Greek family-run hospitality group Mar-Bella Collection is heading to Crete for the first time. The brand, until now best known for its Corfu properties, has taken over the Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa in Plaka, Elounda, with a full relaunch planned for the 2027 season.

The resort sits in one of the island's most established luxury pockets, looking out over Spinalonga, the former fortress island and leper colony made famous by the novel "The Island". It spreads across 35,600 square metres and offers 117 rooms, suites and villas across 11 categories. Two details stand out for anyone eyeing a Greek island holiday here: every room comes with a sea view, and most have a private pool.

Mar-Bella Collection already runs MarBella, Nido and Avali on Corfu, plus Elix on the Greek mainland, so Cayo becomes its fifth property and first beyond those markets. Management says the plan is to bring the resort's service standards in line with the rest of the collection without sanding off the character that made it a hit with luxury travellers in the first place.

On-site, there's plenty to keep you put: five restaurants, three bars, a spa and a programme of activities ranging from hiking and cycling to cooking classes, private cruises and excursions to Spinalonga and the lively town of Agios Nikolaos. The resort also pitches itself at events, with a conference centre and wedding facilities.

A notable shift is coming for families. The group plans to introduce a proper family offering, with dedicated adults-only and family zones plus a new kids' club to sit alongside the existing playground. That dual structure should let couples keep their quiet corner while parents get genuine support, rather than the usual compromise.

For travellers, this is one to watch rather than book right now. With the reopening targeted for 2027, the resort may operate or refurbish in the meantime, so anyone planning an Elounda trip in the next couple of years should check the property's status before committing. If it lands as promised, though, it would give Crete a fresh five-star option that blends privacy, private pools and family-friendly design in a stretch of coast that already draws people back year after year. Plaka's waterfront tavernas and Elounda's harbour are minutes away, which helps if you want more than pool time from a stay.

Story credit: Hotel Designs