Eva Mare Hotel & Suites - Adults only

You will be understood in English by the hotel team, and the website also caters for German- and Greek-speaking guests. Eva Mare Hotel & Suites is an adults-only base in Agia Pelagia, aimed more at couples and grown-up travellers than at families with small children.

The tone is straightforward: a seasonal freshwater pool, a garden, a sun terrace and places to sit outside. Air conditioning, soundproofing and a private bathroom matter more than decorative promises when you return tired, salty and ready for a shower. The hotel has been welcoming guests since 1978.

There is a restaurant, a pool bar and an indoor bar, so your evening does not depend entirely on finding a taverna elsewhere. You can stay close to the hotel, or use it as a base for exploring the north coast of Crete.

The address is in Psaromoura, Agia Pelagia, on the north coast of Crete. Psaromoura Beach is about 0.1 miles away, with sand, sun loungers and umbrellas. Mononaftis Beach is about 0.25 miles away on foot, while Agia Pelagia Beach is about 0.6 miles away by road.

The hotel sits by the sea rather than in the centre of the village. Agia Pelagia centre is about 0.6 miles away, and the surrounding area is made up of small beaches and green hills rather than city traffic. That gives you several swimming options without turning every shore visit into a road trip.

For a land-based change of scene, Palaiokastro is about 5 miles away by road and the El Greco Museum about 7 miles away. Heraklion International Airport is roughly 16 miles from the hotel, with access by car via the E75 and the road down into Agia Pelagia.

The room choice makes a real difference here. For two people, take a sea-view room if the view is part of why you are coming to Crete; choose the balcony option if having your own outdoor space matters more than looking directly over the bay. The suites give you more room to spread out, with a sofa bed for a third adult, while the larger house is the practical choice for a group of up to five adults.

Every room has air conditioning, a private bathroom, soundproofing and either a balcony or terrace. A refrigerator and electric kettle are useful details when you want cold water and a quick drink without heading straight back to the bar. Outdoor furniture gives you somewhere to sit before dinner or while the day finally cools down.

The Deluxe Suite with Spa Bath adds a private bath feature, while the sea-view suite is the one to consider when the outlook matters more than the extra bathroom detail. Upper floors are reached by stairs only, so keep that in mind when choosing a room after a full day on your feet.

YAMAS handles breakfast, lunch and dinner outdoors, with local and Mediterranean cooking prepared by the chef and her team. Breakfast starts at 7:30am and includes coffee and tea, bread, croissants, cakes, fruit, yoghurt, cereals, eggs, ham, cheese, vegetables and olives. It is described as a served menu, with continental choices and local specialities rather than a bare coffee-and-toast operation.

ALL DAY covers breakfast, lunch and dinner from 11:00am until midnight. That gives you a useful place to eat when your dive day runs on its own timetable, although the available details do not promise continuous snack service outside those meals. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.

There are two bars. Jasmin sits beside the pool and serves refreshments, snacks, ice creams, coffee, drinks and cocktails, with a veranda overlooking Agia Pelagia bay. The Indoor Bar gives you a second place to settle in when you have had enough sun.

The freshwater outdoor pool is at the centre of the hotel, with sun loungers and umbrellas available for guests. Pool and beach towels are also provided. It is the obvious place to spend an unhurried afternoon when you have decided that another excursion would be poor judgement.

For a little more movement, the fitness room is available to guests. The hotel also offers massage treatments, which is the more appealing option when your shoulders have spent the day carrying cylinders and your idea of exercise has already been thoroughly tested underwater.

The evening programme can include DJ nights, wine tasting and cocktail nights. If you want to leave the hotel, excursions cover Knossos Palace, Heraklion Port, Crete Aquarium and Agia Pelagia centre. Happy hour and themed dinner nights are also available at the property.

Check-in runs from 3:00pm to midnight, and you need to give the hotel your expected arrival time. Check-out is by 11:00am. A 24-hour reception, luggage storage and a wake-up service are useful if your travel day starts early or ends late.

Free private parking is available on site, with no reservation needed. Car hire is available through the hotel, which is worth considering if you want to reach beaches and sights beyond Agia Pelagia. The drive from Heraklion International Airport is about 16 miles; the final approach follows a narrow road towards Psaromoura Beach.

Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. The property is adults-only, the minimum age for check-in is 18, and children, cots and extra beds are not accommodated. Cash, Visa and Mastercard are accepted.