This Greek hotel will make you reconsider the all-inclusive concept
If, like me, your first experience of Crete was a package holiday some time in the early Noughties, it might not immediately spring to mind when looking for a glamorous summer destination. But as the fifth biggest island in the Mediterranean – and the most sizeable of Greece’s hundreds of landmasses – there’s obviously a lot more to it than the 18 to 30 resorts (I’m looking at you, Malia) with their lurid-cocktail-filled watermelons and giant straws, overly keen club touts and English greasy spoons lining the strip.
I’m not knocking it, there’s a time and a place for all of these things. But Crete also has Venetian old towns and magnificent harbours, vineyards and hiking trails, buzzy waterfronts and ancient ruins such as the Knossos Palace, famed for housing the mythical Minotaur.
As one of Greece’s original package-holiday destinations, Crete is still an excellent choice for the all-inclusive escape and it has resorts that excel in the art of making a buffet elegant (it’s possible). There’s a reason this time-tested formula is still popular, not least for families in search of a break from domestic duties and a good old-fashioned dose of sun and fun – which is precisely what awaits at Luxme White near Rethimno…
The resort
It’s all about the pool at Luxme White, which has a supersize square edition at its heart, as well as an almost as big children-friendly version round the back, where a thoughtful canvas shade has been strung up above the water and the unicorn inflatables can roam free. There’s now a spa in what was once a cavernous nightclub (the Shirley Valentine in me can picture the discos clearly – take me back to the Eighties), but fear not, the evening entertainment is alive and well over by the sunset bar, with saxophonists and singers on rotation.
There’s also a more tasteful stage for kids’ entertainment out on the lawn, together with some statues of hippos, pigs and crocodiles to amuse them further. Staying true to the resort’s name, the rooms are mostly white, with the pastel-streaked sky providing most of the colour come sunset. There are multi-room options available for families, and swim-up suites for novelty value, too.
The food
As befits any self-respecting all-inclusive stay, there are lots of restaurants to work your way through, which means you’re unlikely to get bored. My personal favourite was the White, the resort’s fine-dining outpost, at which you can dine once during your stay – it serves Mediterranean and Greek cuisine, with a bread trolley being wheeled around and candyfloss-covered puddings to save space for.
Another highlight was a trip over to the Grecotel family farm for a quick tour of the vintage machinery with an optional petting visit to the resident animals, before a traditional all-Greek taverna dinner of mezze and stuffed vegetables (dolmades), grilled meats and chips, and orange cake. The incredible Greek food kept coming over lunch at Tavernaki, where we feasted on traditional dishes such as calamari, Greek salad, pork souvlaki, slow-cooked lamb and baked grouper fillet with chickpeas.
We also did a wine tasting accompanied by delicious small plates of anchovy toast, oysters and ceviche, prepared by the chef as the sommelier did her bit. Some of the restaurants at the resort vary season to season, with the occasional pop-up in place – an enduring favourite has been the Lobsteria, which will be reappearing next summer. As the name suggests, the menu is focused on the prized crustacean, served at the water’s edge in soup, ceviche and pasta.
It would be impossible to go hungry here – on hand for all your nibble needs are a late-night bar, a confectionery shop, an ice-cream parlour and a coffee and juice bar, with days starting, of course, at the vast breakfast buffet.
The location
The White is on Crete’s northern coast, close to the town of Rethimno, which is certainly worth a visit for its Venetian harbour, hilltop citadel and lighthouse. Also within a short drive is the ancient city-state of Eleutherna, now home to an archaeological museum that recently hosted a Picasso exhibition; the sacred Arkadi monastery; the pretty village of Margarites; and the Melidoni cave.
What to do
The temptation to stay put beside one of the huge pools will be strong, but if you can summon the strength to venture further afield, you’ll be rewarded with great things – especially if you journey an hour west to Chania or east to the Knossos Palace. If you’re staying on the island for a little longer, you might want to explore other parts of the island, such as Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos. Closer to home, sister hotel Caramel is where to head for a special sunset experience, with cocktails and bites served on the sand.
Guests of the hotel have access to the Poseidon Aqua Park at sister stay Grecotel Marine Palace, and families will also be able to make use of Luxme White’s kids’ club, watersports centre and beach.
You Might Also Like
