The chic Sentido Port Royal Villas & Spa is an exclusive getaway for couples, offering direct access to a beach cove, elegant dining settings, a full-service spa, a stylish hair and nail salon, lagoon pools, and a lazy river. There are 185 luxury bungalows with stylish details -- some with pools and sea views. The live entertainment from the nearby hotel, though, can be noisy and light sleepers might want to book rooms away from that side of the property.

The showstopper at this four-pearl hotel is the massive infinity-edge pool with a swim-up bar that offers stunning views of the sea and surrounding coast. There are two other outdoor pools, as well as an indoor pool in the spa area, plus guests have access to a private beach. The resort offers dining options with all-inclusive packages, several bars, sports' courts, and a kids' club. Its 254 mauve guest rooms are pleasant and have private furnished balconies -- some with gorgeous sea views. There are lots of steps to navigate on the sloped grounds, which might pose as a problem. There's not much in the immediate area and the nearest town of Kos is a 15-minute drive. For something in Kos town, check out Aqua Blu Boutique Hotel + Spa, an adult-only luxury hotel with topnotch features.

The 314-room Mitsis Alila Resort & Spa lives up to its motto of “modern and fresh,” with sleek white designs, international dining options in elegant settings, and luxurious indoor and outdoor pools. Families and couples have lots of activities to choose from including private beach access and water sport rentals, tennis and volleyball courts, and a beautiful spa with beauty and body treatments. There's a chic conference room and several PCs available for guest use. Rooms and suites have posh white furnishings, mini-fridges, and balconies; bungalows offer sea views and private pools. Travelers might also want to consider the Rodos Palladium.

Suited to families and couples alike, the attractive upper-middle-range Village Heights Golf Resort offers excellent value in a time-share style village resort. It has ample facilities including a mini-golf green, two restaurants (variety of meal plans available), two outdoor pools, two bars, and a decent spa. Its isolated hilly location gives beautiful sea and mountain views. Two hundred apartments are homey, and come with 40-inch TVs, DVD players, full kitchens, and furnished outdoor spaces with sea, mountain, or pool views. However, air-conditioning is centrally controlled. Good kids’ facilities, daily evening entertainment, a free shuttle to Hersonissos, and a cat cafe where guests look after local strays round out the features. Such well-maintained facilities and beautiful grounds are hard to top, but a similar option to consider is Amazones Village Suites.

The 215-room Mitsis Petit Palais is a no-frills hotel centrally located in the town of Rhodes, not far from the beach, with homey (if basic) decor, medieval surroundings, and a small outdoor pool area. The hotel primarily attracts couples (although there is a kids' pool) and has a classically decorated buffet restaurant and lobby bar, laundry services, a bridge room, and an Internet corner. Both all-inclusive and half-board rate options are available, and a number of guests come through European tour operators. The hotel's major downside is the lack of Wi-Fi in rooms and spotty Wi-Fi service in the lobby; the nearby Pearl Hotel has Wi-Fi in rooms and public areas.

The 680-room Creta Maris Beach Resort is an upscale all-inclusive
resort on the Aegean Sea, a 10-minute walk from Hersonissos village. While it's
not the luxury resort it bills itself as, it has a large beach, 14 swimming pools, a wealth of sports and activities, and several bars and
restaurants. Rooms are spacious and homey, with small terraces or balconies. Families are particularly welcome here, since the hotel features a wide range of kids' activities and facilities. The resort offers guests more services than the nearby Hersonissos Village Hotel,
and is comparable to the AKS Annabelle Beach Resort in overall quality, for travelers looking for other options.

The four-and-a-half-pearl La Marquise Luxury Resort Complex has beautiful spaces inside and out, and is divided into sections for a smaller resort feel. Sleek pools, water features, and beach access make the property feel like an oasis. All-inclusive and half-board plans -- for three well-reviewed restaurants and multiple bars -- provide convenience in dining. A quiet adult-only block of rooms and expansive spa appeal to couples, while a kids' club and sports facilities attract families. All 386 rooms have a lovely design with the convenience of kettles, mini-fridges, and safes. Those looking for a more intimate experience might try Spirit of the Knights Boutique Hotel, a historic six-room hotel in the city.

Across the street from the beach and a quick drive to Kos, the 110-room Diamond Deluxe Hotel is a romantic, four-pearl choice geared towards couples (there are activities for kids, too). Features include a stylish lagoon pool area, an upscale spa, a chic indoor pool, two elegant restaurants, three bars, and sports facilities. Luxe decor fills the rooms, all of which have balconies or terraces (some with sea views). However, there is a fee to use the gym, which is not the case at the nearby Aqua Blu Boutique Hotel and Spa, where guests can exercise as much as they want without worrying about extra fees.

