In short: Tripplo’s analysis covers a sample of 71 guest reviews of The Royal Blue Resort & Spa Crete. Guests in the sample highlight Service & staff, Food & restaurants and Pools, beach & aquapark. The most common complaints: Very expensive drinks and restaurants. Dated rooms and facilities in need of renovation.
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The 5-star The Royal Blue a Luxury Beach Resort is a tranquil exclusive resort on the northern coast of Crete. A private bay, 38 pools, 4 restaurants and 4 bars are found within its 70-acre premises. Free WiFi is available throughout.
The Royal Blue a Luxury Beach Resort’s superior rooms are stylishly decorated in warm and soothing tones and offer sea or garden views. They all feature flat-screen TVs, and spacious bathrooms with 2 wash basins. Upon arrival, all guests are greeted with a welcome drink.
The Pure Senses Spa offers massage, hydrotherapies, facial and body treatments. Guests will find a tennis court, as well as mini golf and soccer courts within the premises. Colorful gardens extend throughout the resort, while natural stone has been used to blend harmoniously with the surroundings.
Gourmet enthusiasts will savor the fresh approach to food and cooking styles from China and Japan or indulge in authentic Greek, Italian, Spanish and European flavors. Alternatively, experiment with Indian sensations or sample the purity of seafood or meat; the choice is varied and diverse.
Only 22 km from Rethymnon and 55 km from Heraklion, The Royal Blue a Luxury Beach Resort offers easy access to both Chania and Heraklion airports.
Facts we have checked
- Private-pool rooms
- Full-size private pool
- Kids' club
- Kids' pool
- Family suites
- Babysitting
- Kids' menu
- Sunbeds or beach club
- Sea-view rooms
- Spa
Tripplo’s hotel summary
Tripplo’s analysis · Updated 19 October 2026 · How we review hotels
The Royal Blue is the choice for travellers who want a private bay and room to breathe. Seventy acres of grounds hold thirty-eight pools, four restaurants and four bars, and the bathrooms are unusually generous. The size means walking, the grounds can feel impersonal, and peak-season prices are high.
Guests score it 8.8 out of 10 — the average across the 53 hotels we list on Crete is 9.1.
- The abundance of pools, spread across the property alongside a private bay, means guests rarely need to compete for sunbeds or water space, even during busy periods.
- The 70-acre setting allows for generous spacing between buildings, gardens, and gathering areas, giving the resort an unusually open, uncrowded feel compared to typical beachfront hotels.
- Given the scale of the 70-acre grounds, reaching restaurants, the beach, or specific pools may involve a longer walk than at more compact resorts.
- The sheer size and multiple facilities can dilute the sense of intimacy some travelers seek, making it better suited to those who enjoy space over closeness.
Free PDF: what guests really say about The Royal Blue Resort & Spa Crete
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- Pros and cons in every category guests mention
- The complaints that come up again and again
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Should you book it?
The Royal Blue Resort & Spa Crete is worth booking for families wanting space, pools and varied dining options — but pick somewhere else if you want an intimate, small-scale hotel feel.
Book it if you want
- Families wanting space, pools and varied dining options
- Couples who value privacy and uncrowded sunbeds
- Travellers seeking a beachfront resort with wellness facilities
- Guests who enjoy long stays with plenty of on-site variety
Pick somewhere else if
- You want an intimate, small-scale hotel feel
- You dislike long walks between rooms, pools and restaurants
- You're travelling on a tight budget in peak season
No fees from Tripplo – you book directly with our partner
Rooms & which one to pick
Our tip: Couples after the best view and space should book the Superior Suite with Sea Front (50 m², sea view, king bed plus sofa bed), or splash out on the Presidential Suite Sea Front with Private Pool (100 m², private pool) for a special occasion. Families needing room to spread out are better off with the Family Suite with Sea View (75 m², queen bed, sofa bed, family-friendly amenities) or the Luxury Villa Sea Front with Private Pool (80 m², own pool, sleeps 4).
