The impact of crystal size and textural properties of *BEA-type zeolites in the conversion of ethanol-to hydrocarbons at 350 degrees C and under 3.0 MPa pressure is investigated. Three *BEA zeolites (molar ratio Si/Al of ca. 23) with important differences concerning their textural properties are synthesized: a material constituted of micron-sized crystals and two hierarchical porous zeolites with a mesoporous network created either by the aggregation of nanometer-sized crystals or by the use of a gemini-type quaternary ammonium surfactant given a nano-sponge zeolite. The micrometric zeolite favors the formation of polyaromatic molecules in same proportion than the concentration of Bronsted acid sites. The deactivation mode of acid sites is poisoning rather than pore blocking. The short thickness of crystal in the nano-sponge zeolite combined with its low acidity, limit the growth of coke molecules as well as their accumulation inside micropores. Coke precursors (alkylbenzenes) are adsorbed on many silanol group located in the ordered mesopores, but the extreme downsizing of the zeolite crystal leads to an unexpected pore blocking by these light molecules. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.