Black Opal’s Louise has recently been lucky enough to visit the fabulous island of Crete. Here she shares her experience of the island and the hotels she visited.
Our first two nights were spent at the Amirandes Grecotel Boutique Resort which is a mere 15-minutes' transfer from the airport, so you can be getting into holiday mode in no time at all!
Styled after the water palaces of the Minoan Kings, this luxurious hotel has an abundance of facilities available for guests including a private golden sandy beach and an Olympic size swimming pool.
Choose from a host of activities onsite including indulging in a spa treatment in the Elixir Alchemy SPA, water sports, tennis, beach volleyball, paddle boarding and horse riding to name a few.
Younger guests will not be disappointed either and can enjoy the excellent children’s club ‘Grecoland’ which is available for ages 4 to 12 years. There are plenty of activities to keep young minds amused throughout the day whether it is table games, Wet-Wet-Wet activities or joining in on theme days to learn traditional Greek dancing and much more.
The resort offers a selection of room types and with around 25 different categories of rooms and suites, it can be a daunting task to decide which is right for you. However, I am happy to offer my personal expertise to ensure we select the best option for you whether you are travelling as a family or just as a couple, there is something to suit everyone.
A highlight of my stay was the food and to put it simply - WOW - there is so much choice and they do pride themselves on using as much quality local produce as possible. One of my favourites was Minatour – a stylish Italian Gourmet restaurant situated adjacent to the lagoon. You can even dine on the lagoon on a private platform – ideal for a romantic evening or celebration dinner.
Even at the height of season when the hotel is busy, there is plenty of space in the lush gardens or beach meaning it never feels crowded. The service was first class and nothing was too much trouble for the friendly staff, it truly is a magnificent hotel and I can’t wait to return to.
From here we travelled onto the second hotel we would be staying at Grecotel LUXME White Palace, located on the North Coast of Crete in the beautiful medieval town of Rethymnon.
This beautiful all white contemporary hotel is complemented by its 1000-metre blue flag beach is around 6 miles from the town itself, making it ideal to get out and about and explore.
The hotel offers a choice of swimming pools for guests to enjoy including a heated outdoor swimming pool, a kid’s sea water pool and a family activity pool. Certain rooms also offer private pools whilst others have pools designated for their use.
Rooms boast floor to ceiling windows with crisp-white furnishings throughout, choose from either garden, mountain or sea views. An excellent choice for families are the Family Apartments which offer two separate sleeping areas and two bathrooms, ensuring ample space for families to enjoy. A favourite with our guests are the LUX Me Swim Up Bungalows which as well as having stunning sea views also offer guests staying in them access directly from their room to an exclusive pool.
Whilst there we enjoyed lunch at the Fico d'India, an Italian restaurant in the heart of the resort which offers a menu serving fabulous fresh salads and homemade pasta. For dinner I was excited to be invited to The White, a fine dining adult only restaurant, with breathtaking seaviews and the perfect place to watch the Cretan sunset. Dinner here was most definitely a highlight of the trip as we were treated to the Tasting Menu, which was adventurous and inventive but most of all absolutely delicious!
Facilities and activities available for guests to enjoy include a Wellness Centre with fitness room, food masterclasses and a range of sports – including table tennis, tennis, hiking, Greek dancing and water sports, a children’s club plus an adult zone by the beach. Guests will also benefit from having a 24-hour WhatsApp Concierge to attend to their every need.
And lastly….
One place I should mention and is a must for anyone staying here is Agreco Farm. Guests have the opportunity to dine here during their stay. As well as enjoying an early evening tour of the farm, with its magnificent views of the surrounding vineyards, you will enjoy a unique culinary experience highlighting the farm to table concept.
If you are looking for ideas for your summer holiday or Crete is on your travel list please contact me and I will be delighted to help plan a memorable trip to this fantastic island.
Image Gallery
Back to all blog posts
