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In short: Tripplo’s AI analysis covers a sample of 36 guest reviews of Phāea Blue - Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Guests in the sample highlight Service & staff (21 of 21 mentions positive), Food & restaurants and The rooms.

Crete, Greece

Phāea Blue - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

5-Star Hotel
Phāea Blue, member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World is being reimagined as a boutique hotel, rooted in consciousness, innovation, and community. We offer a more intimate, personalized island experience—inviting guests to discover a truer, more timeless Greece. Set amid Crete’s azure waters and rugged landscape, Phāea Blue has welcomed guests for over two decades with genuine Cretan warmth and hospitality. Unmistakably Greek, the revitalized rooms and suites reflect a relaxed yet refined island esthetic with natural materials, eclectic Greek pieces of art, private pools, a color palette drawn from the surrounding environment, and a style seasoned with historical detail. Dining is a soulful journey into local culture. From modern Greek dishes at Anthós to seaside meals at Blue Door Taverna, every bite tells a story.
5-Star Hotel
Crete, Greece
Outdoor swimming pool
Free Wifi
Beachfront
Free parking
Family rooms
Airport shuttle

Tripplo's verdict, based on guest reviews

Tripplo’s analysis · Updated 26 September 2026 · How we review hotels

Phāea Blue suits guests who want a private pool without a large resort around it. Most rooms have their own pool, the setting is directly on the Elounda coast, and the airport shuttle is included. The scale is deliberately small, which means few rooms and a quiet stretch of coast rather than somewhere to walk out into.

Set along Crete's rugged coastline in Elounda, Phāea Blue pairs boutique intimacy with genuine Cretan hospitality developed over two decades. The property suits travelers seeking a quieter, design-conscious island stay with private pools and beachfront access, rather than a large-scale resort atmosphere. Its dual dining venues and community-rooted ethos appeal particularly to guests interested in local culture alongside comfort.

Guests score it 9.4 out of 10 — the average across the 53 hotels we list on Crete is 9.1.

  • Many rooms and suites feature private pools, offering guests a secluded spot to enjoy Crete's climate without sharing space with other visitors.
  • Direct access to a private beach area lets guests step from their room to the Aegean, ideal for those prioritizing sea proximity.

Should you book it?

Phāea Blue - Small Luxury Hotels of the World is worth booking for couples wanting private pools and beachfront seclusion — but pick somewhere else if you want a large resort with abundant room availability.

Book it if you want

  • Couples wanting private pools and beachfront seclusion
  • Travellers who value boutique, personalised service over big resorts
  • Guests keen on two distinct on-site dining options
  • Families wanting family rooms with beach and pool access

Pick somewhere else if

  • You want a large resort with abundant room availability
  • You dislike an hour-long transfer from Heraklion airport
  • You're wary of booking during the property's renovation phase

Rooms & which one to pick

Our tip: Couples after sea views without the extra spend should book the Signature Room or Deluxe Bungalow Sea View, both with a king bed for two; if you want a private heated pool as well, step up to the Deluxe Bungalow Sea View Private Heated Pool or Island Suite Sea View Private Heated Pool. Families or groups needing space should look at the Blue Maisonette Suite Private Heated Pool (sleeps 5) or the Phāea Blue Villa, which sleeps 8 across two king beds and two twin beds.

  • Signature Room1 king bedsleeps 2Sea View
  • Deluxe Bungalow Sea View1 king bedsleeps 2Sea View
  • Deluxe Bungalow Sea View Private Heated Pool1 king bedsleeps 2Private Heated PoolSea View
  • Deluxe Suite Sea View1 king bed and 1 sofa bedsleeps 4Sea View
  • Junior Suite Private Heated Pool1 king bed and 1 sofa bedsleeps 4Private Heated Pool
  • Blue Maisonette Suite Private Heated Pool1 king bed and 1 sofa bedsleeps 5Private Heated Pool
  • Island Suite Sea View Private Heated Pool1 king bed and 1 sofa bedsleeps 4Private Heated PoolSea View
  • Phāea Blue Villa1 king bed, 1 king bed, 2 twin bedssleeps 8Family Room

Room types as listed on Booking.com; availability varies by date.

