“A chic hotel with white on white style complete with accents of sea blue. The former grande dame of the 'Cretan Riviera' has been given a full make-over and a bigger, grander choice of accommodation. Dining and entertainment options are crowd-pleasers, suiting both couples and families.”
“A chic hotel with white on white style complete with accents of sea blue. The former grande dame of the 'Cretan Riviera' has been given a full make-over and a bigger, grander choice of accommodation. Dining and entertainment options are crowd-pleasers, suiting both couples and families.”
Hotel Review
El Greco, near Rethymno, was a pioneer luxury resort in this part of Crete and had a loyal following for more than 30 years. Reincarnated as the White Palace in 2014-2015, it now looks pristine, with a portfolio of new restaurants, bars and swanky suites. Style-wise, it lives up to its name. White is indeed the dominant theme in bright, mostly open public areas that bring the outdoors indoors, like the Mediterranean buffet restaurant and the Sunset lounge bar. In high season, this is very much a family resort. That said, with five seawater pools and a toddlers' pool, there's room for all. For ultimate privacy, choose a waterfront villa suites in a separate wing. Eating and drinking: choose from three a la carte restaurants and a new Mediterranean-fusion buffet brasserie. The Tasty Corner – offering free dining for kids and a menu that balances child-friendly favourites with healthy choices – is a bonus for families, with scaled-down chairs and tables for younger patrons.
Written by Robin Gauldie
Recommended For
- Watersports
- Banana boating, wind surfing and much more are available on the nearby beach
- Families
- There is a popular kids' club allowing grown ups some fun of their own
- Romantic Break
- Utterly chic interiors with sea views - great for a romantic getaway
- Local exploring
- Well located close to Rethymnon’s museums and nightlife
- Other Activities
- Visit the property's organic Agreco Farm, complete with petting zoo - kids will love
- Tennis
- There are two tennis courts for guests to have a knock about
- Diving
- The nearby diving school offers private lessons
- Cycling
- Bikes are available for guests to use
- Honeymoons
- Cooking classes
- Rooms with balcony/terrace
- Roof terrace
- Conference facilities
- Kids Club
- Romantic
- Designer
- Organic food
- Sit-out Terrace
- House party feel
- Disabled access
- Spa
- Restaurant
- Boutique
- Chic
- Child friendly
- 5* Luxury
- On an island
- All inclusive
- Contemporary
- Luxury
- Views
Facilities
- Swimming Pool
- Five pools in total
- Business Centre
- Conference facilities
- Safe
- Parking
- Kids Club
- Bar
- Roof terrace
- Rooms with balcony/terrace
- Airport transfer
- Outdoor dining
- Hairdresser/Beauty Salon
- Meeting Room
- Cots available
- No pets
- Sit-out Terrace
- Disabled access
- Spa
- Restaurant
- Child friendly
- Sitting Room
- Room service
- Games room
- Suites
- Private villas
- Concierge
- Satellite / Cable TV
- Wifi
- Air conditioning
- Views
Activities
- Watersports
- Banana boating, wind surfing and much more are available on the nearby beach
- Other Activities
- Visit the property's organic Agreco Farm, complete with petting zoo - kids will love
- Tennis
- There are two tennis courts for guests to have a knock about
- Diving
- The nearby diving school offers private lessons
- Cycling
- Bikes are available for guests to use
- Cooking classes
Map & Location
What's Nearby
See What They Say
Why do people love staying in your hotel? The hotel is located on the seafront with direct beach access. Cretan Hospitality, delicious food and entertainment for both adults and kids. What is there to do in the area? Swimming - blue flag beach and numerous pools. Entertainment from morning gym classes to evening shows, cooking classes for food lovers, table tennis, volley ball, tennis and coaching available, mountain biking, horse riding nearby, scuba diving nearby plus the Grecotel's Agreco organic farm. What kind of breakfast do you offer? Guests can enjoy generous buffet-style breakfast - including Cretan Corner, healthy and vegetarian options and an extensive international buffet with Mediterranean overtones for breakfast. Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? Four restaurants (Yalos Beach Club/Greek, Budoo/Thai, Fico D' India/Italian, White The Club/International). We also recommend good restaurants in the vicinity, because we support the local economy. Which are your most popular room types? Yali collection What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms? Children at White Palace enjoy a dedicated holiday programme so the adults can relax. The Grecoland Children’s Club, a scaled-down version of a Venetian harbour, has everything from a lighthouse, indoor & outdoor play areas, sand and water features and even miniature toilets. Taking a mini Greek Culture lesson through play is a unique opportunity for kids to experience the Olympic Spirit. All season, our qualified, multi-lingual personnel offer affectionate and careful supervision for children 3-12 years old for selected hours (morning/ afternoon) 6 days a week. What message would you like to give to the Hotel Guru readers? Ιdeal holidays for every guest.
Other Reviews
LUX ME White Palace Grecotel Luxury Resort
Life at this bright white resort close to Rethymnon’s museums and nightlife revolves around the sizeable central seawater pool and a long strip of sandy beach. There’s a pretty boho spa, several good restaurants and plenty of children's entertainment, but some areas badly need updating.
Originally published by The Telegraph (view article)