- Superior Suite with Sea Front1 king bed, 1 sofa bedsleeps 450 m²Sea viewAir conditioningFlat-screen TV
- Superior Room with Sea View2 twin beds or 1 queen bed, 1 sofa bedsleeps 330 m²Sea viewAir conditioningFlat-screen TV
- Luxury Villa Sea Front with Private Pool1 king bed, 1 sofa bedsleeps 480 m²Private poolSea viewAir conditioning
- Superior Room with Garden View and Shared Pool1 queen bed, 1 sofa bedsleeps 330 m²Garden viewShared poolAir conditioning
- Presidential Suite Sea Front with Private Pool1 queen bed, 1 sofa bedsleeps 4100 m²Private poolSea viewAir conditioning
- Family Suite with Sea View1 queen bed, 1 sofa bedsleeps 475 m²Sea viewFamily-friendly amenitiesAir conditioning
Room types as listed on Booking.com; availability varies by date.
Prices at The Royal Blue Resort & Spa Crete
When we last checked (7 October 2026), a 2-night stay for two adults cost from €324 in total (€162 per night).
Across our last 9 daily price checks, the nightly rate has ranged from €162 to €186.
Prices sampled daily by Tripplo for a two-adult stay about a month ahead, in EUR. Your dates may differ — use the price check to see live availability.
Photos from previous guests
Photos provided by GoogleWhat guests say
Reviews from Google“Perfect resort. We were upgraded upon arrival to the seafront suite with a private pool. Room and garden were spacious, private, quiet, clean. The private pool had a view to the sea. Couldn't ask for more! Breakfast was ok. Room service is expensive. Staff were helpful and super kind. Will definitely visit again”
“★★★★★ An unforgettable stay at Royal Blue Resort, Crete This was one of our best vacations in Greece. It was our second time visiting Crete, but this time our experience was truly special and unforgettable. From the moment we arrived, we felt incredibly welcomed. The whole team was so kind, friendly, and professional. We were even surprised with a room upgrade, which made our arrival feel like the beginning of an amazing holiday. I was traveling with my wife and two small children, and the resort was absolutely perfect for a family vacation. The staff made everything so easy and comfortable for us. They helped us organize a wonderful nanny for our one-year-old child, and she was such a lovely and caring person “Thank you Mrs Anna”. Mrs Katerina at the kids’ club was also fantastic and took great care of our three-year-old, making sure our child had fun and felt happy. A special thank you to the reception team, especially Mr. Theodore, and everyone who went above and beyond to help us throughout our stay. Their kindness and attention to detail truly made a difference. The food at the restaurants was excellent, the atmosphere of the resort was peaceful and relaxing, and the private beach was beautiful. Every little detail contributed to making this holiday something we will remember for a long time. We only returned home yesterday, and we are already thinking about coming back. Hopefully, we can visit again soon — maybe even this year, or definitely next year. Thank you to the entire Royal Blue Resort team for making our stay so wonderful and unforgettable. We highly recommend this place!”
“I really liked this hotel! The beach area was amazing and very kid-friendly. Our room was clean and spacious, and the bed was comfortable. The staff was friendly and helpful. Breakfast offered good options, but lunch and dinner were pricey and not very tasty, and drinks were too expensive.”
“The hotel is undeniably Instagram-worthy, and the food presentation looks great. Unfortunately, that’s where most of the five-star experience ends. Service is well below what you would expect from a 5-star resort. The food looks much better than it tastes. The gym is outdated and almost unusable, and the overall cleanliness is average at best. The most surprising part was seeing staff filling their own plates from the buffet before dinner service had even ended. As a guest, it gives the impression that the restaurant is closing and that guests are no longer the priority. This is simply not acceptable in a luxury hotel. Overall, this is a beautiful property with poor execution. In my opinion, it is an average 4-star hotel marketed as a 5-star resort.”
“The most outstanding we could have. The resort is huge with 2 public pools : one with fresh water and the biggest with sea water. We rent an accommodation with a private pool (sea water) with sea sight. Buffet restaurant is also great with a lot dishes. You will surely find something to eat! Breakfast is also gorgeous ! Lot of American or occidental food.”
