Blue Palace

Greece used to be known as a bargain holiday spot, a fact that may seem astonishing, given its almost unbearable natural beauty. Today Greece is home to some of Europe's finest hotels, whether in Athens, Santorini, or the breathtaking island of Crete, home to the Blue Palace Resort.

Here, in the tiny fishing village of Plaka (just outside of Elounda), you can soak up that trademark deep Greek blue, with astonishing views of the Gulf of Elounda and the Mediterranean from your chic little suite, villa, or bungalow. The little island of Spinalonga floats in the distance, visible from your private terrace or balcony — and if you are lucky, you will have your own private infinity pool, where you can bask in the Mediterranean sun and contemplate the sights.

This is a fairly large, sprawling resort, in classic Greek style, with indoor and outdoor pools, five restaurants, and an elevator to carry guests down the cliffside to the beach. The interiors are contemporary, but not overdesigned, just crisp, spare decor and all the niceties modern travelers demand, from internet and satellite TV to 24-hour room service. The villas are utterly decadent, built on two floors, with master and guest bedrooms, and the Royal Blue Villa is the perfect place to live out that Onassis fantasy, with a private gym and an indoor swimming pool with a view of the ocean. But even if you can't spring for the Grand Villa, the Elounda Spa is there, with a full suite of treatments designed to make you feel like a billionaire.

Please note: Blue Palace is open seasonally, from the end of April through October.

How to get there:
Crete can be easily reached by plane. Flight time from Athens to Heraklion is approximately 50 minutes. Direct flights to Heraklion can also be found from several major cities, including: Paris (3.5 hours), Berlin (3 hours) and London (4 hours). Ferry services from several islands are also available. Ferries from Santorini Thira to Herklio port take approximately 2 hours. Elounda is approximately 1 hour by car from Herklion airport or Herklio port.