"If you yearn for somewhere that looks and feels akin to a traditional Cretan village, The Royal Blue with its separate stone buildings, perched along the island’s coastline, might just be the perfect hotel choice. Once you’re checked in, there really is no need to leave the property, as on-site restaurants serve authentic Greek cuisine and there are 38 pools in total (albeit some private and others shared between a small clutch of rooms to lend a feeling of exclusivity). The main swimming event is a heated expanse overlooking the sea—ideal for those visiting in shoulder season when temperatures are balmy but there’s a chill to the water in the mornings. Here, sunloungers and daybeds act like an open invite to settle in for the day; some are even suspended in the water, making a quick toe-dip an effortless way to cool off. The closest restaurant, Alarti, is mere steps away, but if you really don’t want to move, its service extends to these idyllic poolside spots. Beach people will be happy, too. There’s a sheltered manmade bay at the foot of the hotel with easy swimming conditions that instill a sense of confidence in parents of younger guests. This tribe is catered for elsewhere, too. At the spa, there’s a kids’ menu, and suites are kitted out with expansive bathrooms and tubs. The family suite is our recommendation of choice; little ones can nap on the fold-out sofa in the lounge room while parents can sunbathe in reaching distance by the pool. Even in the grown-up Elia restaurant, where the freshest catch of the day is brought out to you to choose from, and local musicians serenade guests, the atmosphere is relaxed and a kids' menu thankfully keeps youngsters happy. —Sarah Leigh Bannerman Price: from $229 per nightAddress: Panormo Geropotamou, 740 57, Greece"
