A serene Cretan home away from home!
What bliss to spend the first heatwave of the summer at a seaside resort and more specifically inside the private pool of a maisonette-style suite facing an idyllic coast that stretches a few metres away. Talking about the Royal Blue Resort & Spa, a destination designed to be a luxurious Cretan home away from home, stylish and serene. Its ambiance, which resembles that of an elegant seaside village, invites you to completely let go and treat yourself to a much-deserved getaway!


Although the word “blue” stands out in the name of the resort, the first thing you see when you arrive at The Royal Blue is a vast all-white terrace. White lounges, butterfly armchairs, and a panoramic view welcome all the guests. Yet, wherever you choose to look, there is the dominant “royal blue” of the Cretan waters that the veranda overlooks. The same airy and elegant style is found in the interiors of the rooms. The highlight is the private garden of the beachfront suites with a cozy rattan lounge, sunbeds and the most inviting private pool, one of the biggest Ι have experienced in swim-up rooms.



Authentically Cretan
There is something truly original about the pampering offered at The Royal Blue and this can be easily attributed to the fact that behind the project is a big traditional Cretan family that aims to uphold and highlight the idiosyncrasies of the Cretan way of life through hospitality. It all started with George Troulis, the visionary patriarch who was able to foresee the prospects of tourism at a blessed region such as Crete.
Some years later his descendants, all involved in separate sections of the family business, aiming higher, have emerged as key players in hospitality in one of the most sought-after destinations of the world, the island of Crete also known as Megalonisos i.e. ‘the big island’.
All members of the family contribute to the perfection of your experience. During my stay at The Royal Blue, I was happy to observe this big Greek family sitting all together at long tables, enjoying the facilities and of course getting involved in every aspect of theirs guests’ treatment.
Their mission? To leave their own mark on the island’s hospitality map with an expanded portfolio of truly unique, hand-picked resorts and hotels.
One day at The Royal Blue



Although it’s not easy to depart from the heavenly bedding situation of The Royal Blue suite (imagine a huge bed with a cloud-like mattress and a view directly to the blue sea, on the second floor of the room), there is the hotel’s breakfast extravaganza that will lure you to step out of the room. Once you manage to do so, the breakfast buffet adequately compensates you. Eggs of your preference made on the spot, Cretan specialties, refreshing smoothies and a plethora of other delicacies are among those offered at the Symposium, the main restaurant of the resort strategically placed at a privileged spot with a view.



Having amassed enough courage to move on and try more of the choices offered after a most fulfilling breakfast, we are faced with a multitude of dilemmas. Shall I visit the private bay, shall I prefer the wild beach next to the hotel’s organized one? Shall I swim in the huge central pool with the comfy sunbeds? Should I return to my private pool for some more precious me time, grapes in hand?
Whatever you pick, one thing is certain. You must be at the resort at sunset time! Sunset at The Royal Blue is a spectacle you are going to remember for a long time. We were told that on a clear day the unobstructed view of the sunset in the Cretan pelagos can be a unique experience. So we opted for the most suitable spot to observe this “miracle”.



You can enjoy the sunset either at the bar Thea (named after the Greek word for “view” for obvious reasons) or at the restaurant Alati by the central pool, where we chose to indulge in a seafood dinner and white wine during the dusk extravaganza!
Of course, there are more options for gastronomy lovers! Right at the heart of the resort, Elia restaurant is a rustic à-la-carte gem with a big, open oven where all the culinary magic takes place. Underneath the starry night sky and overlooking the marina, at Cave restaurant, an exquisite dining experience awaits. The finest selection of freshly caught seafood from the plentiful Aegean sea is served with a unique selection of locally sourced wines from the island’s excellent small wine producers.
A stroll by the sea at a promenade along with the seafront suites or on the pathways of the peaceful resort, sipping a cocktail at the veranda with the piano live show, or a drink under the starlit sky in the privacy of your garden is a fitting end to a really relaxing day.
And this is how you dive right into the carefree Mediterranean lifestyle time! Hours well spent under the warm Cretan sky with all the privacy and the comfort that your heart desires, courtesy of the unique Royal Blue!