Luxury, sun and delicacies at the Blue Palace, a Luxury Hotel Collection Resort

With the luggage packed and hopes in the heart and in mind, we were taking off from the Charleroi Airport to Heraklion where much higher temperatures were expecting us with a great sun, to replace the grey sky that was above us in Belgium. 3h30 later, we were walking out the plane on the Greek Heraklion Airport. We headed to the car rental agency and once in our car, we drove to the hotel.

Exceptional welcome and place

After half an hour of driving, we were reaching the Blue Palace, a wonderful hotel showcasing a wonderful style with warm and enchanting colours, far away from the traditional white hotel that Greece counts. The Blue Palace is perched on a hill, overlooking the whole bay and thus offering a splendid view on the Spinalonga Island.

A member of the hotel’s staff kindly greeted us and took care of our luggage, and even carefully drove our car to a safer place. The employees of the reception desk then proceeded to check us in, a slightly long check-in. However, the look of the main hall is of a rare beauty, which made us forget this waiting time.

An extensive visit

As the hotel is vertically laid out on the flank of the hill, overlooking the Cretan Sea, it is equipped with a funicular that connects the main hall with its nearby cocktail bar with the lower levels which contains the different room categories, the restaurants, the spa and, finally, the beach. We went downhill, and to our surprise the cabin had air conditioning. We headed to the beach.

We found there a terrace-bar boasting a relaxed and warm atmosphere, to then discover a large pebble beach on which sunbeds and parasols were laid out. A small pontoon allows guests to literally walk on water to the contemplate the sea and the wonderful Spinalonga Island, an island that looks as if it had been dropped there, between two landforms that enclose it, a peaceful haven both to admire and experience. We were then informed that a part of this beach is reserved to guests that stay in certain categories of superior rooms. There, gazebos furnished with sunbeds can be found.

We then walk across the different infrastructure: the spa, with a relaxing atmosphere, opens onto a large reception area to then propose a pool which then leads to care and massage rooms. We also saw a meeting point with games for children, such as a football table, darts, a billiard or even an air hockey table, all of such under the shades of a bridge above, which is ideal to prevent sunburns and to reduce the temperature. The ideal place where to share moments between friends and in family. We though regret the fact that the use of those facilities implies an additional cost.

The flawlessness of the Greek hospitality

The time had come for us to discover the different rooms of the Blue Palace, and we were not disappointed. Given the ideal position of the hotel, all of them offer a view on the sea. An undeniable privilege! Moreover, their decoration is sober, with wooden touches, a very pleasant earthy atmosphere. Many offer the space needed for families.

We finally discovered our own rooms, and what a surprise. A large surface area and plenty of luminosity. Careful not to sit or lay on it, or you will never get up from it for how comfortable they are. A living area is found next to the window bay door behind which the sea can be admired, and a low table on which welcome products were disposed: a small bottle of a Cretan alcohol and Greek biscuits with honey. The sliding door opens onto an infinity pool from which the Spinalonga Island can be admired.

And what about the gastronomy… A true delight! We ate at around 2 P.M. in the Italian restaurant, where everything is freshly made with local products: pizzas, vegetable salads, olive oil… And to end on a tasty note, a delicious tiramisu. Then, as the sun was setting, we went to eat at the Blue Taverna, a typically Greek restaurant where a series of dishes were expecting us, among which fresh fish, tsatsiki, fresh vegetable salads, hummus, and wonderful Greek desserts and pastries to end with.

A memorable stay

Short, but intense, we had a wonderful overview of the Blue Palace during our stay, a hotel that offers great calmness and an extraordinary architecture, all on the flank of a hill so to offer a splendid view on the sea and the Spinalonga Island. Let’s not forget the cuisine the hotel proposes that simply is delicious and unforgettable. Ideal for couples and small families, don’t hesitate to contact our Little Concierge teams who will gladly organise all your trip, from the take off to the landing.

Thank you Blue Palace, and thank you Little Guest !