Ella Rocrita Places Crete on the Global Luxury Map
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Crete stands at the forefront of global luxury hospitality, as Ella Rocrita, one of the newest and most dynamic resorts of Ella Resorts, secured three major distinctions at the 2026 World Luxury Hotel Awards. The accolades in Luxury All-Inclusive Resort – Southern Europe, Luxury New Resort – Southern Europe, and Luxury Family Beach Resort – Greece reaffirm the island’s position as a Mediterranean destination defined by contemporary aesthetics, authentic experiences and elevated service quality.
Ella Rocrita’s success forms part of a broader international recognition for Ella Resorts, which received 12 distinctions across its portfolio in Crete (Ella Rocrita), Rhodes (Ella Helea, Ella Elissa) and Corfu (Ella Alkyna). In addition, the Group’s CEO, Kostis Sideris, was honoured with the CEO of the Year award, bringing the total number of distinctions to 13 and underscoring the strategic leadership that has shaped the brand’s evolution and international presence.
Kostis Sideris highlighted that “these awards are a meaningful recognition of the vision we share and, above all, of the people who bring it to life,” emphasising that Ella Resorts’ ambition has always been to create hospitality experiences that are “distinctive, personal and deeply connected to Greece.” His statement carries particular weight for Crete, where the Group continues to invest in infrastructure, talent and experiences that elevate the island’s profile within the global luxury market.
During the awards ceremony, Panos Almyrantis, Chief Operations & Commercial Officer of Ella Resorts and President of the European Hotel Managers Association (EHMA), reflected on the transformation of luxury hospitality over the past two decades. He noted that modern luxury is no longer defined by material opulence but by authenticity, personalisation, sustainability, wellbeing, and meaningful human connections. Despite technological advancements and the growing influence of artificial intelligence, “people remain at the heart of exceptional hospitality,” he said, underscoring the human-centric philosophy that defines Ella Resorts.
Crete is a strategic pillar in the Group’s development. With Ella Rocrita earning international acclaim and Ella Resorts strengthening its presence in major global forums, the company enhances the island’s reputation as a destination of high-quality, contemporary luxury. Investments in gastronomy, wellbeing, design and experiences rooted in the authenticity of place create added value for Crete, reinforcing its competitiveness in a global market seeking identity-driven experiences.
In this context, Ella Resorts participates as a sponsor of the 6th Pancretan Conference “Kriton Filoxenein”, taking place at the Lassithi Plateau on Saturday, 24 October 2026, under the theme “Authentic Hospitality Experience.” At the conference, Panos Almyrantis will deliver a keynote speech titled “From Hospitality to Emotion,” adding further depth to the dialogue on the future of Cretan hospitality.
With resorts in Crete (Ella Rocrita), Rhodes (Ella Helea, Ella Elissa) and Corfu (Ella Alkyna), Ella Resorts continues to shape a new expression of Greek luxury—one that blends contemporary design, culinary creativity, wellbeing and experiences that highlight the character of each destination. The 2026 World Luxury Hotel Awards mark another milestone in this journey, reaffirming Crete’s central role in a global narrative of authentic, modern and high-quality Greek hospitality.
