Our Senior Sales and Product Manager, Alex Taylor, recently visited Crete. Here she tells us all about her experience, and why she'd recommend you book your own Crete holiday!
Our adventure began at the Amirandes Grecotel Boutique Resort, a mere 15-minute transfer from Heraklion airport. The short journey allowed us to quickly settle in and enjoy the hotel. The proximity to the airport makes this a perfect stop on a twin-centre Crete holiday, too. Upon arrival, we were greeted with welcome drinks and cold towels, setting a luxurious tone for our stay.
We stayed in a beautifully appointed villa with a private pool. The villa was equipped with every amenity we could need and more, including thoughtful touches like loofahs in the shower, beach bags, and flip flops. The resort offers a range of room types, so there’s something for everyone from solo travellers to larger family groups.
The spa at Amirandes was a tranquil haven, featuring a spacious indoor pool and relaxing areas perfect for unwinding before and after treatments. The resort also boasts a variety of activities, including tennis, paddleboarding, and watersports. Kids are well catered for with age-appropriate clubs from babies to teens.
Dining at the resort was an exceptional experience. We savoured traditional Cretan cuisine at Xasteria, enjoying the lovely ambiance of dining under the night sky. Another highlight was our fine dining experience on the floating platform outside Minotaur, with fresh produce sourced from the resort’s own farm.
There’s plenty to do outside the hotel, too. We took the opportunity to visit the nearby Knossos, an archaeological site dating back to the Bronze age, with Minoan palace at its centre. Our guide was great, and the tour was both informative and fascinating.
For the second half of our trip, we stayed in Grecotel LUXME White Palace. This contemporary resort welcomes guests with stunning sea views and a warm atmosphere thanks to its friendly staff. The spacious layout provides plenty of areas to relax away from the main pool's buzz.
I stayed in a Junior Suite, which offered direct access to a shared pool. The suite itself was both spacious and comfortable, with a large terrace furnished with sun loungers providing a perfect spot for relaxation.
Dining was a delight at the LUXME White Palace. We enjoyed a leisurely lunch at Tavernaki, sampling a variety of Greek meze dishes and finishing with a round of raki. Breakfast was an generous buffet with numerous choices, and I highly recommend starting the day with a local Greek iced coffee.
As an all-inclusive property, the resort offers a variety of a la carte restaurants in addition to the main buffet restaurant. We also enjoyed visiting the gelaterias for crepes and ice cream treats. The hotel’s proximity to Rethymno, just a €15 taxi ride away, made it easy to explore the old town with its authentic Greek charm.
Along the way, I was able to visit some other Cretan hotels, each of which had their own charms to offer.
Marine Palace & Aqua Park hotel is a paradise for families, offering a wide range of accommodation options perfect for any group size. The onsite Aqua Park is fantastic, with separate areas catering to different age groups, from younger children to older kids and even adults.
We also had the pleasure of visiting at the luxe, boutique hotel Grecotel Caramel. Here we enjoyed a 7-course tasting menu by the pool with live entertainment from an amazing singer. The ambiance and food were truly memorable. I’d recommend this spot for couples especially.
Grecotel Creta Palace offers the best of both worlds, making it a great choice for both families and couples. The resort offers plenty of space and diverse room options, but the standout feature here was the beach, which was stunning.
Last but not least, our final night in Crete was spent at the enchanting Agreco Farm. This visit was a highlight of our trip. Guests from all the Grecotel hotels are welcome to visit the farm in the early evening for a tour. We sampled their own olive oil, honey, raki, tomatoes, and cheese, all produced on the farm. The tour culminated in a dinner featuring local cuisine, primarily made with ingredients from the farm. It was such a unique and memorable experience and one that I’d highly recommend.
Although I was only on the island for a few nights, we were able to fit so much in that I really got a feel for the place, and I’ll certainly be back. The southerly location of the Greek island means it’s a great choice as a holiday destination from Spring through to Autumn. Temperatures here still sometimes hit the 20s as late as November!
If you’d like to book your own island experience, we have an exclusive offer for May 2025:
SUMMER 2025 - LUXURY CRETE TWIN CENTRE
5 Nights - 5* Grecotel Caramel Boutique Hotel, Rethymnon Junior Suite, B&B.
Grecotel Caramel Boutique recreates the laidback ambience of an island settlement with the elegance & amenities of a modern luxury resort. This captivating resort, private and oh so petit you think you could hold it in your hands has a quality all of its own. A collection of suites and villaswhere discerning guests escape to play at living the simple life
5 Nights - 5* Grecotel Amirandes Boutique Resort, Gouves Superior Garden View Room, Half Board
Welcome to the stylish Grecotel Amirandes Boutique Resort. This sparkling exclusive resort on Crete's east coast provides oodles of Cretan warmth and refined legendary Cretan hospitality. If you're looking for an exclusive hideaway for your next holiday, then this resort fits the bill
Gatwick 6th May 25 £1536 per person
Manchester 4th May 25 £1667 per person
**Price based on 2 adults sharing. Price includes flights, All Transfers, accommodation and checked in luggage.
To book this or another Crete holiday, call our Travel Designers on 0330 041 4888 or contact us any time!
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