Photos from previous guests

Photos provided by Google

What guests say

Reviews from Google
4 months ago
“They are in a class of their own. The best hotel experience I have ever had. Everything was perfect. The staff was extremely accommodating and go above and beyond for their guests. The room with the private pool is the way to go. The view of the water is incredible. Food and drinks are top notch. I never had to wait for my car, transportation, or for help. Perfect.”
— Ciccio P
4 months ago
“The hotel is in an amazing location, beautifully maintained, and the food is delicious. Most importantly, the level of service is truly exceptional. Everyone is kind, welcoming, and always willing to help far beyond expectations. This is honestly one of the best hotels we have ever stayed at anywhere in the world.”
— עומר אבן חיים
4 months ago
“Wow - it was amazing. We have stayed at some pretty special hotels but this was one of the best. From the moment we arrived we had fantastic treatment. Our car was parked for us, our luggage taken to our room and we were given a drink in the gorgeous reception area. Our room was spacious with a balcony, dressing room and lovely view. The staff went above and beyond and clearly loved their jobs - nothing was too much trouble. Everything was immaculately clean. We had the 'pop-up' dinner in the vegetable garden one night - we sat at a group table and had plates of food to share all cooked outside over wood and in outdoor ovens and all fresh local produce and great communal dining. Breakfast had a huge self service buffet of fresh produce and amazing cooked to order choice. There is a private beach and you can get a speedboat to Spignalonga island and you can eat a snack lunch on the beach. The pool is heated and the pool area is relaxing and clean. We just loved it all.”
— Judith Little
3 months ago
“My family and I visited here in May 2026 for part of our Cretan holiday, and left feeling like we were leaving part of our family! Phaea blue had not only the most incredible and serene property, they had the most wonderful staff we’ve ever encountered! From the moment we arrived at the property, the hospitality was unmatched. My 4 year old formed such bonds with the staff - Maria from the Anthos restaurant we visited in the mornings, chef Giannis from the Blue Door restaurant and the farmers pop up feast, our chef who gave us a Cretan cooking class, Dora, and the rest of the wonderful staff were so kind, knowledgeable, and really made us feel like we were part of their family for the 5 days we stayed at the resort! (Extra shout out to the hair stylist Marina who squeezed me in last minute and gave me an incredible wash and blow!!!) The breakfast every morning was just fabulous - we were greeted with smiles and some of the freshest farm to table food. The restaurants on the hotel campus were also just mind blowing - this may be the first time we went to a resort and didn’t leave the campus, because every need felt met! Food, vibes, connections - all unmatched! If you visit, make sure you try to get a seat at the farmers feast pop up, the food is spectacular and the produce from the phaea farm is just wow! Thank you phaea blue for the most memorable and wonderful day for our family!!! We miss you all dearly!”
— Deepika Kewlani-Varkey
3 months ago
“We came for our wedding anniversary and left completely blown away. The staff here are something else, the hospitality was on another level, every single person we came across was so genuine and warm. They really went out of their way to make our anniversary special and it did not go unnoticed. Can’t thank them enough. Especially, Efremia, who helped arrange a special surprise. The location is stunning. It has this peaceful, oasis-like feel that just wraps around you the moment you arrive, but what I loved is you’re still close enough to some of the towns if you fancy getting out and exploring a bit. So you really do get the best of all worlds. Honestly cannot recommend this place enough. If you’re on the fence, just book it. You won’t regret it.”
— Elaine Tanella

What guests actually say

Tripplo’s AI analysis uses a sample of 36 guest reviews. Texts may be shortened. Mentions are counted after AI classification and describe the sample, rather than every guest’s experience.

Food & restaurants

14 reviews · 14 positive · 0 negative

  • +Breakfast described as delicious/great multiple times
  • +Food and drinks called 'top notch' and 'amazing'
  • +Wonderful culinary experience mentioned across restaurants
  • +Staff/chefs from specific restaurants praised by name
”Food and drinks are top notch.” — guest, translated

Service & staff

21 reviews · 21 positive · 0 negative

  • +Staff repeatedly called exceptional/excellent and accommodating
  • +Guests highlight staff going 'above and beyond'
  • +Personalized touches like champagne/cake for celebrations
  • +Specific staff members praised by name for warmth

Pools, beach & aquapark

3 reviews · 3 positive · 0 negative

  • +Private pools with sea views praised
  • +Beach described as great

The rooms

14 reviews · 14 positive · 0 negative

  • +Rooms described as large, modern and comfortable
  • +Some rooms have private pools with island views
  • +Spacious rooms with balconies and dressing rooms
  • +Thoughtful, stylish and characterful design
”The rooms were large modern and so comfortable.. we had our own private pool with views of Spinalonga island.” — guest, translated

Location

8 reviews · 8 positive · 0 negative

  • +Location repeatedly called stunning/amazing
  • +Incredible, spectacular views from the property
  • +Peaceful, oasis-like atmosphere noted
”The location is stunning. It has this peaceful, oasis-like feel.” — guest, translated

condition & cleanliness, noise levels, value for money are mentioned too rarely in the sample for an honest picture — we don't guess.

Want to go deeper?

Download the Tripplo Report for Phāea Blue - Small Luxury Hotels of the World — the full category analysis, room guide, price analysis and alternatives as a PDF.

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Frequently asked questions

How do guests rate Phāea Blue - Small Luxury Hotels of the World?

Phāea Blue - Small Luxury Hotels of the World is rated 4.7 out of 5 on Google, based on 967 reviews. On Booking.com it scores 9.4/10 from 121 guest reviews.

How many stars does Phāea Blue - Small Luxury Hotels of the World have?

Phāea Blue - Small Luxury Hotels of the World is a 5-star hotel.

What amenities does Phāea Blue - Small Luxury Hotels of the World offer?

Phāea Blue - Small Luxury Hotels of the World offers Outdoor swimming pool, Free Wifi, Beachfront, Free parking, Family rooms, Airport shuttle.

Weather & sea temperature — Crete

Right now: 21° air · 25° sea

Avg daytime max (°C)Sea (°C)Warmest months
Data: Open-Meteo

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