Luxury Analysis: Blue Palace Resort and Spa, Crete - A Comprehensive Appraisal
Nestled on the northeast coast of Crete, Blue Palace Resort & Spa offers a unique blend of luxury, culture, and natural beauty. With its high-ceilinged lobby modeled after a Venetian shipyard, glass-fronted suites with plunge pools, and a funicular for transportation, the resort exudes an air of opulence that is hard to match.
The resort caters to various tastes, offering accommodations ranging from 52 suites, four private villas, Island Luxury Suites with private infinity pools, and the three-bedroom Royal Blue Villa. For those seeking a taste of authentic Cretan cuisine, fresh seafood, Japanese plates, grilled farm-to-table plates, or an authentic Cretan tavern experience, the resort boasts dining options to suit every palate.
One of the resort's highlights is the Blue Door tavern, known for its blue painted chairs, checked tablecloths, live Greek music, Cretan food and wine, and convivial atmosphere. For those interested in exploring Crete's renowned wineries, opportunities abound while staying at Blue Palace Resort & Spa.
Crete is renowned for its diverse wineries and vineyards, offering both indigenous and international grape varieties, organic and traditional winemaking practices, and immersive tasting experiences. Some of the most popular wineries to visit for wine tasting in Crete include Douloufakis Winery, Manousakis Winery, Winery Stilianou, Anoskeli Winery & Olive Mill, Winery Dourakis, Karavitakis Winery, Domaine Paterianakis, Lyrarakis Winery, Kourkoulou Winery, and Pnevmatikakis Winery.
Guests at the Blue Palace Resort & Spa can also enjoy comprehensive spa packages at The Elounda Spa, which includes the Mindfulness program and the Thalasso Slimming program. The spa menu offers made-to-measure massage rituals, Valmont detox therapy, and the vitality of the glaciers collagen mask treatment. Thalassotherapy sessions at The Elounda Spa include hydro massage and cyclical jet sessions, recommended for enhancing the effectiveness of spa treatments.
For wine enthusiasts, George, the F&B manager at Blue Palace Resort & Spa, hosts Cretan wine tastings on traditional wooden fishing boats, providing insights into the differences in Crete's wines due to the region's sun and soil. Boat trips to Spinalonga, including Cretan wine tastings on traditional wooden caiques, are also available.
Visiting these wineries provides a comprehensive taste of Cretan viticulture and culture, with each offering a unique experience and product. Many guided tours are available, especially from Chania and Heraklion, that include visits to several wineries, olive mills, and distilleries for raki.
Blue Palace Resort & Spa's architecture is influenced by its Cretan history, with elements inspired by Venetian, Arab, and Ottoman styles. Guests can stroll along the coast to the blue and white artist village and harbor of Plaka, clamber up the rocky slopes between ancient ruins on Spinalonga, and set out from the resort's jetty for Cretan wine tasting on board a traditional Greek caïque.
Sadly, Blue Palace Resort & Spa is currently closed. Despite this, the resort remains a testament to the beauty and charm of Crete, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the experiences awaiting visitors when it reopens.
- The Blue Palace Resort & Spa, nestled on the northeast coast of Crete, showcases a blend of luxury and culture, boasting a unique architecture that combines Venetian, Arab, and Ottoman styles.
- The resort is an all-encompassing retreat for travelers, offering a range of accommodations from suites to private villas, catering to various lifestyles and preferences.
- The dining scene at Blue Palace Resort & Spa is diverse, accommodating guests who desire fresh seafood, Japanese plates, grilled farm-to-table dishes, or an authentic Cretan tavern experience, including the popular Blue Door tavern.
- For wine connoisseurs, Blue Palace Resort & Spa offers opportunities to explore Crete's renowned wineries, such as Douloufakis Winery, Manousakis Winery, and Lyrarakis Winery, providing immersive tasting experiences and insights into Cretan viticulture and culture.
- Aside from wine tastings, guests can indulge in wellness offerings at The Elounda Spa, with comprehensive spa packages, massage rituals, and thalassotherapy sessions designed for relaxation and rejuvenation.
- To fully appreciate Crete's wineries, guided tours are available from Chania and Heraklion, including visits to several wineries, olive mills, and distilleries for raki, providing a comprehensive taste of Cretan viticulture and culture.
- Visitors can also indulge in a unique experience of wine tasting on traditional wooden fishing boats or caiques, with boat trips to Spinalonga available from the resort's jetty, making Blue Palace Resort & Spa a Bohemian sanctuary within the heart of Crete's rich history, culture, and lifestyle.
