Elounda

Spanish hotel chain Melia Hotels International seeks to further expand its portfolio in Greece and has reached a franchise agreement with its fifth hotel in the country.

The planned demolitions of illegal coastal constructions in Elounda on the island of Crete have been suspended after a decision by the local court of First instance. The suspension was ordered even though the relevant decisions have been final for more than 10 years.

The demolition of illegal constructions on the shores of the island of Crete was suspended on Thursday by the Lasithi Court of First Instance. More specifically, it halted four planned demolitions in Elounda, even though the relevant protocols were final. 

Investments in the development of tourism complex accommodation combining hospitality services and residences, available for sale or utilization, are increasing across Greece, with three projects set to see construction start this year adding up to almost 1 billion euros.

Holidu, a search engine for vacation rentals, has launched a campaign to sell winter accommodation packages in Mediterranean destinations to Northern Europeans, and drafted a list of the 150 ideal cities for winter.

Almost 90 of them are in Spain, with Greece following with 31 destinations.

Immortalized in Victoria Hislop's award-winning novel, "The Island," the uninhabited islet of Spinalonga has a long and tragic past. Known by its grim epithet, the "island of the living dead," and nestled in the picturesque Elounda Bay of northeast Crete, the islet was home to one of Europe's last leper colonies, active from 1903 to 1957.

The German beauty is in Elounda

A new marina that can accommodate up to 202 yachts, including superyachts, is planned for Elounda, site of several hotel resorts on the island of Crete.

Part of the Elounda hills project, it will have a land area of 28,540 square meters, including service buildings for yacht passengers.

Renowned international travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler announced last week that Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, at Elounda in eastern Crete has been awarded a spot on its Gold List 2020 of Best Hotels and Resorts in Europe.

The implementation of another major tourism investment in Greece will get under way in about a year's time, as the 600-million-euro Elounda Hills project in eastern Crete has just taken another step in that direction.