Phaea Blue Palace

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....

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.

Haven on earth! For those who know old Blue Palace, the new Phea Blue Palace keeps the same distinct quality and exceptional location but with a more intimate vibe. The design is superb. We did not realise before that that side of the old hotel was so green and lush,...

Haven on earth! For those who know old Blue Palace, the new Phea Blue Palace keeps the same distinct quality and exceptional location but with a more intimate vibe. The design is superb. We did not realise before that that side of the old hotel was so green and lush, the garden is an oasis of calm and the service remains the distinctive quality of this place, the entire personnel is extraordinary. We just missed the very big swimming pool by the beach and the other beach-side bar and restaurant but we understand this is temporary the time the other side of the hotel will be redone and reopen. Already looking forward to the next year’s trip to this Crete oasis.

Our first trip to Crete and we were fortunate in finding such a special hotel. An amazing location, truly outstanding quality and service with the most attentive, friendly and helpful staff. It is quiet and serene, the pool area is delightful, the private beach is stunning. The rooms are luxurious...

Our first trip to Crete and we were fortunate in finding such a special hotel. An amazing location, truly outstanding quality and service with the most attentive, friendly and helpful staff. It is quiet and serene, the pool area is delightful, the private beach is stunning. The rooms are luxurious with excellent amenities. Breakfast each morning was a veritable feast. The beautiful village of Plaka is a three minute walk away with its bars and restaurants. We had a small issue day one but this was quickly and effectively dealt with by the excellent Lina and her team. Cannot recommend more highly.

This hotel is fabulous and comes highly recommended. It is in a beautiful location/setting. Very friendly and helpful staff. Maria and her Team in the restaurant are fabulous. It is the perfect place to stay if you are thinking of going to Spinalonga too.

My husband and I had an absolutely amazing stay at the Phae Blue Palace soon after it's re-opening as a luxury boutique hotel. We didn't know the previous version of this hotel to compare to but we loved the "new" version, with all the thoughtful gestures towards sustainability and efforts...

My husband and I had an absolutely amazing stay at the Phae Blue Palace soon after it's re-opening as a luxury boutique hotel. We didn't know the previous version of this hotel to compare to but we loved the "new" version, with all the thoughtful gestures towards sustainability and efforts to integrate with Cretan culture & foods, etc - whilst still maintaining the quality and personalised service you expect from a 5-star place. Yes, it's a smaller "boutique" property and OK, it hasn't got 18 restaurants and 6 pools and golf course and helipad and watersports centre with giant slide - blah-blah-blah - but that doesn't mean that the experience is any less luxurious. If anything, the smaller size means you feel like the staff really treat you as individuals (even friends!) rather than just another dollar sign with a room number attached. The location is sublime with the views to Spinalonga Island; sunset dinners at the Blue Door Taverna on the beach are just magical and lots of local attractions are within easy driving or boating distance. You can also do daytrips to several other parts of Crete easily. We made a daytrip to the Omalos Plateau & Diktamos (Zeus) cave one day and climbed to the top of the mountains (high enough that everything was covered in a freezing mist!) and were back in time for a lovely dinner in the main restaurant. (Yes, there were roadworks/building work for the sister site going on while we were there but it honestly wasn't that much of a hassle. You just had to look more than once each way before driving out of the hotel property onto the road and we weren't disturbed by the noise at all.) The thing that really set the Phae Blue Palace apart for us was the staff, who were all wonderful. They really embodied the Greek value of "philoxenia" - all the smiles felt genuine and they really seemed delighted to help you enjoy Crete as much as possible. In particular, I need to mention Lina Stratsiou (Front Office Manager) who was INCREDIBLE - even months before we arrived in Crete, the level of effort & attention to detail she showed as we corresponded via email was just unbelievable. She was so patient with my endless questions and itinerary changes, and her messages felt heartfelt and genuine, not just slick, stock responses. When we finally arrived at the hotel, we received such a warm personal welcome from her - it felt like meeting a lovely penpal at last or something! But all the staff were amazing. We have stayed in a lot of luxury hotels in many countries and while they all have perfectly trained staff, this is one of the few places where it felt authentic and not sycophantic. Unfortunately, I can't remember the names of all the lovely people who made us feel so welcome but in addition to Lina, I'd like to say a special thank you to Stavroula, Maria & her team in the main restarant Anthos and the charming Haris (manager of the Blue Door Taverna), who took great pride in providing top service but in a way that felt (again!) so genuine and heartfelt. (And we really enjoyed hearing his personal accounts of Cretan life...) (My only TINY quibble was that I was desperate to sample some "tiganites" and was disappointed to be told each morning that it wasn't available, even though it was on the breakfast menu. But that really is a minor blip in the overall scheme of things!) Really, with that gorgeous setting and the luxury amenities, it's not hard to have an amazing stay but it was the staff made it an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The hotel has recently been refurbished and the staff are exceptionally welcoming. The quality of the Anthos restaurant is exceptional as is the cheaper Blue Door Taverna down by the beach. The food in both is sensational. The one thing which seems incongruous and out of character with such a...

