Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, Crete

We stayed at PHĀEA Blu for three nights as our last stay on Crete. After 10 days of very active hiking, we were looking forward to a place to just unwind and we found it at PHĀEA Blu. The hotel overlooks a beautiful small bay and the village of Plaka, with Spirolonga island just offshore. Our initial room (714) was lovely-with a private pool and views over the bay, but unfortunately also came with noise from construction going on at an adjacent property where a new hotel is being built. When we mentioned this to the manager on site, Lina, it was handled with exceptional grace and professionalism. She apologized for our experience and immediately offered us a proposed resolution which enabled us to have a relaxing and peaceful stay. We loved the main heated pool as well, swimming daily, and sitting at the beach (there are golf carts to go down and back up the steep hill if desired), enjoying a nice drink, beach chairs, towels and light food options. The ocean, while colder than the pool, was refreshing and fun to swim in with easy access. We also enjoyed walking into Plaka for dinner one evening, and an exceptional meal at a local restaurant, Despina, in Elounda, recommended by the hotel concierge, Manos, who gave us many great recommendations. The hotel restaurant had an exceptional buffet and a la carte breakfast. We thought our dinner was good, but perhaps not quite as good as our dinners off property. A highlight was a trip to Spinolonga to see the history, including learning about its years as a colony for people living with leprosy. The hotel organized our boat trip to and from the island which was a bit more expensive, but worth the few extra Euros for convenience and flexibility. The biggest highlight for us really was the warm, caring staff who helped us feel so welcome.

The hotel is designed beautifully , stunning interiors. The most amazing thing about the hotel however is the staff and the level of service they commit to in every department, the beach , bars, restaurants, everywhere!. The food is amazing in both restaurants and Maria and her team take care of you so well, she is such a personality. The team at the Blue door on the beach are fun and passionate about the local food and wine. A special nod to Calliope on reception who is helpful and always making sure you are comfortable and enjoying your stay. The only downside was noise from adjacent building works which is out of their control and will stop when the work is complete, however the staff did all they could to overcome this issue. A very relaxing week, we have come back refreshed.

We stayed here for a few nights of relaxation. The hotel and its surroundings are beautiful; most of the areas have a direct line of sight to the bay and Spinalonga and the beach runs parallel with the island’s face. The staff is exceptionally friendly and helpful. The restaurants are good, if a little pricey. That’s offset by the free breakfasts, which had a nice spread as well as a la carte menu. Overall a pleasant experience in a quiet slice of Crete. The main downside in my experience was that there were a ton of bugs at night; we ended up getting a bunch mosquito bites while sitting at dinner. Perhaps it was just the time of year. Not sure if the hotel is able to do anything about that

First impression was wow ! The lobby is gorgeous and welcome drink is the best I’ve ever had. Check in was easy, I didn’t have to leave the couch, the check in lady came to me with an iPad and made the process very comfortable. My room was spacious , with a patio and heated pool, which was VERY much appreciated since the sea was on a colder side. I loved all the staff, especially all the ladies at check in who were fun to chat with and who recommended good restaurants. Speaking of food, the breakfast was A-MAZING with all those made from scratch pies and devine Greek yogurt and honey from Crete. Thank you Blue Palace for making my stay so enjoyable. Highly recommend this resort.

Blue Phaea in Crete was an exceptional stay for us, with top-tier service from start to finish. Located in a prime area, walking distance to vibrant spots, the hotel offered stunning scenery, clean facilities, and delicious food. We were here on a bit of work and a bit of pleasure. The entire staff truly went above and beyond to make our experience unforgettable. Maria was outstanding at breakfast, always ensuring our mornings started on the perfect note. Manos, the concierge, really knew his stuff—every recommendation he made was spot-on. Dimitrius deserves special mention for helping us with a night swim in the sea, making it a memorable experience. The whole team provided 5-star service, from the bell staff to the front desk. We couldn’t have asked for a better stay.