The four-pearl Astir Odysseus Kos Resort and Spa is a large and attractive hotel on the northern coast of the island, an eight-minute drive from the town of Kos. All 337 rooms offer comfort and convenience with minibars, coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, and robes plus furnished balconies -- many with gorgeous vistas. Well-reviewed restaurants, all-inclusive packages, and a solid list of on-site amenities make it easy to spend days on-site. Multiple pools, a beach, and a spa provide options for relaxation, while sports facilities, exercise classes, and a game room offer more active diversions. A mini-club, playground, and wading pools make this a family-friendly option. Those looking for an escape from the energy of children should check out the adult-only and romantic Aqua Blu Boutique Hotel and Spa.

The 290-room Pegasos Beach Hotel -- with Pegasus designs interspersed throughout -- is an upper-middle-range Greek oasis for families and couples with a private Faliraki beach in short walking distance, three pools, and casual dining and cocktails at three bars. Rooms are large, with contemporary decor in chic neutrals with bright touches, and sea views from some balconies. Grounds are laced with landscaped lawns and palm trees, and stylish outdoor patios enable al fresco dining while overlooking the sea. Activities are readily available, from tennis to ping-pong. However, there is a fee for in-room Wi-Fi. For a hotel that offers free Wi-Fi in select rooms, try the Hotel Rodos Palladium Rhodes.

The upscale and chic 330-room Mitsis Faliraki Beach Hotel is surrounded by water, with a beautiful beach in walking distance, multiple pools for kids and adults, and a man-made lake at the entrance. The hotel offers international menu choices, including sushi, gelato, and crepes. Families are welcomed, and a kids' club is available. Plenty of sports, such as tennis and basketball, are offered, along with parasailing and volleyball at the beach. Rooms are contemporary with marble floors, sea views on-request, and (in some) private pools. The hotel doesn’t offer free in-room Wi-Fi. If that’s a problem, the Mitsis Alila Resort offers Wi-Fi at no charge.

The 450-room, upscale Pilot Beach Resort has facilities to suit every taste, though it's geared toward vacationing families. Four pristine pools, plus a kids' pool and wading pool, and a beautiful stretch of sandy beach top the list of features, with the elegant spa and variety of restaurants following. A kids’ club, sports facilities, and organized games keep little ones occupied. Guest rooms are basic compared to the rest of the hotel, but they all have outdoor spaces and flat-screen TVs, while higher-category rooms offer a more upscale experience. Pilot Beach Resort has it all, but those looking for a smaller, family-run feel might try Georgioupolis Beach Hotel in the nearby village.

The 344-room, three-pearl Aldemar Cretan Village is a family-friendly hotel located along a private beach. It offers a solid list of features for kids, including multiple pools, a waterslide, playground, kids’ club, separate buffet and eating area, and engaging activities. Adults appreciate the multiple restaurants, sports facilities, and stretch of beach -- though the rocky ocean floor is a challenge for some. Rooms have dated decor, but they're cheerful and outfitted with flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges. The surrounding area leaves little to do, so those preferring a livelier neighborhood should check out Silva Beach in Hersonissos, though on-site facilities are not as extensive.

This upper-middle-range, all-inclusive hotel stands out for its extensive list of features and beautiful, expansive grounds including a long, sandy beach. Two well-reviewed restaurants, multiple pools, a kids’ club with a playground, and many sporting facilities are on one side of the 150-acre property -- which does tend to get noisy. The other side houses 365 guest rooms with free Wi-Fi, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and balconies or patios. Interior spaces tend to be dated and bland, though some spaces have more up-to-date decor. Lyttos Beach Hotel has a lot to offer, but those looking for a location with more to do nearby may prefer the family-friendly Silva Beach in the village of Hersonissos.

Direct access to a beach with crystalline waters is a big draw at the adult-only, upper-middle-range Grand Bay Beach Resort, as is being 10 minutes on foot from Kolymbari's calm fishing village. Removed from Chania's crowds farther down the coast, a secluded feel pervades throughout cool interiors, sea-facing outdoor spaces, and sleek pools. The 75 rooms are pleasantly outfitted, with furnished outdoor spaces and modern (if a bit underwhelming) decor, however , there are fees for safes and Wi-Fi. Two restaurants, indoor and pool bars, and a gym round out amenities, while the no-kids policy means a relaxing atmosphere. Also bordering the water, the Amalthia Beach Resort is a good family alternative.