What guests actually say
Tripplo’s analysis uses a sample of 71 guest reviews. Texts may be shortened. Mentions are counted after automated classification and describe the sample, rather than every guest’s experience.
The sample follows how Booking.com and Google sort reviews, which puts satisfied guests first, so criticism is under-represented. Read the drawbacks below and the latest reviews on Booking.com before you book.
Food & restaurants
- +A lavish, varied breakfast buffet with a corner of Greek specialities
- +Good buffet dinners and à la carte restaurants that suit a romantic meal
- +Fresh fruit, vegetables and pastries
- –Lunch and dinner that many guests find mediocre
- –Limited choice for vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free guests
- –Pricey à la carte restaurants with uninspiring food, according to some
”The breakfast was super nice, with a big variety and delicious. The staff were helpful and always replenished the food.” — guest, translated
Service & staff
- +Kind, attentive staff who go out of their way for guests
- +A warm welcome, sometimes with an upgrade
- +Real support when it matters, for example when a child fell ill
- –A long, complicated check-in
- –Inconsistent service, sometimes slow and with language barriers
- –Reception staff who come across as cold or unhelpful
”The staff made us feel truly welcome and at home, and when our child got sick, they went above and beyond to support us.” — guest, translated
Pools, beach & aquapark
- +A private sandy bay with breakwaters and calm water, good for children
- +A large main pool with sea views, an adults-only pool and plenty of sunbeds
- +Rooms with their own saltwater pool
- –Beach towels and beach service not always available
- –A small beach that some find artificial, with old sunbeds
- –Litter on the beach at times
”Our own beach with breakwaters made for pleasant swimming.” — guest, translated
The rooms
- +Spacious, comfortable rooms, many with a private or shared pool
- +Stylish rooms with tasteful furnishings
- +Very comfortable beds
- –Room quality varies widely, and some rooms don't match the photos
- –Faults such as broken air conditioning, unpleasant smells or weak Wi-Fi
- –Little privacy on some balconies
”There seems to be quite a bit of variation in room quality and overall experience. We ended up changing rooms twice.” — guest, translated
Condition & cleanliness
- +Clean, well-maintained grounds
- +A tidy, modern-looking resort, according to many guests
- –Dated rooms and facilities in need of renovation
- –Cleaning lapses such as a dirty pool, sticky floors or greyish towels
- –Broken tiles and a small spa with a damp smell
”A slight renovation of the rooms would take the hotel to another level.” — guest, translated
Location
- +An idyllic seaside setting with beautiful sunsets
- +Close to the village of Panormos, between Chania and Heraklion
- –A remote spot, so you need a car to reach towns and sights
”Just be aware that you will need a car to drive to nearby towns, and Chania is quite far.” — guest, translated
Noise levels
- +A peaceful resort that never feels crowded, thanks to its village layout
- –Poor soundproofing, with music from the beach late into the evening
- –Noise from air-conditioning units or service entrances near some rooms
”The hotel is laid out like a village, which meant it never felt busy or overcrowded.” — guest, translated
Value for money
- +Good value for money, according to some guests
- –Very expensive drinks and restaurants
- –Half board that covers only the buffet, with extras such as water charged
- –Not five-star value, many guests feel
”Wildly overpriced in the hotel; drinks are unreasonably expensive.” — guest, translated
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Frequently asked questions
How far is The Royal Blue Resort & Spa Crete from Heraklion Airport (HER)?
The Royal Blue Resort & Spa Crete is approximately 48 km from Heraklion Airport (HER) in a straight line, calculated from map coordinates. This is not a road distance or transfer time; check the route and transport options before booking.
How do guests rate The Royal Blue Resort & Spa Crete?
The Royal Blue Resort & Spa Crete is rated 4.6 out of 5 on Google, based on 1,487 reviews. On Booking.com it scores 8.8/10 from 496 guest reviews.
How many stars does The Royal Blue Resort & Spa Crete have?
The Royal Blue Resort & Spa Crete is a 5-star hotel.
What amenities does The Royal Blue Resort & Spa Crete offer?
The Royal Blue Resort & Spa Crete offers beachfront, private Beach, free Wifi, outdoor swimming pool, free parking and family rooms.
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