If you’re searching for the perfect all-inclusive resort in Crete to relax and enjoy a luxurious holiday, look no further than Grecotel LUXME White Palace. We recently had the pleasure of spending three nights at this fantastic resort, and our experience was nothing short of amazing.
From the stunning pools and private sandy beaches to the exquisite dining options and impeccable service, this hotel truly has it all. Let me share with you our experience and why we highly recommend this hotel for your next vacation.
*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link. Please note that we were invited to stay at Grecotel LUXME White Palace, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.*
Table of Contents
Basic Information
Grecotel LUXME White Palace
Address: Rethymnon 74100 Crete, Greece
Email: reservations.wp@grecotel.com
Phone: +30 28310 71102
Website: https://www.grecotel.com/luxme-whitepalace/
Instagram: @grecotelwhitepalace
Location
Grecotel LUXME White Palace is perfectly situated on the north coast of Crete, right on the beach, offering stunning views and easy access to the sea.
The resort is only a 15-minute drive from Rethymno, which is my all-time favorite town in Crete. Rethymno is a charming town filled with historical sites, delicious restaurants, and traditional markets.
The resort is roughly halfway between Heraklion and Chania, so it doesn’t matter which airport you arrive at; it’s an easy one-hour drive to the hotel. For a hassle-free arrival and departure, the resort offers luxurious private transfers.
We opted for a private transfer, which was very convenient. Our driver was waiting for us at the Chania airport, and we were transported in a beautiful Mercedes E-class to the hotel. The drive itself was scenic, passing through quaint villages and stunning landscapes.
If you’re planning to rent a car, the hotel offers free parking. Additionally, you can arrange for a car rental right at the hotel if you want to explore more of Crete during your stay.
After arriving at the hotel, we were greeted with a welcome drink and a warm smile from the front desk staff. We immediately felt welcomed and knew that our stay at Grecotel LUXME White Palace was going to be special!
LUXME Holiday Concept
Before diving into the specifics of our stay, let me first explain the LUXME holiday concept that sets this hotel apart from others. The LUXME (Luxury Made Easy) concept is all about personalized service and making your vacation as stress-free as possible.
This all-inclusive formula includes buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a variety of snacks throughout the day, including free ice cream and afternoon tea.
You can also enjoy each a la carte restaurant once per week at no additional cost. Trust me; you won’t run out of dining options here!
The dining experience is complemented by unlimited drinks, including premium brands, wines, cocktails, and healthy juices. There’s even a Wine Library for wine enthusiasts.
Apart from the excellent dining options, the resort also offers a wide range of activities and entertainment, including complimentary fitness classes, yoga, table tennis, cocktail classes, and more.
If you have small kids, you’ll be happy to hear that children under 12 years old can stay free in the parents’ room (at specific room types and periods), and all kids can dine at any a la carte restaurant free of charge.
There’s also a children’s club and many fun activities designed just for kids, making this hotel the perfect choice for families.
Rooms & Suites
Grecotel LUXME White Palace offers a diverse range of accommodations designed to cater to various tastes and preferences. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a fun family holiday, this resort has the perfect room or suite for you.
The property covers a huge area with 264 rooms, suites, and villas, all featuring the resort’s signature light-filled, open-style design. You can choose from guestrooms, deluxe family rooms, swim-up rooms with shared pools, bungalows, and villas with private pools and gardens.
The standout of the accommodation options is the Yali Exclusive Collection, the epitome of luxury within the resort. This collection includes the most opulent suites and villas, offering unparalleled privacy, comfort, and exclusive services.
We had the pleasure of staying in the Villa Luxe Yali Seafront, which provided an extraordinary experience we will never forget.
Villa Luxe Yali Seafront
Our accommodation at the Villa Luxe Yali Seafront was nothing short of spectacular. This luxurious villa, part of the exclusive Yali Collection, is designed to offer the ultimate comfort and elegance.
The villa features a generous floor plan, including a beautifully decorated bedroom, a stylish living area, and a private terrace that offers stunning views of the sea.
The interiors are tastefully decorated with a contemporary yet cozy aesthetic, featuring soft hues and high-quality furnishings.
The villa is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, including a Nespresso machine, a stocked mini-bar, and luxurious bath products. One of my favorite things was the pillow menu, where you can choose from a variety of pillows for the perfect night’s sleep.
We were welcomed with a glass of bubbly and a beautifully presented snack platter upon arrival, which was a lovely touch.
But what sets this villa apart is its private pool and direct access to the beach. We spent most of our days relaxing by the pool, enjoying the warm sun and the breathtaking views of the sea.
And when we wanted to take a dip in the sea, all we had to do was walk a few steps down to the private beach. It was incredibly convenient and added to the overall luxurious experience.
We also decided to order room service breakfast one morning and enjoyed it on our terrace overlooking the sea. While room service is not included in the all-inclusive package, trust me, it’s totally worth the extra cost for this special treat!
Facilities
Pools
One of the highlights of Grecotel LUXME White Palace is its impressive pools. The resort boasts a total of 22 pools – 8 of these are sharing pools for designated rooms and 11 are private pools belonging to the villas.
The resort’s main pool is located in the middle, right next to the entrance of the hotel. This deep blue seawater pool provides the perfect spot for a refreshing swim or to simply lounge by the water while enjoying a cocktail from the nearby bar.
