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Sensimar Royal Blue Resort & Spa

LUXURY COLLECTION Wonderful staff, beautiful facilities and fabulous scenery – Sensimar Royal

Blue Resort & Spa ticks all these boxes. After flying in to Crete quite early in the morning, we were happy to be able to sink into bed as soon as we arrived at the resort. Nothing was too much for the helpful staff – whether we needed extra pillows, help with directions, or tips on places to visit.

The resort is simply stunning – set on a private bay – and we were

immediately struck by the beauty of the natural surroundings, the decor and the overall feeling of luxury. There are numerous private and public swimming pools dotted about, surrounded by colourful gardens. The hotel has its own secluded beach with a watersports centre and bar.

Our suite was huge, and more like a luxurious apartment than a hotel room. We had a spacious balcony overlooking the beach – the perfect spot for a cocktail at sunset.

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SENSIMAR ROYAL BLUE RESORT & SPA

Panormo Geropatamou, 74057Rethymnon, Crete, GreeceT: +30 283 40 550 00 E: info@royalblueresort.com

GETTING THERELuxury car pick-up can be arranged. Buses run from Heraklion, Rethymnon and Chania airports to a stop 300m away. Taxis are readily available

FACILITIESEAT Symposium offers an international buffet, Il Posto Azzuro serves Italian cuisine, Kulinarium adds a Cretan touch to Mediterranean staples, and Junsui Asia specialises in Thai and Chinese dishes

DRINK Blue Time Lounge, Cigar Bar, Kafeneio, Enoteca and the Beach Bar – cocktails, coffee, whiskeys, juices, cigars... you name it, they’ve got it!

CONNECTION Wireless internet is available throughout

SERVICE Multilingual staff, 24-hour room service, babysitting,private dining, laundry service, postal service, parking, car rental services, private chef on request

HEALTH Pure Senses Spa (fitness centre, sauna, hammam, treatments, indoor pool), private beach, doctor on call

SPORTS Tennis courts (lessons available), pool, mini-golf

HOW TO BOOKwww.ghotw.com/royal-blue-resort

UK: +44 20 7380 3658US: +1888 222 8859INT: +1 972 894 1182

Pure Senses Spa encompasses the best of nature to give guests a unique wellbeing

experience that is completely bespoke – the selection of fantastic products will make you feel brilliant inside and out.

The spa is a place where you can relax, rejuvenate and forget about your troubles through a mix of sumptuous treatments by talented therapists and exquisite, mood-enhancing fragrances.

As well as indulging ourselves in treatments, we enjoyed unwinding in the superb spa facilities – from a sauna and hammam to an indoor heated pool with seawater.

I was impressed by the choice of skin-soothing facials, and eventually plumped for the Anne Semonin Deep Marine Purifying Facial – it seemed the best choice for my problematic skin. It started with a deep cleanse combined with a traditional steam-and-extraction technique, which left my skin looking and feeling instantly radiant! Then my therapist performed a gentle massage before letting an aromatic mask sink in for a few minutes, which soothed my aggravated complexion and let me relax for a while. My skin was visibly brighter, and after a quick sauna session it looked even better.

The Anne Semonin Soul Foot Therapy helped soothe my feet after long days walking along the beach in the blazing sun, thanks to a combination of nourishing oils and serums.

SPA HIGHLIGHTS• Anne Semonin Deep Marine Purifying Facial• Anne Semonin Eye Brilliance Treatment• Black Sand Body Scrub with Aromatic Body Massage• Choco Body Sweet Harmony Treatment•Cleopatra Body Sensation•Exotic Ceylon Massage•Four Hands Massage•Red Grapes Bath•Anne Semonin Soul Foot Therapy

SPA

Thanks to its fabulous location and discreet atmosphere, the Sensimar Royal Blue Resort is

perfect for holidays with your loved one. The resort is built on its own private bay, making it feel all the more exclusive. All rooms have fabulous sea views, giving guests something stunning to wake up to and setting the tone for each day in the sun together.

We had a luxury villa with a private pool and loungers, so we felt like we were part of the hotel, but with the

benefit of a secluded sanctuary. The hotel staff arranged a candlelit dinner for us in our villa – it was great to have time alone. Day trips, car hire, sightseeing suggestions and more were all handled efficiently by the hotel staff.

Waking up each day to the endless blue sea was truly inspiring. In the evening we sat on the balcony with a glass of wine, watching the sunset. The resort has a really contemporary feel about it, but there is definitely something of traditional Greece too.

TO ENJOY TOGETHER•Candlelit dining in the privacy of your own villa•Long afternoons lazing beside your private pool•Strolls around the bay•Delicious cocktails at the Blue Time Lounge Bar•Tennis lessons for two•Cocktails at sunset by the pool•Spa treatment for two at the Pure Senses Spa•Honeymooners can book a special turndown service (petals,

flowers, cake, champagne and breakfast in bed)

ROMANCE

At Pure Senses Spa, you can relax, rejuvenate and forget your troubles