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The gym is also surprisingly good. Most hotel gyms are an afterthought in a basement. This one has floor-to-ceiling windows. If you’re going to suffer on a treadmill, you might as well have a view of the sea while you do it.
Does it actually live up to the "Sustainable" label?
Sustainability is a big buzzword in 2026, and Cayo tries harder than most. They have a massive focus on energy efficiency because cooling a glass-heavy resort in the Greek summer is an environmental nightmare. They use a high-tech heat recovery system where the heat generated by the air conditioning is used to warm the water for the pools and showers. It’s smart engineering that most guests never see.
Why This Isn't for Everyone
Look, if you want a party, go to Hersonissos. If you want a massive sandy beach right outside your door, go to Falassarna. Cayo is tucked away. It’s for people who want to disappear for a week.
It’s also not ideal for people with mobility issues. Yes, there is the funicular and elevators, but the whole layout is built on a slope. It involves a lot of walking on inclines. It’s also quite windy. The Mirabello Bay gets the Meltemi winds in the summer. It keeps you cool, but it can be loud at night if you leave your balcony doors open.
Practical Steps for Your Trip
If you're actually planning to book, don't just click the first link on a booking site.
- Check the Ferry Schedule: Most people fly into Heraklion (HER). It’s about a 60-to-75-minute drive. If you’re coming from another island, the ferries can be unpredictable. Give yourself a buffer.
- Rent a Car: Don't rely on taxis. They are expensive in Crete. Having a car lets you drive to the Lassithi Plateau or find hidden beaches like Voulisma, which is only 20 minutes away.
- Book Kelari in Advance: It’s a small restaurant. If the resort is full, you won't get a table on a whim.
- The Plaka Walk: Take the time to walk into the village of Plaka at night. It’s about a 10-minute stroll. There are local tavernas there that offer a different vibe—plastic chairs, house wine in tin carafes, and fresh fish caught that morning. It complements the luxury of the resort perfectly.
- Room Choice: If you want the best photos, the "Superior Sea View Room" is the sweet spot for value versus view. The villas are incredible if you're traveling as a group, offering multiple levels and more privacy.
The reality of Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa is that it feels like a very expensive, very well-designed house that happens to have a full staff and a Michelin-level kitchen. It’s less about being "seen" and more about seeing the landscape.
Pack more linen than you think you need. Bring a good book about Greek myths—reading about the gods while looking at that specific patch of blue water just hits differently. Skip the heavy luggage if you can; the funicular is great, but navigating the stone paths is much easier with a carry-on.
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Focus on the sunset from the terrace. That’s the real reason you’re there. Everything else—the high-thread-count sheets, the designer furniture, the private pool—is just a bonus to the main event: the view of a sunken history in the middle of the bay.