The hotel has recently been refurbished and the staff are exceptionally welcoming. The quality of the Anthos restaurant is exceptional as is the cheaper Blue Door Taverna down by the beach. The food in both is sensational. The one thing which seems incongruous and out of character with such a high class hotel is the high volume touristic piped music played down by the poolside. It's too loud to concentrate on your book, or anything else for that matter. It changes the ambience from classy five star hotel to cheap package holiday. It has driven us from the pool to the tranquility of our balcony and private plunge pool. It seems to be repelling other guests, resulting in a lovely pool with spectacular views being deserted. The music is so obviously wrong it has driven me to fire up the TripAdvisor app and write my first review in some five years. Please turn down the music, even better turn it off. You come to a hotel like this for the peace and seclusion. There is no peace at the poolside, hence this review.

We arrived looking forward to our fourth visit to the Blue Palace unaware that it was closed for renovation and refurbishment and that we were in fact staying at the Phaea Blue Palace Boutique Hotel situated in the same grounds as the original hotel. We had visited this part of...

We arrived looking forward to our fourth visit to the Blue Palace unaware that it was closed for renovation and refurbishment and that we were in fact staying at the Phaea Blue Palace Boutique Hotel situated in the same grounds as the original hotel. We had visited this part of the resort in the past to eat at the Asian/fusion restaurant. Our stay has been amazing meeting lots of staff from the old Blue Palace and some new faces. The kindness friendliness and hospitality of the staff at this hotel from every level of employment could not be bettered. The food and wine at the Anthos and Blue Door restaurants was delicious the view from our room was perfect overlooking the bluest sea and Spinalonga ( our initial reason for visiting the Blue Palace Hotel six years ago). The hotel has a wonderfully calm feel throughout and is set in large beautifully kept gardens. Buggies were available at all times to take us to the beach or the kerb to walk (five minutes) into Plaka and a quick WhatsApp message later and a buggy was waiting to bring us back to our room. Trips to Knossos were arranged for guests and games arranged for the younger guests. We had always loved the old Blue Palace hotel and its staff but being a much smaller hotel this time we were made even more aware of how wonderful the staff are and how they all make the Blue Palace Boutique Hotel a first choice holiday destination for us. Thank you all-Manager Konstantinos Rokos, Manos ,Maria,Anna, and Stavros who looks after everyone on the beautiful beach ( where towels water and even sun cream are complimentary). We can’t wait to return..

This was our third time at the Blue Palace Hotel and we were full of expectation. At first we were a little confused, as the concept had been fundamentally changed and half of the previous area had been separated off. At first it looked like a building site and disappointment....

This was our third time at the Blue Palace Hotel and we were full of expectation. At first we were a little confused, as the concept had been fundamentally changed and half of the previous area had been separated off. At first it looked like a building site and disappointment. But that changed quickly. The hotel has become quieter, clearer and more exclusive. The new concept has become more sustainable and, in a positive sense, more authentic. The staff are highly professional, friendly and hospitable. The rooms are well-kept and tastefully furnished. The cuisine in the Anthos and Blue Door restaurants is excellent and the grounds are lovingly maintained. In short: the hotel has won with the new concept and is highly recommended in every respect. If you are looking for a luxurious, relaxing holiday with peace and quiet in a paradisiacal setting, this is the place for you. We will definitely be back.

Great place to relax an be spoiled by wonderful staff and adorable service! We came here for the third time and were thrilled to stay at one of the ocean view suites. We will come back for sure and will try to stay at the same room 😇🤗 Weather was...

Great place to relax an be spoiled by wonderful staff and adorable service! We came here for the third time and were thrilled to stay at one of the ocean view suites. We will come back for sure and will try to stay at the same room 😇🤗 Weather was fantastic and the ocean fresh and nice to swim in. Great food at Athos and Blue Door taverna … enjoy!

