Hôtel Hersonissos PalaceAll Inclusive in Crete

Claire Vasseur

Greece & Eastern Mediterranean specialist · 5 min read

You arrive in Crete, the island the Gods themselves would have envied. The Hersonissos Palace welcomes you facing the Aegean Sea, where intense blue waters meet the sleek facades of an establishment designed for absolute comfort. Before you even set down your bags, you feel that Mediterranean ease of life that Cretans have perfected over millennia. Here, in Hersonissos, your odyssey begins between beachfront relaxation and historical discoveries: the palace of Knossos is just 22 km away, the fishing villages of Chania await you, and this divine island will enchant you from day one.

Arrival

You step through the palace doors around 3 PM. The 140 rooms feature sleek, contemporary design, far from typical hotel clichés. Soothing colors dominate: off-white, soft blues, natural materials. Each room has a terrace or balcony, essential in Crete for watching sunsets over the Aegean. Air conditioning hums quietly, high-speed WiFi reconnects you in seconds, and the minibar awaits your first refreshments. Your room choice depends on your preferences. The Standard Room of 28-30 m² is perfect for couples or small families. The Side Sea View Room offers the same dimensions and amenities with that visual bonus only Crete provides. Suites adopt the same spacious format. Solo travelers choose the 20 m² Single Room. All feature bathrooms with shower or bathtub, hairdryer, safe deposit box, and flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Reception operates 24/7, MasterCard and Visa accepted.

Dining, all included

All-inclusive means buffet at the main restaurant for every meal. You eat when you choose, which in Crete means light lunch around 1 PM and generous dinner late evening. Cretan and Mediterranean cuisines naturally dominate. During the day, you refresh at the Know Bar by the beach, where cocktails arrive between your toes in the sand. The Pool Bar serves cold and hot drinks. A unique feature: the Gingin Bar, specialized in gin cocktails (8 house recipes), accompanied by tea and filter coffee, with non-alcoholic options available. Full-board packages typically include these beverages. We invite you to verify all-inclusive details directly with JustRelax, as inclusions may vary by season and room type.

Days by the water

Hersonissos Palace has two outdoor freshwater pools, plus a children's outdoor pool and indoor pool. Access is free, pool towels provided, loungers and parasols aligned on the manicured solarium. You spend your mornings on sun loungers, a book in one hand, cool drink in the other. The actual beach sits 900 meters away, a typical Mediterranean pebble beach where sand turns to smooth stones that massage your feet. Loungers and parasols are available. For the athletic, table tennis fills lazy hours, tennis lessons await if you want to improve. The fitness room offers basic weights for those who can't abstain. Light animation staff propose daily and evening activities, never forcing anything upon you. The Spa and wellness center at partner Hersonissos Maris hotel is accessible via free shuttle. A sauna operates there for muscle recovery. Spa treatments (massage, scrub, facials) are supplementary, as are nearby water sports (sailing, paddling, diving) and billiards.

Evening vibes

Around 7 PM, the island shifts color. Cliffs turn orange, the sea shifts from turquoise to violet. The palace animation team springs to life: light shows, live music depending on season, relaxed atmosphere but never forced. The three bars (main, pool, gin bar) deploy full nighttime power. You finish your evening sipping a final gin and tonic under stars, hearing waves crash the pebbles a few hundred meters below.

Who is it for?

Hersonissos Palace suits couples seeking sophisticated beach relaxation, families avoiding traditional vacation club chaos, and senior couples wanting comfort and access to Crete's historical treasures. Standard rooms and suites welcome small families (2 adults + 1 child, or 3 adults maximum). Children enjoy a dedicated pool. However, the hotel is not adapted for people with reduced mobility, an important point to consider before booking. Culture enthusiasts appreciate proximity to Knossos Palace (22 km), Heraklion Museum, and Venetian villages of Chania. Aquaworld Aquarium and Lychnostatis Open Air Museum are nearly on-site (500 m to 2 km). Adventurers can explore Cretan safaris or water parks within a few kilometers (Acqua Plus at 4 km, Safari Club Crete at 8 km).