Blue Palace Elounda 

Timeless beauty

Perhaps Crete’s most famous address, Blue Palace was reimagined for 2024 yet remains gloriously and authentically Cretan.

With fewer than 50 light and airy bungalows and suites (many of which have private heated pools), Blue Palace is a refined luxury hotel with boutique proportions. But its diminutive size doesn’t mean it’s lacking in facilities – amid gardens of olive trees, bougainvillaea, and fragrant jasmine, you’ll find a softly-lit spa and two restaurants. If you want a third option, you can join the chef in the organic garden for a memorable communal dining experience. Days here can be spent in sun-splashed bliss, perhaps on a quiet patch of the private beach that has views of Spinalonga Island. If the sight of the islet piques your curiosity, hop over the water directly from the resort’s jetty aboard a traditional caique, stopping for a delicious picnic impeccably arranged by the hotel.

Why we love Blue Palace Elounda

  • There’s a considered approach to sustainability here, and guests have the chance to get hands-on and learn about how the hotel sources its food locally.

  • The farm-to-table concept means you’ll taste the freshest Cretan and Mediterranean flavours during your time here.

  • The resort’s experiential travel opportunities are delightful, from Greek cooking classes to touring pretty villages in a vintage Cadillac.

  • The atmosphere at Votsalo Bar at dusk is magical, where guests gather to order aperitivo on warm nights beneath starry skies.

5 stars
May - Oct
Crete
4 hours
An idyllic hillside spot, a short walk from the charming traditional fishing village of Plaka where you'll find local restaurants, bars and boutiques, and a short taxi ride from Elounda.
Approx. 1 hour's transfer from Heraklion airport
Sustainability, Villas, Beach, Honeymoon, Luxury, Spa, Wellness

This resort has earned internationally recognised certification that conform to standards set by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

Rooms

Facilities

  • Restaurants & bars
  • Board
  • Spas & wellness
  • Activities
  • Diving & Watersports
  • Sustainability
  • Families
  • Good to Know

Food is taken seriously here, but in a fuss-free, authentic way that champions the Cretan pantry and is distinctly seasonal in its approach. There’s an informality to eating at Blue Palace, particularly around the communal table at Phaea Farmer’s Pop Up. The blue gingham tablecloths at Blue Door Taverna evoke a nostalgia as you feast on fresh fish, and at Anthos, you can expect a menu that draws on the local herbs and spices that bring timeless Cretan dishes to life.

Blue Door
Facing the water, this classic Greek taverna was once an old fisherman’s stone house and now serves fresh fish using long-held family recipes.

Anthos
Farm-to-table Cretan cuisine is the focus at this charming al fresco spot, with a seasonal menu using ingredients from the hotel’s organic garden, accompanied by idyllic views over the Aegean and isle of Spinalonga.

Phāea Farmers Feast Pop Up
Set in an organic garden, this interactive experience allows guests to handpick ingredients with the chef, then dine on dishes around a communal table.

Votsalo Bar
The perfect al fresco setting for an expertly mixed cocktail with a gorgeous Cretan backdrop.

The Phaea Farmer’s Feast Pop Up is unmissable – a dining experience in the organic garden where guests handpick the ingredients that are incorporated into exceptional dishes.

Whats Included

Breakfast at Anthos by the pool

Meditation and yoga are part of the fabric of Blue Palace’s approach, and you’ll find session times on the daily activity calendar. You can also slip away to one of the two treatment rooms to indulge in a bespoke ritual. As calming as all this sounds, that’s not all that’s on offer — there’s also a traditional gym with a view across the gardens with outdoor spaces for a workout, too.

Step aboard the traditional 'caique' fishing boat for a romantic cruise, take an excursion to the island of Spinalonga, head out on a hiking trip or go Cretan olive oil and wine tasting a.

The Watersports Centre has water skiing, wakeboarding, snorkelling and windsurfing. Dive masters offer scuba lessons and will take guests on boat and night dives. Down on the sand which is lapped by crystal clear waters, a beach service crew will deliver the latest magazines and fresh towels direct to your sun lounger.

The hotel has a wide range of sustainability measures in place, from water-saving devices to responsible waste management, including food composting and converting food residues into animal feed for local farms. Look out for environmental awareness projects, such as beach clean-ups, tree planting, and garden tours to positively contribute to the local community and learn more about the resort’s sustainability efforts.

We love the thoughtful touches of children’s bathroom amenities and little bath robes that give children that sense of luxury. The choice of family rooms and suites is extensive – from interconnecting rooms to luxury suites and bungalows and villas with their own private pool.

Minimum stay: 3 nights 01 May-31 Oct.

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