The Phaea Blue Palace provides a wonderful overall experience in a superb location. Its facilities: the rooms; the restaurants; the bars; the spa; the grounds; and the beach are all outstanding. Each, immaculately well-kept and looked after. The décor is understated and entirely appropriate to the ambience the hotel succeeds...

The Phaea Blue Palace provides a wonderful overall experience in a superb location. Its facilities: the rooms; the restaurants; the bars; the spa; the grounds; and the beach are all outstanding. Each, immaculately well-kept and looked after. The décor is understated and entirely appropriate to the ambience the hotel succeeds in creating. The food is of the highest standard and each restaurant confers its own character on the menus. The cocktail menu includes numerous unique mixes and the wine list is extensive. It includes a wide variety of local vintages with the staff always happy to advise on selection. The pop up Farmers' restaurant in the organic garden serving traditional cuisine is a feast to behold and certainly should not be missed. The facilities are excellent, but it is the staff that make staying at this hotel an experience significantly above similar luxury establishments. Every department goes out of their way to look after you. We interacted with Housekeeping, Restaurants, Bars, Beach, Spa, Reception, Maintenance as well as the Management. In every case we received that same caring attitude from employees who are clearly proud of their hotel. This made all the difference to our stay with them and we fully intend to return.

I had previously been a guest of Blue Palace (2022 & 2023) and just came back from my first stay at Phāea Blue Palace. As I had heard about all the changes I was eager to find out how that would translate and how it would be a completely new...

I had previously been a guest of Blue Palace (2022 & 2023) and just came back from my first stay at Phāea Blue Palace. As I had heard about all the changes I was eager to find out how that would translate and how it would be a completely new experience. There is no question, Phāea Blue Palace is a different hotel which occupies one side only of the original Blue Palace. I was lucky enough to have a long chat with the front office manager who explained the transformation further. The owners essentially split the original resort into two hotels last October: Phāea Blue Palace (where we stayed) and the other part which is currently closed and will re-open under Rosewood from 2025 as a much bigger resort. He told us how the same Cretan family still owns both sides of the original resort and the daughters (who are now in charge) wanted to create a new and more intimate experience, like stepping into a private Cretan estate and I believe they succeeded very well. The entrance lobby (which is nowhere near where the older entrance was) is a wonderfully warm and welcoming space very tastefully designed with soft colours, big drapes mixed together with great modern lightings and furnitures which makes the place very current and up to date. Something I thought that was much needed at the old Blue Palace on my last visit last summer. This entrance is a real ‘living and mixing space’ leading on one side to the main signature restaurant Aethos where breakfast, lunch and dinners are served and opening to a very lifestyle (albeit expensive!) boutique on the other side and a great bar at the back. We liked the way they cleverly created different lounging areas within that space. It is serene and very welcoming. The upper level even led to a private small screen room and more lounging areas. Interestingly, I had never been to that side of the original resort on my previous visits. I understood from the Manager that the area where the heart of the resort and pool & outside bar now are, were little used before. On that side, the rooms and suites are set together in a very nice way with paths, steps and small road access with lush mature gardens all around which separates very naturally from what will become the Rosewood part. It does look very nice and feels small and private. Although we could see parts of the other part of the resort from our room, it is not too close as there are gardens in between. You don’t see it or very little from the rest of the grounds /hotel. Our room was at a lower level of the hill and offered views on the former Blue Palace part and the village of Plaka and a second balconnet with a view of the magical islet of Spinalonga. The room was very spacious, great bathroom & amazing tub with a view! Colours were subtle in a similar style as the former Blue Palace. We alternated between going to the reception/bar/restaurant/pool through the gardens or using the buggies on demand. No more funicular to the beach! They are creating a walkable underpass which again reflects the size of the place. It wasn’t completely finished on our visit but we heard this is a question of days. We used the pool and also the beach and were welcomed every time with fresh towels, cold waters and even sun cream all presented in the loveliest basket which was such a lovely touch. We also had dinner at the Blue Door Taverna which thank god hasn’t changed!! It is still so authentic, welcoming and delicious. A must ! The team is the same, real stars!! I could talk much more about the hotel. I was intrigued on arrival on how the change within the same resort was happening but was really nicely surprised and loved the new Phāea Blue Palace. It is a new hotel in a side of the old resort but is much more intimate and has really kept all the spirit and hospitality of Blue Palace.. the entire staff are so welcoming and attentive, a real plus. Thank you Phāea Blue Palace, we loved our stay and will be back!

