Follow me to Blue Palace Resort, a world of luxury, tranquil aesthetic and Greek elegance
Lately, there has been a debate among hotel-life lovers. Some say that they are done with all the clichés of 5-star resorts and they prefer more authentic approaches to hospitality, the ones which promote a natural and more spiritual way of life. What if, though, there were 5-star luxury resorts that can offer all the assets of an immaculate accommodation plus authentically heartfelt and warm hospitality, with emphasis on personalised preferences?
This is the rare but totally true case with the Blue Palace Resort at Elounda of Crete! The team of Blue Palace offers luxurious pampering all day round, executed by perfectly choreographed stuff. Talking about an experience that surpasses every expectation while at the same time genuine Cretan hospitality makes you feel you are in a friend’s house.
I don’t know how they do it but they do it! Wherever I went the weekend I was there, everyone seemed to know my name. This is a detail that makes much difference and assures you that you deserve and you get the best treatment while on vacation. A great feeling, indeed!
Spending a long weekend at Blue Palace Resort
The hotel’s team has obviously curated every little detail. As soon as we arrived, my daughter and I were guided to our suite. It was actually one of the “Ιsland Suites” that are named after Greek islands – ours was “Spetses Suite”- and are included in The Haven Collection of Blue Palace Resort, combined with an exclusive array of attentive services.
As soon as we got settled, we started exploring every little corner of the suite which features a private pool, beautiful spacious outdoor areas, amazing interiors in blue and white, design items and artful touches, all combined with the cultural legacy of Crete. Not to mention that the trademark view of Blue Palace Resort, the legendary isle of Spinalonga can be seen from almost everywhere in the suite. Magic! A “Haven gift” had been placed on the table, ready to spark some more joy to us! It was a bespoke gift box that included the famous book about Spinalonga history by Victoria Hislop “The Island”, and an eclectic selection of accessories made by beloved Greek brands.
We poured a sip of the raki with honey into our glasses and enjoyed the fruits from our basket, yet another welcome present also left for us in our suite, while gazing at our view. The journey had already started in the most Cretan way! And yes, you guessed right, we also tested the bed! Made up with the best luxury linens and pillows that feel soft against your skin the minute you settle in, it promised a restful, luxurious sleep experience.
It was not easy to leave Spetses Suite but we didn’t want to miss the beach experience either, so there we are, in our swimsuits, heading to The Beach Haven, the private section of the Blue Palace beach, reserved for the guests of The Haven Collection. The long, spacious sweep of the white pebble beach has been left au naturel. Its raw, Cretan beauty has merely been threaded with wooden walkways for bare feet to happily pad between the private lounging decks of the central beach. The aesthetic is driftwood elegance, indigenous charm, and bohemian luxury, all very good reasons to spend your whole day, and much of the evening, on the beach.
We chose an umbrella right on the waterfront and the crew of the beach hurried to arrange the sun beds for us, bringing a huge straw basket with all the beach essentials, thick towels, cool water bottles, and even sunscreens. And this was only the beginning.
We were sure that at Blue Palace Resort, we were about to enjoy an unsurpassed guest experience that sets a new standard in luxury. And this is exactly what happened in the next few days. So here are…
5 more reasons you will want to hurry back to Blue Palace Resort
The Arsenali
It’s the hotel’s signature image due to both the imposing architecture and the breathtaking view. The lobby – replica of the Venetian Arsenal of the city of Heraklion, ends at one of the most majestic verandas in Greece. There, at the Arsenali Lounge Bar the guests gather ceremoniously to toast the sunset while enjoying melodies from DJs and an eclectic menu of cocktails, curated by Venice’s legendary The Gritti Palace. This is the Blue Aperitivo time – a routine we enjoyed every evening during our stay. The Arsenali sunsets are now among our best summer memories!
The Blue Door
On my first day on the beach, I started strolling around the hotel gardens when I discovered an awesome place, a typical Greek taverna in its most beautiful version. It was the Blue Door. Once an old fisherman’s stone house, Blue Door is the ideal spot to taste timeless traditional Cretan cuisine which is what we did on the same night, enjoying also a marvelous view and several shots of raki!
The Spa
The Elounda Spa is a wellness world within the world of Blue Palace. It is the perfect place to take some time for you and revitalize. Inspired by the natural surroundings, the natural daylight coming in from the glass-walled ceiling infuses the space, creating a soothing ambiance – ideal to harmonize body and mind. A wide selection of bespoke treatments is created with premium spa products by luxury brands such as Valmont, Anne Semonin and Kos Paris. Furthermore, there are some more hues of blue for the visitor to count. So soothing!
Culinary hopping around Greece
Talking about the brilliant gastronomic events of restaurant Anthós during which guests experience the best culinary treats from around Greece created by Creative Consultant Chef, Athinagoras Kostakos and esteemed guest Greek Chefs. During my stay, I had the chance to enjoy a menu by a passionate Chef with love for meat-based meals, Chef Ioannis Beastalis who presented simple dishes infused with outstanding ingredients, and imaginative combinations.
The wine tasting on the boat
On our last afternoon at Blue Palace, we got on board with the hotel’s sommelier, to delight in a wine tasting of the island’s most celebrated wine varieties. With the breathtaking natural beauty of the Elounda coastline and Spinalonga island in the background, we traveled on the crystal-clear waters around the Mirabello Gulf and savored a selection of Cretan wines and a platter of cheese locally sourced from dairy farms. One more unforgettable experience before we caught our Aegean flight back to Athens!
I have to show you a lot more about Blue Palace Resort in Crete. Just click on the gallery below:
TheHotelTrotter.com is curated by greek journalist and fanatic hotel lover Eleni Stasinopoulou. With the eye of a fashion and lifestyle editor, Eleni hopes to inspire all connoisseurs of traveling, focusing on stylish hotel moments around the globe.
