Olive Green Hotel, Heraklion

Sustainable Tourism in Crete

Sustainable tourism is important to more than just travelers. Hoteliers have also understood the key role of environmental conservation and are learning to maximize natural resources.

Did you know you can enjoy a green experience in Crete at the Olive Green Hotel in the island’s capital?

Eco-Friendly Hotel

In the heart of the Cretan capital city of Heraklion, a hotel stands out with its sustainable concept. As the managers explained, the words in the hotel’s name are at the core of its philosophy.

Traditionally, Olives symbolize eternity, tranquility, and prosperity, an important part of the island’s identity. Green represents the hotel’s ecological character, which implements international sustainability criteria.

Olive Green is an intelligent proposal for the modern traveler. It is an eco-friendly structure that offers the best of both the modern and traditional worlds. State-of-the-art infrastructure comes hand in hand with the authentic flavor of Cretan culture.

Eco-Friendly Values

The Olive Green Hotel has been designed with three concepts in mind:

• Contemporary high-tech luxury,
• Cretan traditions,
• Respect for the environment.

A combination that proves a winning idea in every aspect. This is a 100 % eco-friendly building, working in perfect alignment with natural landscapes all around the area. Staying in such accommodation, you will be helping promote a philosophy of care and respect for our Natural resources.

Eco Values at the Olive Green Hotel

Olive Green Hotel complies with every new environmental regulation and is a leader in green technology, water, waste handling, and renewable energy sources.

Cost-saving initiatives such as solar panels, water management systems, and environmentally friendly materials make the hotel self-sufficient in power generation.

By staying in Olive Green, you will be part of an important project without disregarding top-class comfort for a minute.

This structure sets the standards for sustainable lodging in Crete and welcomes guests to participate in this new idea. During our stay, we were able to enjoy the difference.

Nature inspires everything: relaxing colors, light materials, and a touch of Cretan flavors welcomed us to live a completely different experience.

Everything looks refreshing and inspiring. The rooms are extremely modern, and the facilities are smart, designed for you to relax and enjoy every single detail.

Technological advances allow you to connect with the world. A tablet on your bedside table helps you fully control all the features in your room.

You can turn on the TV, the air conditioning, and even the lights. You can also use it to order room service or update your social media status!

For more sophistication, choose more comfort from the in-house pillow menu. Complimentary welcome presents, such as delightful boxes of local sweets, a bottle of local raki, olive oil, and Cretan rusks, are chic touches that will put you in the right mood.

Personal Touches

We shared connecting rooms with our kids, and it was comforting at its best. Every single detail was simply perfect. The children were happy to have an iPad to play with, but they also enjoyed the dedicated treats and treatment that Olive Green Hotel reserves for kids.

Federico was delighted to discover that, even if he almost fell asleep at the hotel’s restaurant because it was late, he would not miss the dessert, as it was promptly served in his room, courtesy of the accommodating staff.

Wake Up with a Smile: Liotrivi Breakfast Room

This chic urban area, made of brick, iron, and wood, is a welcoming environment that will help you kickstart your day in the right mood.

The colors are warm and soothing, and the delicacies on the many tables the buffet displays are more than inviting. Everything is local, authentic, and traditional.

The finest ingredients combined with the exclusive use of top-quality olive oil. As the hotel cook explained, nothing like bread, cakes, pastries, and pies are processed. All are hand-made from scratch.

As a result, you get genuine flavors, indigenous tastes, and many original ideas. Olives and Olive Oil have a special place at the Liotrivi. They are not only part of the area dècor, but it is also possible to enjoy olive oil demonstrations and tasting on some mornings (ask at the Reception).

Morning Sweets at the Olive Green Hotel

In my opinion, the corner dedicated to spoon sweets and homemade marmalades deserves a special paragraph. Amazing skill has gone into putting every fruit you can think of into a jar.

At the Olive Green Hotel, flavors are enhanced with a touch of mastery, and they can be enjoyed alone, with incredibly creamy local yogurt or on top of a variety of local bread and pastries.

About Heraklion

Indeed, one normally chooses Crete for its amazing beaches, and who wouldn’t? It’s an impressive place to be in for the summer holidays.

Still, I think there’s so much more to the island we shouldn’t miss, and Heraklion is one of those places. The city has much to offer, from museums to cultural events and festivals to nightlife and entertainment.

Parks, shops, impressive buildings, and stunning examples of architectural styles that vary from Venetian to Ottoman… and more. If you choose Heraklion for a city break, you give the island the status it deserves. Do not just choose Crete for its seaside. There’s plenty of choice for everyone.

You can explore the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, which has been classified as one of the best museums in the world (and it’s steps from the Olive Green Hotel).

Other interesting attractions include the Historical Museum of Crete, the Natural History Museum, and the Heraklion Museum of Visual Arts (METH). Remember also to check out historic sites, such as the Venetian Walls and the Tomb of Kazantzakis.

Review
I was a guest at the Olive Green Hotel on three occasions, yet all opinions remain, as usual, my own and unbiased. Thank you to all the management and staff for the care and service.

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Heraklion’s Olive Green Hotel

Gabi, the Crete Insider

Hi, I’m Gabi — your go-to local expert in Crete! I’ve been living in Chania, Crete since 2016, and I’ve turned my love for the island into a full-time passion — guiding travelers, writing for travel media, and curating local experiences.

I co-authored DK Eyewitness Top 10 Crete and other guides. I run the blogs The Tiny Book, Greece Planner, and My Cretan Recipe. Through this platform I help travelers design unforgettable trips to Crete.

👉 Read more about Crete Insider.