BLUE PALACE, a Luxury Collection hotel recently celebrated its 20th anniversary in style, with attendees from across the globe gathering at the luxurious hotel site in sunny Crete.
It is celebrated as one of the island’s most prestigious hotels and adopts a family-run ethos with many of the staff having worked there since its opening. Eager to experience Cretan culture for the first time, I made my way there to see if it lived up to its luxury status.
The glittering Cretan coast by Blue Palace
Situated on the serene shores of Elounda, the Blue Palace sits on a steep incline overlooking a view of glittering waters.
I arrived late at night and settled into my spacious suite which boasted a simple relaxed decor with subtle Mediterranean influences. The room offered a sea view, but I had to let my imagination fill in the gaps as it was dark. All I could see was a small private pool which stood illuminated in the dark, and I made a promise to myself to jump in first thing in the morning.
Breakfast at the hotel
After my morning swim, I took the scenic incline elevator down a few floors to the restaurant which served breakfast, and continued to admire the view whilst sipping on a strong black Greek coffee.
Spinalonga Island sits directly opposite the hotel, and you can see the ruins of the beautiful Venetian fortress from the rooms and restaurants. Boat excursions can be taken to tour the island close up, but I opted to stay and enjoy the on-site amenities given I was only staying for one night.
The view from the breakfast table
I took a long stroll after to burn off some of the delicious spinach filo pastries from breakfast. Luckily for me, I was quickly able to build up an appetite for lunch, as the hotel is built on a steep landscape. I admired the various plants and nature which lined the long paths which connected parts of the hotel.
A standout feature was the string of various sized olive trees which were planted by couples who got married at the venue. A member of staff told me that many of the couples return to the hotel years later to visit their tree, and they are offered the chance to make olive oil from the crop if it has grown enough over the years.
Fresh honey made on-site
The warm glow of Greek hospitality at Blue Palace is extended by the friendly staff, many of whom are local and have worked at the hotel for many years. Their knowledge of the area and inherent zest enhanced the stay.
For lunch, I enjoyed an al fresco meal under the shade of olive trees at the side of the hotel. I was served fresh local ingredients such as honey from the hotel’s bee farm and olive oil from local makers. After showing much enthusiasm towards the fragrant peppery olive oil served, a staff member told me that his family ran their own olive oil press, and gifted me a bottle of their oil.
Blue Palace Elounda, a Luxury Collection Resort
I spent the rest of the day relaxing by the pool, before preparing for the big 20th anniversary bash organised by the hotel. Guests gathered at the hotel’s outdoor terrace at sunset, where we enjoyed an array of signature cocktails and local wine from Lyrarakis Winery before dancing the night away celebrating the 20-year-long legacy of the hotel.
It was hard to bid farewell to the Blue Palace, and I couldn’t help but reflect on the incredible time I had experienced in just 24 hours. This hotel is ideal for those looking to experience unpretentious luxury with honest Cretan hospitality, and I can’t wait to return again and experience more of what the island has to offer!
by Katrina Mirpuri
For more information on how to book, please visit the Blue Palace Elounda, a Luxury Collection Resort website.