If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. It's hard to resist the sun-soaked appeal of the best beaches in Europe βeven more alluring is a stay that's an effortless barefoot stroll away from one of these prized spots. From small and secret hideaways on the harbor to sprawling resorts just steps from the water, here in no particular order, we round up the best beach hotels in Europe France, Spain, Italy, Greece, and the UK included. For even more European accommodations, see our edit of the best hotels across Europe.
Breakfast alone makes the trip to this chic little Greek island hotel on the west coast of Crete worthwhile. You could stay for a week and still not try everything: freshly baked spanakopita; orange cake; sesame cookies; Cretan yogurt with honey and nuts; mini barley rusks piled high with feta, olives ,and tomato.
All are served in the Moroccan-tiled dining room until a very Mediterranean a. Tables at the laid-back restaurant spill out past the swimming pool and down to a shallow, sandy beach, where the hotel has sun beds and umbrellas. There's a playroom if you want to keep toddlers out of the sun, and babysitters are on call in the evening.
Bedrooms in the low-rise, sugar cube-shaped building have perky, bright, color-blocked walls, and African-print Moroso stools adding a grown-up touch. The best are the deluxe sea-view studiosβfreshly revamped for this summerβwhere you can watch the sunset from your balcony and nod off to the sound of the waves. This is a feel-good hotel without any formality. Most of the staff have been around for years and many guests are regulars, which comes as no surprise as the place is astonishingly good value.
Owner Nikos Tsepetis, a self-confessed design junkie, has a black book packed with insider information about the best remote mountain villages and beaches in Crete , plus details on where to go in the lively Venetian harbor of Chania. Maxx Royal Kemer feels like a family-run boutique guesthouse rather than the colossal resort it is. This is largely due to the attentiveness of the staff and the warm smiles that greet guests at every turn. Premium rooms are paired with access to cabanas on the long beach and sleek chill-out areas facing the sparkling Mediterranean.
