If you’ve already done the best hotels for families in London and you’re looking for a sunny spot for your next vacation, we’ve got you. Nestled on the north west coast of Crete, around a 40-minute drive from the capital of Heraklion, The Royal Blue Resort & Spa is the ideal hotel for families of all ages. Stylish yet affordable, we were very impressed during our recent stay.
While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.
The Royal Blue Resort & Spa review
Hotel Snapshot
Hotel: The Royal Blue Resort & Spa review
Location: Geropotamos / Panormos, Rethymno, Crete, Greece
Rooms: 187 rooms, suites and villas
Brand: Troulis Royal Collection
Opened: 2009 (renovated 2021)
Style: Mediterranean chic with Cretan island architecture
Price range: From around €180–€300 per night (B&B depending on season)
Home to a huge selection of rooms and suites, including a selection of family configurations, The Royal Blue Resort & Spa boasts a private beach with a selection of cabanas and loungers and multiple swimming pools.
The buzzing Kids Club will keep the little ones busy with activities, excursions, and workshops, as parents book in for a treatment at The Pure Senses Spa. We tried the signature Salt & Sea Ritual, where we relaxed in a salt cave with LED light therapy before immersing ourselves in the warm indoor pool fitted with a number of different types of thalasso massage.
The room
It’s easy to slip into relaxation mode here
It’s definitely worth upgrading to a suite with a private pool so you can take a dip whenever you fancy and have your own space. Our suite boasted views of the ocean and overlooked a beautifully curated garden that smelled heavenly.
Inside, muted colours let the natural surroundings do the talking, and we loved the oversized king bed. His and hers sinks in the bathroom are a great touch with a rain shower for ultimate relaxation.
All the food
Symposium restaurant delivers perfect views to make your meals even better
The buffet breakfast is served at Symposium restaurant and offers sweeping sea views. Indulge in western and Cretan delicacies, including a decadent cake station and oodles of fresh fruit. A buffet dinner is also served at the restaurant, and you’ll be hard pushed to find something you don’t like with the huge selection.
A highlight of our stay at The Royal Blue Resort & Spa was undoubtedly the luxe meal that we had at Asterias. Perched above the beach, seafood lovers will delight in the menu here. We tasted scallops, octopus, and even had a gorgeous red snapper filleted at the table as a local guitarist played traditional tunes. Cretan wine was the icing on the cake, along with superb sunset views and absolutely impeccable service.
All the extras
Enjoy a treatment at the spa
The extensive facilities include two gyms (one indoor, one outdoor), a basketball court, a tennis court, and even a mini football field! Play some pool, browse the library, or even go shopping in the retail area. You’ll never get bored here, that’s for sure.
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