In her search for that perfect all inclusive Crete holiday Katie Amps recently spent a week at Grecotel LUXME White Palace with her family. Perfection found!
Ella and Ronnie, LUXME White Palace, Crete
Are you looking for the ultimate all inclusive Crete holiday that blends family fun, luxury, and – dare I say it – relaxation?
Look no further than enchanting Grecotel LUXME White Palace. Our recent stay at this marvellous resort was nothing short of extraordinary.
White on white on the terrace, LUXME White Palace
The perfect all inclusive Crete holiday is a LUXME speciality
It’s situated halfway between Heraklion and Chania and promises an easy one-hour drive from either airport. Perfectly nestled on Crete’s North Coast, right on the beachfront the resort greets you with breathtaking views and the soothing symphony of the sea.
Our welcome? As we headed into the spacious reception area, we were met with a delightful concoction of lemon and ginger water, a whimsical rainbow lollipop that brought a giggle to our son, and refreshingly cool face towel; just what we needed to slip straight into holiday mode. Moreover, the white-on-white elegance and panoramic view of the sea over the central pool instantly took us aback.
Beach villas, LUXME White Palace
Grecotel LUXME White Palace offers families endless choice
The resort is designed across five buildings, bound by fragrant garden paths and a few brightly coloured hippos. Yes hippos, to add a little fun to your all inclusive Crete holiday. As this resort isn’t just a stay, it’s a journey into a world of unparalleled luxury.
There are 267 rooms across 16 categories and guests who opt for the Famous Class package can enjoy additional amenities, such as quick check-in and complimentary champagne upon arrival.
However, all rooms are equipped with Nespresso machines, cool tiled floors, and more of that white-on-white interior design we marvelled at on arrival. Bathrooms come with either a bathtub or a shower, and you can choose between sea or garden view rooms. Prestige Sea View bungalows also have shared pools.
Cool, calm Family Apartment, LUXME White Palace
Our spacious family room was just off the main reception and we were welcomed with a glass of bubbly and a beautifully presented snack platter: a thoughtful touch that the kids especially loved!
As well as two balconies, a dividing door separated the living area, which had two sofa beds, from the master bedroom; another thoughtful touch. We also appreciated the fact that there was a separate shower room in addition to the main bathroom. This was particularly helpful for us, as we have a teenager who likes to take long showers! Also, in addition to the Nespresso machine, there was a fully-stocked mini-bar, and a range of luxurious bath products.
Family pool with poolside service, heavenly!
Practically everything is included in this all inclusive Crete holiday
The LUXME (Luxury Made Easy) concept is all about personalised service and making your all inclusive Crete holiday as stress-free as possible. And it ticked all those boxes for us: it was so relaxing, and we felt so well looked after.
Their all-inclusive formula includes buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a variety of snacks throughout the day, served by the pool team. There were extra special touches, like the Ice Cream parlour, crêperie, and sweet shop, which were all-inclusive—basically, kiddie heaven! And LUXME didn’t forget the adults, there was even a Wine Library for wine enthusiasts.
Family disco, LUXME White Palace
There’s endless entertainment for all guests
Alongside its superb dining options, the resort boasts an exciting line-up of activities and entertainment. Also, guests can enjoy complimentary fitness and yoga classes, engage in a friendly game of table tennis, or even participate in cocktail-making classes.
For those enjoying this all inclusive Crete holiday with little ones, children under-12 stay free in their parents’ accommodation at certain times year and in certain room types. They also dine free at any of the à la carte restaurants.
The resort also has a dedicated children’s club and offers engaging activities tailored for kids, making it a great family-friendly destination.
Main pool, all inclusive Crete holiday
Pools or private beach? You don’t have to choose
Another of Grecotel LUXME White Palace highlights are the impressive pools. Altogether, the resort features 22 pools – eight are shared pools for designated rooms, 11 are private villa pools and three are for all guests.
The main pool is in the middle of the resort, right next to the entrance. A deep-blue seawater pool, it provides the perfect spot for a refreshing swim or to simply lounge by the water while enjoying a cocktail from the nearby bar. However, this area seemed more about adults, so we headed over to the activity pool designed specifically for families, but also open to all guests.
This pool was more peaceful and less crowded than the main pool, making it a great alternative. Plus, there were in-pool sunbeds and, as the pool was shallow, we could camp on the sunbed while watching our young son, Ronnie, have a ball splashing around. The beach bar offered waitress service for food and drink all day, heaven! And the water was as warm as a bath so we could dip in and out to our heart’s content, which we did because the Crete weather was scorching.
If you are travelling with small children, there is another, even more shallow, children’s pool next to the family pool. This pool is perfect for little ones and it’s covered by sunshades, another thoughtful LUXME touch.
