The Blue Palace- Crete, Greece
Hotel Overview by Anissa Taha @anissataha
During my stay at the BLUE PALACE, a LUXURY COLLECTION Resort, I didn't go out much to visit the place for lack of time, and yet ; I never discovered so much a place by staying at the hotel.
Fabulous, that's the word ! The BLUE PALACE offers an authentic Greek-Cretan experience, from the entrance with its architecture inspired by Crete's past and the influence of successive invaders, including the Arabs, the Ottomans and the Venetians, to the dessert with the typical dishes of the island.
The Cretan heritage that the hotel offers through its hospitality and amenities is the essence of redefined luxury.
The Resort, set on a coastal hillside in northeast Crete, is located between the old fishing village of Plaka, which has become a real must-see of the island, and the charming fishing village and port of Elounda.
BLUE PALACE blends in perfectly with the landscape thanks to its stone that was excavated from the site itself, while the rest of the colors were chosen from the stone palette. It has bungalows, suites and villas that all have a spectacular view of the Aegean Sea and the island of Spinalonga, rich in history.
Among the long list of facilities at the resort, I was able to try two types of breakfast, one at the OLEA, the most well-stocked buffet of all the 5-star resorts I've tried, and THE HAVEN BREAKFAST at ANTHOS RESTAURANT, a private gourmet breakfast served in an intimate, atypical and authentic place. The à la carte menu is seasonal and some of the food is local, others grown at the hotel itself by PHAEA FARMERS.
I could also test for the first time, a Wine Tasting. Not just any wine, but the most distinguished Greek and Cretan wines, white, rosé and red. To accompany the tasting, local cheeses and dried fruits. A wine specialist learned me to acquainted with the Greek grape varieties, unravelling the palette of Cretan wine flavors.
I was invited for an evening to discover "BLUE APERITIVO" an eclectic menu of cocktails at ARSENALI LOUNGE BAR, curated by Venice's legendary THE GRITTI PALACE. Just like Wine Tasting, to add to your list !
To end on this epicurean side, what better way than to get up and enjoy the traditional Cretan dishes of the BLUE DOOR ; An old fisherman's stone house, painted in the Greek tradition with blue doors, located by sea, on the private beach of the BLUE PALACE. A place where the dishes are real culinary treasures and transport you back in time. As a pescatarian, I was conquered like never before !
An experience not to be missed at the BLUE PALACE, the ELOUNDA SPA. It goes without saying that this place is ultra-relaxing for both eyes and mind, ideal to harmonize body and mind.
I have experienced the signature treatment, a Cretan Healing Therapy, deeply relaxing, tension releasing massage with the Mediterranean element of Cretan fig and olive oil.
CONTACT / BLUE PALACE, A LUXURY COLLECTION
Plaka, Elounda, Crete 72053 Greece
Tel: +30 2841 065500
bluepalaceresort.gr