NEED TO KNOW

• The resort's 251 luxurious bungalows, suites and private villas with infinity pools are dotted along the shore and connected by winding stone pathways
• The Blue Palace enjoys a blessed location, overlooking the sparkling blue waters of the Cretan Pelagos and the isle of Spinalonga with its Venetian fortress
• The resort has five exquisite restaurants, including the charming Blue Door and, our favourite, the star-lit L'Orangerie with its Mediterranean gourmet cuisine
• The Elounda Spa & Thalassotherapy centre is a serene hideaway by the sea, where revitalising therapies are based on the properties of sea water
• A Kids Club is open to three to 12 year olds, whilst children's facilities include indoor and outdoor playgrounds, two children's swimming pools, as well as theatre, fishing, painting, and Greek dancing
• A&K recommends the two bedroom Villas, Thalassa and Almyra.  Perched on the hillside above the Aegean Sea they both have private, heated pools
  

THE HOTEL
Nestled on the famed coast of Elounda on the Island of Crete, the Blue Palace Resort offers a luxurious take on island living.  Using natural stone materials, blush terracotta and huge expanses of gleaming glass it draws on Minoan and Greek architecture mixing clean lines with arched doorways and domed rooflines.

The resort's bungalows, suites and private villas are immaculate, combining a stylish feel with indigenous natural materials, and open onto gardens rich with olive, locust and palm trees.  Scattered around the property in several low rise buildings, they all have sea views.

The Blue Palace has a number swimming pools, including a large complex of interconnecting pools by the sea. Other facilities include a fitness centre, a private beach, and water sports.

We loved the small village of Plaka, a five minute walk from the resort.  Home to artists' studios, lovely craft boutiques, and a handful of mezze bars and restaurants, it is well worth a visit.  Head to the small marina, from which you can take a trip to the fascinating island of Spinalonga aboard a local fishing boat.

We loved the added touch of many walkways on the beach so that the pebbles could be avoided if we wanted.