The pool has plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas, so you can relax comfortably while soaking in the beautiful views of the sea.
However, since the resort has many rooms and suites, be prepared for the pool to get quite busy during peak times. If you want to grab a spot by the pool, make sure to get there early in the morning.
The family activity pool is designed specifically for families but it’s also open to all guests. We found that this pool was more peaceful and less crowded compared to the main pool, making it a great alternative.
It was generally empty in the morning and in the evenings, so we enjoyed having it all to ourselves. We always found empty sunbeds in the afternoons too, so if the main pool is full, this is another good option to take a dip.
There’s also a small children’s pool next to the family pool, perfect for little ones to splash around and have fun.
Beach
In addition to its beautiful pools, Grecotel LUXME White Palace also has a private beach with crystal-clear waters.
The 1,000-meter (0.6-mile) long beach is a mix of sand and pebbles, and it’s well-maintained and incredibly clean. There are many sun loungers and umbrellas for guests to use, and you can also order drinks from the bar.
One of my favorite spots in the hotel was the area with the hanging nets right by the beach. For a moment, I felt like I was back in the Maldives!
The area is particularly stunning at sunset, and we even had a romantic setup with a bottle of bubbly and candles one evening. It was the perfect way to end a day in paradise!
Spa & Wellness
If you’re looking for some pampering and relaxation during your stay, Grecotel LUXME White Palace has an exceptional spa and wellness center.
The Hippie Spa is located right next to the main pool and offers a variety of treatments, including massages, facials, body scrubs, and more.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have a chance to try it so we only peeked inside, but we were absolutely blown away by the beautiful design and peaceful atmosphere.
There’s also a fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment, as well as daily fitness classes including yoga, pilates, and aqua aerobics. Make sure to download the Grecotel mobile app to check the daily schedule!
Dining
Grecotel LUXME White Palace truly excels in its dining options, offering a wide variety of cuisines and restaurants to satisfy every palate.
The resort has 6 main restaurants, including a buffet restaurant, an Italian restaurant, a Greek taverna, and an Asian fusion restaurant. There are also several bars scattered around the property for drinks and snacks throughout the day.
As I mentioned before, the all-inclusive package covers the buffet dining and you can also try each a la carte restaurant once per week free of charge.
We highly recommend taking advantage of this and trying out as many restaurants as possible! The a la carte restaurants require reservations in advance which you can easily make in the Grecotel app (another reason to download it!).
Below I will go into more details about each restaurant we tried during our stay.
Ventanas Il Mar
Ventanas Il Mar is the resort’s main buffet restaurant, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It has a spacious indoor dining area as well as a beautiful terrace overlooking the sea.
The restaurant has a separate adults-only area, which we appreciated as it provided a more peaceful and relaxed atmosphere during meals.
The buffet has a wide variety of options, including local Greek dishes, international cuisine, and live cooking stations.
We were impressed by the quality and variety of food available, and there was always something new to try each day. The staff was also incredibly friendly and attentive, making our dining experience even better.
Tavernaki
For a taste of traditional Greek cuisine, Tavernaki is the place to go. This casual restaurant is located right by the beach and offers stunning views of the sea.
We had dinner here one evening and were blown away by the delicious dishes, including grilled octopus, souvlaki, and a variety of salads. We particularly loved the desserts!
The atmosphere at Tavernaki is very laid-back and comfortable, making it the perfect spot for a casual dinner by the beach. It’s open for lunch and dinner, and reservations are required.
Asia White
Asia White is another a la carte restaurant, offering Asian fusion cuisine in a modern and elegant setting.
We had a fantastic dinner here on our last night, trying out dishes such as sushi rolls, Thai noodles, and grilled salmon. The sushi was definitely a highlight for us!
The restaurant is located right next to Tavernaki, so you can also enjoy the beautiful views of the beach while dining. It’s open for dinner only, and reservations are required.
Fico d’India
Fico d’India is the resort’s Italian restaurant, and it’s located by the main pool. The restaurant has a more casual atmosphere compared to the other a la carte restaurants, but the food was still delicious and satisfying.
We had lunch here one day and enjoyed some classic Italian dishes, including pizza and mozzarella salad. You don’t need any reservations for lunch, but dinner reservations are required.
Sunset Lounge Bar
This stylish bar offers the perfect spot for pre-dinner drinks and post-dinner cocktails. Overlooking the main pool and the sea, it’s the ideal setting for enjoying a beautiful sunset.
The bar also hosts afternoon tea several times per week, which we highly recommend trying. It’s a lovely way to relax and enjoy some delicious pastries and teas.
You need to reserve your spot for afternoon tea in advance, but you can just walk in for drinks throughout the day.
Final Thoughts
Staying at Grecotel LUXME White Palace was an unforgettable experience for us, and we highly recommend it to anyone looking for a luxurious and relaxing getaway in Crete.
The resort truly offers something for everyone, from its stunning pools and private beach to its exceptional dining options and spa services. We also appreciated the friendly staff and their attention to detail throughout our stay.
We hope you found this review helpful, and if you do end up staying at Grecotel LUXME White Palace, please let us know how your experience was! We’d love to hear all about it.