The Rοyal Blue

Beautifully presented grounds, elegant decor, and panoramic sea views at this adult-only beachfront hotel are sure to impress, but a few downsides may tip the balance from a fantastic stay to a lackluster one. The approach to the hotel via a dilapidated local road surrounded by vast swathes of undeveloped land, is confusing at best. The hotel’s small private beachfront is man-made and comes across more as a work in progress, with an unnatural concrete wall extending into the water that blocks most of the view. Thankfully, much of the rest of the hotel is maintained beautifully, with excellent pool areas artfully spread across several tiers descending to the sea. Beautiful sweeping sea views from popular terraces add to the sense of a remote escape.

Evenings are a quiet, romantic affair, with soft mood lighting in most areas of the hotel, including the lobby bar and external grounds. During our visit we spotted mostly mature guests in smart casual dress, celebrating the quiet night with composed merrymaking. The luxury Sensimar brand is owned by the German budget travel group Tui, and accordingly the hotel accommodates many couples from Germany, as well as the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe.

Getting to The Royal Blue is an adventure to say the least, via a local road full of potholes and undeveloped land. The hotel is positioned between the main highway and the coastline -- a simultaneously awkward and convenient location. There are no other beaches within walking distance other than the hotel’s and the nearest point of civilization is the little village of Panormos, about a seven-minute drive or 30-minute walk. The town is complete with its own port and traditional tavernas worth visiting. Guests can also take a mini-train to reach the village, and round trip tickets are significantly cheaper than a taxi. The wonderful city of Rethymno, with its charming old town, is a 23-minute drive. Both Heraklion Airport and the lively city of Chania are roughly a one-hour drive away. 

The 190 rooms and suites at The Royal Blue vary widely in terms of amenities and view, but even the most affordable category, the Superior Room with Garden View, is a spacious 30 square meters. Luxury Rooms and Suites have similar decor but are more spacious, and all are located on the sea front. Some of these units have private outdoor whirlpool tubs, while others come with a large garden complete with a private swimming pool and sunbeds for lounging. Royal Suites are at the top end and all have a separate living room and bedroom, as well as a marble bathroom with separate tub and shower. Some have a private outdoor whirlpool, while others have their own private pool. All units have modern decor, although brown color accents make the ambience a bit drab. Rooms are equipped with free bathrobes and slippers, minibars, large flat-screen TV’s with satellite channels, free Wi-Fi, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and furnished outdoor spaces. Bathrooms are spacious and modern, and all come with two sinks, although there have recent complaints of loose fittings and mold. 

Features at The Royal Blue are focused mostly on vacationers. Set over a series of tiered layers leading down to sea level, the beautiful pool areas are the main attraction. The outdoor freshwater pool is located in the center of the complex. The larger saltwater pool sits further down the hill, has panoramic sea views, and is accompanied by a chic beach bar serving drinks and snacks. A third pool is located one level further down closest to the sea, while a fourth indoor thalassotherapy pool requires a fee to access. The hotel’s man-made private beach is its least attractive facility: a work in progress constantly struggling against the inevitability of nature’s elements. But it still offers sun loungers and a space to relax.

Food variety and quality are decent at the hotel’s international buffet restaurant, which accommodates half-board and full-board guests for breakfast, dinner, and/or lunch. Drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, including bottled water, are not included in meal plans. There are also three a la carte restaurants to choose from, including one set in a cave, a poolside Mediterranean restaurant, and traditional Cretan restaurant with sea views (extra fees apply for all). The popular lobby bar is open late, and the hotel provides evening entertainment including live music and opera arias. 

Daytime activities include painting lessons and wine tasting at the hotel's wine cellar, while the spa provides numerous pampering treatments and massages. A full-blown conference center complete with computer station, three meeting rooms, and three breakout areas attracts corporate groups. The hotel has free Wi-Fi throughout as well as free private parking.