I last visited Crete in 2018 and as the wheels touched down on the runway, it instantly felt great to be back. Even in mid-May, the skies we blue, the air was warm, and the memory of grey skies left behind in Manchester just a few hours earlier, was already a distant memory.
As the largest of the Greek Isles, it’s typical for most visitors to pick East or West, flying into either Chania or Heraklion – on this occasion I was headed East.
I’d been invited by friend and fellow travel colleague Victoire Cliffe to join her and several other travel agents for a stay with Phãea Resorts, at both Phãea Cretan Malia & Phãea Blue.
Phãea Cretan Malia
After a smooth 30-minute transfer from the airport, we found ourselves in the cool, boho-meets-retro style lobby of Phãea Cretan Malia. Perfectly set-up for young families or couples looking for a well-priced stylish hotel – all without compromising on the all important eco and sustainability credentials. Whilst checking in, I was instantly taken with the displays of local ceramics, hand-woven furnishings and amazing canvas mural by Greek artist Philippos Theodorides – it’s easy to understand why the hotel is a proud member of Design Hotels.
One of the things I loved most is how spread out the 204 rooms and suites are across the resort. It means that guests never feel on top of each other – although I should probably throw in a disclaimer at this point and say; couples might want to consider avoiding peak summer holiday dates as it will be busy with lots of families and young children.
Accommodation wise, you have a lot of options to chose from. I stayed in one of the Junior Suites, which could comfortably sleep four. My terrace looked out over the tropical gardens towards the sea, but you can also opt for front sea views in this category. The Deluxe Family Bungalows particularly impressed me – they are the perfect set-up for larger families with the kids having their own bunk room.
Junior Suite
Deluxe Family Bungalow 
Deluxe Family Bungalow
During your stay, you’ll find a superb choice of bars & dining outlets – eight in total – all of which build their menus around local, organic and sustainable ingredients. The amazing Cretan farm-to-table dining and cookery experience at Mouries restaurant is not to be missed!
Across the rest of the resort; the kids’ clubs, gym, yoga pavilion, cute spa and direct beach access, all add to the appeal of this laid-back resort.
Phãea Blue
Our next stop was the beautiful Phãea Blue hotel.
What was once the iconic Blue Palace Resort, has now been split into two distinct properties. Two thirds are currently being transformed by Rosewood Hotels (due to open in 2026 and set to offer a whole new level of luxury for Crete), whilst the remaining third has become the NEW and rather fabulous Phãea Blue.
Being such a fan of the original Blue Palace, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little apprehensive to see how the team had gone about the renovation and retention of character. I needn’t have worried because I’m happy to report they have done a brilliant job!
Due to it’s positioning and onsite facilities, I personally feel a stay here is geared more towards adults. It’s a brilliant option for guests looking for a quieter, understated luxury experience, without compromising on service and renowned Cretan hospitality.
Rooms range from the lead-in Signature Rooms, right through to the expansive 3-Bedroom Villa.
Master Bedroom 
View from Villa
I stayed in one of the Island Suites which was impressively spacious; with a separate living area, large outdoor terrace and good sized pool overlooking the Island of Spinalonga, they are definitely worth the splurge!
Island Suite, Bedroom 
Island Suite, Bathroom
Overall, you can truly feel the thought, love and hard work that has gone into giving this iconic hotel a new lease of life. Some things have remained untouched for all the right reasons and I was delighted to see that the famous Blue Door Taverna restaurant is as charming as ever. A reservation here is a must!
Spinalonga & Plaka
One of my favourite things about Phãea Blue is the location; both Spinalonga Island and the quaint village of Plaka are right on your doorstep.
Anyone who has an interest in history and culture, won’t want to miss a morning tour of Spinalonga – I say morning because the afternoons can get very hot. Once a Venetian fortress, the small island became a leper colony in 1903 and remained that way for over 50 years – with the last ‘inhabitant’ leaving in 1957! While it’s crumbling walls, colourful doors and vine covered streets make for pretty Instagram pictures, our time spent with a brilliant local guide Georgina really opened our eyes to the island’s interesting, albeit controversial past. In fact Georgina was the guide who first showed author Victoria Hislop around Spinalonga, a visit that inspired her to write her famous, award winning, historical novel, THE ISLAND. She even starred in a Greek mini series based on the novel giving a fictional account of a real life leper colony. As you can tell, I was fascinated!
Spinalonga is only a short boat ride away from the beach at Phãea Blue, so to really make a day of it, I highly recommend combining it with an afternoon on your very own private charter sailboat. We were picked up by a local captain and enjoyed a few hours cruising the crystal clear waters, enjoying local meze dishes (and a few drinks) onboard and taking refreshing dips in the sea.
Once back on dry land, we took a stroll through the pretty fishing village of Plaka, indulging in a spot of retail therapy in beautiful, independent shops, before finding a table at Giovanni’s for a cold beer in the late afternoon sun. A perfect day!
I truly love this part of Crete. You have some wonderful properties to chose from, the range of experiences on offer is fantastic, the food is incredible and to top it off, the weather is arguably the most reliable in Greece. Oh and it’s also really easy to jump on a ferry to explore the wider Cyclades Islands – Santorini can even be done as a day-trip!
Fingers crossed I’ve spiked you interest to this beautiful island. I’d love to hear from you.
