The Royal Blue Resort

An exceptional hotel with fantastic facilities; I would particularly highlight the room, the spa, the restaurants and the main pool. The beach area was also a pleasant surprise, offering very good service. The view from the room was simply wonderful, offering us a fantastic sunset I want to highlight the friendliness, professionalism, and helpfulness of the staff, especially the restaurant team. The quality and variety of the food also exceeded expectations. I would only note that the price of some drinks was above average, but of course, it is a 5-star hotel that I recommend to anyone wanting to relax in Crete.

Location has allowed this hotel to have fabulous views all round which has created a very tranquil relax chilled atmosphere. I personally found this hotel very isolated with literally nothing around I booked Bed/Breakfast thinking tavernas outside of hotel and local restaurants but absolutely nothing, was therefore had no choice but to eat at restaurant in hotel. Rooms vary to personal requirement's size of party travelling and needs I stayed in a Delux Garden View room, but actually no view my view was the back wall of other rooms and a main path which was very disappointing and continual noise from the transport that collects rubbish, dirty or clean laundry etc… The room was very adequate and clean with bottled water left daily, however if British don’t expect any english channels on TV. Adult Pool area had beautiful thick cushions but dirty along with ground around pool dirty toilets/shower rooms by pool broken lock on back off door. Food had a huge variety and plenty lovely and clean however food cold in main restaurant and chipped dishes. Food in main pool area beautiful and hot. All staff lovely helpful and welcoming. Needs to up the maintenance at this hotel to warrant a 5 star. Can not comment on Spa as did not use. There is a local bus service to Rethymnon centre which you can get from the Cret Marine Hotel about 13 minute walk but well worth it at 3 euro per person or alternatively a taxi 27 euros to see and experience some great cultural food and drinks.

Lovely hotel - nice layout, very clean and well-presented. The different pools and area round the beach are really pretty. Our room was really nice; but what would have made it better would be the option of a proper triple room with a double bed and a single bed (especially considering you're paying a fair bit to stay here) - we stayed as a family of three, and a sofa bed for 5 nights gets a bit uncomfortable after a few days. The spa was really relaxing! And the spa team were really friendly. Reasonably priced spa treatments. Food was quite good to be honest. But my only reservation was that vegetarian and vegan options were quite limited on some evenings (there were different buffet options each evening). And allergen/vegetarian/vegan labelling was not great tbh - this could really do with a good look at and improving. Location-wise, the Royal Blue is a beautiful resort in itself. Beautiful view of the coast. But the hotel does feel a bit out to the way. The local buses take about an hour into Rethymno (approx 20-25 mins in a taxi) and an hour into Heraklion. And there's not really any restaurants nearby, only a little mini-mart. So this is something to consider if you like to go out and about during the day.