Rosewood Hotels & Resorts embraces Mediterranean living by announcing that the hotel group will open its first hotel in Greece in 2025. Hamish Kilburn, Editor of Hotel Designs, shares everything we know, including which island Rosewood Blue Palace will be located on and who has been appointed as interior designer…
Known in Greek mythology as the birthplace of both Europe and the thunder god Zeus, Crete’s captivating legacy has lived on through the centuries. Today, the island’s crystal-clear waters, stunning white pebble beaches, and impressive mountainscapes continue to enchant visitors with their timeless beauty and allure.
Marking Rosewood Hotels & Resorts’ entrance into Greece, and following Rosewood’s recent development in Munich, Hawaii and laying down foundations in Seoul and the Maldives, the brand is expanding with the introduction of Rosewood Blue Palace.
A reincarnation of a beloved resort, Crete’s distinguished Blue Palace will reopen as part of the Rosewood portfolio in 2025 following a reimagination of the celebrated property. Owned by Phāea (Golf Residences S.A.), the new resort will be meticulously designed to reflect Rosewood’s guiding A Sense of Place philosophy, with the entire resort experience inspired by the elegance of the Greek Islands.
Nestled between the small fishing village of Plaka and the elegant port of Elounda, Rosewood Blue Palace will be seamlessly integrated into its surroundings, offering an oasis that connects guests to Crete’s culture and history. With a charming combination of eclectic boutiques, bright blue waters, and heartfelt hospitality, this coastal retreat has been intentionally selected for the brand’s entrance into this highly coveted destination, offering a backdrop that is both chic and timeless. Set into the picturesque hillside and overlooking a private beach, Rosewood Blue Palace’s spirit will be augmented by the brand’s intuitive approach to bespoke service and experiential programming.
“With a compelling landscape that has fascinated explorers for centuries, we are delighted to mark our entrance into Greece with this stunning resort,” said Sonia Cheung, CEO of Rosewood Hotel Group. “Crete is an ideal location for creating meaningful connections that bring out guests closer to the soul of the destination and take them far beyond their expectations.”
A seaside sanctuary, the resort will feature 154 rooms and suites, 85 of which will be accentuated with private pools for those seeking elevated seclusion. Rosewood Blue Palace’s comprehensive renovation will feature interiors designed by the acclaimed Grecian firm, K-Studio, with a vision informed by Cretan tradition and identity. To help bring the resort’s culinary program to new heights, the property has tapped renowned Greek-born, London-based interior designer Afroditi Krassa, to create the spaces that house the resort’s six restaurants and bars.
Image caption: A guestroom inside Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort that reopened earlier this year. | Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
The dining program will be operated through these diverse outlets, which include several specialty restaurants and a beach club. The property’s well-appointed bar will offer travellers expansive views of the stunning Spinalonga Island off the Gulf of Elounda and an all-day restaurant will source fresh produce from local purveyors and the property’s on-site organic garden. The resort will serve as a luxury wellness escape, featuring an Asaya, Rosewood’s holistic well-being concept, alongside a fitness center, movement studio, yoga pavilion, and dedicated areas for guests to explore hydrotherapy treatments. Three outdoor pools, including those designated for adults and children, will all feature panoramic deep-blue ocean views that will allow guests to experience the majestic tranquility of the island.
A destination long admired by affluent travellers seeking natural beauty and authentic offerings, Crete is a natural fit for Rosewood’s entrance into Greece. The re-imagination of the esteemed Rosewood Blue Palace is also the latest demonstration of the brand’s ongoing evolution and growth approach that involves elevating existing and established properties to new heights. Rosewood Blue Palace will join a highly esteemed collection of European properties including Rosewood London, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel, Rosewood Villa Magna, Rosewood Vienna and Rosewood Munich, with Rosewood Amsterdam and Rosewood Schloss Fuschl set to open over the next year.
Main image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