Crete is undoubtedly the greatest gateway to explore the Aegean and Blue Palace provides the perfect ambiance of serenity and relaxation ahead of our Greek holiday. With beautifully appointed suites, manicured grounds and idyllic views all around this gem of a hotel not only provided comfort but also some of...

Crete is undoubtedly the greatest gateway to explore the Aegean and Blue Palace provides the perfect ambiance of serenity and relaxation ahead of our Greek holiday. With beautifully appointed suites, manicured grounds and idyllic views all around this gem of a hotel not only provided comfort but also some of the best authentic Mediterranean food we ever tasted. It is perfect for romantic getaways and also small groups seeking to "turn off" the World outside. A very special natural and historic element is the direct view of Spinalonga - the kind and friendly staff at Blue Palace are all ready to tell you all about it.

Amazing holidays at Blue Palace, the hotel is in a very nice place, with great staff and great food. We ate at the anthos with excellent choices and Maria's suggestions, and the breakfast had several a la carte options. Very nice view from our room and enough privacy, (thank you...

Amazing holidays at Blue Palace, the hotel is in a very nice place, with great staff and great food. We ate at the anthos with excellent choices and Maria's suggestions, and the breakfast had several a la carte options. Very nice view from our room and enough privacy, (thank you very much for the nice night surprise with desserts). You must definitely do the traditional kaiki, thank you very much to the concierge who suggested it to us. The hotel staff was really welcoming and smiling throughout our stay. I wish we could have stayed more days, but we will definitely be back.

Blue Palace does not exist. It has closed and rebranded for opening 2025. The existing Blue Palace is now Phaea Blue Palace. A completely different hotel which is next to The old Blue Palace. Phaea Blue Palace does not have all the amenities , swimming pool, spa etc of the...

Blue Palace does not exist. It has closed and rebranded for opening 2025. The existing Blue Palace is now Phaea Blue Palace. A completely different hotel which is next to The old Blue Palace. Phaea Blue Palace does not have all the amenities , swimming pool, spa etc of the closed Blue Palace. the staff are lovley but the mis selling of this property via management is terrible. Even branded items in Phaea Blue Palace is for the old hotel. During our stay the beach was very noisy due to building of a road, continuous digging from 7am. plus another new part of the road being built. You only get one small bottle of water at the beach, you can’t move sunbeds so you will either be in full sun or shade, the rest of drinks is payable on beach no refills of water. breakfast is bland, if you are a vegetarian egg - fanatic you will be ok, 4 times we asked beach staff to call buggy for transport and they failed to do so each time. high hopes but our opinion was not isolated, other clients were duped by either google search on Blue Palace or via agents. the star is for staff and also the comfortable beds.

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...

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

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,...

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.

We had a wonderful at Phaea blue. The staff was friendly and helpful, the room was clean with stunning sea views, and the atmosphere was peaceful and relaxing. Brekfast at anthos restaurant was amazing with great selection. We loved this place we will come back next year 100%.

Gem of a hotel on Crete - stayed for five days here and the staff were fantastic. Warm, friendly and very helpful. We had lovely views over the bay and the weather was ideal in May, not too hot but with sunny blue skies. Which always helps the stay too....

Gem of a hotel on Crete - stayed for five days here and the staff were fantastic. Warm, friendly and very helpful. We had lovely views over the bay and the weather was ideal in May, not too hot but with sunny blue skies. Which always helps the stay too. Rooms are clean and comfortable and feel quite homely (we stayed in a bungalow). Couple of little niggles were the size of the shower and toilet cubicles which were quite small to move about in as they were side by side in a space that could have just been occupied by one of them. Spa treatments were very professional and walked out feeling refreshed. Food wise we favoured the Blue Door by the beach where the fish and seafood was fresh and tasty and the atmosphere was relaxed. The staff were super friendly and welcoming with good service too. Overall it is easy to see why this is a SLH and we would happily revisit.

Very nice hotel with lovely staff, they are very helpful and always going out their way to assist you and ensure comfortable stay. Location is amazing and very comfortable room with amazing views. I strongly recommend the PHĀEA farmers feast experience and a visit to Spinalonga.