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Private beach, LUXME White Palace, Crete
We love an all inclusive Crete holiday that includes a private beach
We’d picked an all inclusive Crete holiday partly because we’re a beach-loving family, so we were excited to find that Grecotel LUXME White Palace also has its own private beach, with crystal-clear waters.
It’s a kilometre long with a typically Cretan beach mix of sand and pebbles, all very well-maintained, and incredibly clean. You’ll find sun loungers and umbrellas waiting for you, and there’s also a beach bar with waiter service. We tended to finish our day on the beach, soaking in the last of the sun and watching the stunning sunset.
Ventanas Il Mar Restaurant, Crete
There’s nothing average on the table at LUXME White Palace
This LUXME all-inclusive Crete holiday offers a variety of dining options suitable for the whole family. We loved Ventanas del Mar, the most laid-back of the seven restaurants at the resort. Its Mediterranean buffet-style option was perfect for a quick dinner before we headed off to watch the evening entertainment. Our youngest loved the room dedicated to desserts, and my husband, newly converted to wine, enjoyed the wine-tasting room. He spent a long time with the sommelier, learning about over 150 wines from Greece and beyond, so this was definitely not your average hotel buffet experience.
Families can also enjoy traditional Greek cuisine at Tavernaki or Asian fusion dishes at Asia White. Fico d’India, the resort’s Italian restaurant, offers a more casual family atmosphere and the Sunset Lounge Bar provides a beautiful backdrop for family gatherings.
With six main restaurants and several bars, the resort caters to every taste and our all-inclusive package included buffet dining, and the opportunity to try each à la carte restaurant once a week at no extra charge, so we enjoyed a wide variety of eating experiences during our stay.
Rethymno Harbour, Crete
Three top memories from our all inclusive Crete holiday
However, three things really stood out for us during this all-inclusive Crete holiday at LUXME White Palace.
One was that it was our son’s birthday during our stay, and the hotel arranged for a balloon display in our room and a birthday cake at dinner, all completely by surprise!
Second was the town of Rethymno – only a 15-minute drive away – which captured my heart like no other in Crete. With its history, bustling restaurants, and quaint markets, it’s a treasure trove waiting to be explored. Also it’s ideal for families as there are good museums, an exciting harbour area and plenty of photo-ops round old town’s cobbled streets. Our tip? Hang on until after dark for the lively nightlife.
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- Sunset farm tour, Agreco Farm and Taverna
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- Ella and Katie, Agreco Farm and Taverna
A traditional Cretan experience makes for a magical last night
And lastly was our final night when the resort organised a visit to the Grecotel-owned Agreco Farm and Taverna for a traditional Cretan experience. And wow, was it an experience!
We headed out in the late afternoon on a chartered bus for the 20-minute drive to Agreco which turned out to be a fairy-tale traditional farm that has revived centuries-old organic practices in a unique way.
Our group took a tour, sampling olive oil, cheese, and wine, and learning about the farm’s history from our excellent and informative guide. There was also a small farmyard experience where the children could meet the goats, rabbits, and deer – that looked distinctly like reindeer. Ronnie now thinks Santa lives in Crete!
Then, dinner was served in the al fresco taverna, where there was a beautiful gift shop and on-site painter, who you could watch in action! The food was amazing, and we were happy that Ronnie tried everything, from feta to stuffed peppers! It was a real meat feast, which made for the perfect dining experience for the rest of us!
Agreco Farm Experience, LUXME White Palace
Thank you for the memories we’ll treasure forever
Summing up, our all inclusive Crete holiday at Grecotel LUXME White Palace was nothing short of magical, creating memories we’ll treasure forever. The resort is a true paradise for families, blending luxury with many activities and experiences, and catering to every age. And its stunning pools, shimmering private beach, and diverse dining options provided endless fun and relaxation for us all!
Plan this all inclusive Crete holiday
How to get there
Direct UK flights to Crete from 4 hours
Where to stay
LUXME White Palace, Family Guest Room (sleeps up to 4) all-inclusive, from £158 per night
A little more about Grecotel LUXME White Palace
LUXME’s chic flagship property sits on the island’s north coast and features open-style public spaces and generous light-filled accommodations. Its stretch of sandy beach truly sets it apart, whilst further distinguishing facilities include a saltwater pool, family activity pool and children’s pool, as well as a diverse entertainment offering that includes white parties, movie nights and children’s shows.
New for 2024 is the Swim-Up Room Collection ranging from suites, bungalows and family rooms with direct swimming pool access, as well as the new Yali Seafront Villas providing sensational views of the Cretan sea and private pools. On hand for those seeking relaxation and recuperation is The Hippie Spa, which provides signature treatments inspired by the wellness rituals of Ancient Greece, with further health and wellness activities include outdoor pilates, stretching and yoga classes.