Grecotel LUX.ME White Palace ★★★★★

Oh to have my feet touch those silky, impossibly soft sands again and to slip into that azure, crystal clear water, diving my head under its temperate surface to cool off from the brilliant sun that glitters gloriously on all it touches. Our plane lands with a bump and I am nudged out of my reverie to find my daydream is shortly to become a reality. We have arrived! My partner squeezes my hand, as excited as I am, and we step off the plane in search of that slice of paradise we have been longing for. Our quest has brought us to the ancient and beautiful town of Rethymno, by which lies a spectacular hotel that seems to promise all the relaxed joy of living the Greeks are so talented at, as well as an infinity of luxurious pleasures to make our stay as pampered and perfectly heavenly as possible. This is what we are hoping for and this is what we get.

We are received with frank friendliness and shown to our room, which is like stepping into a modern day, chic fairytale. In fact I am momentarily worried that we have been shown to a family suite rather than a double room and that we are about to be swiftly taken out again and relocated somewhere far less fabulous. But no, this is the humbler room and I can only imagine what the suites or villas must be like! For we have it all. Mod-cons including tea and coffee facilities as well as snazzy flat screen TV with satellite, two balconies looking out over the sea, floor to ceiling windows that let all the magnificence of our surroundings in, as sunlight floods the huge, airy space and the most marvellous bathroom! With walk-in shower and bath, as well as cosy dressing gowns and slippers, we also have yet more stunning vistas from here. Everywhere you look that sea is winking at you and calling you out to play.

It's irresistible and, grabbing beach bags, we head out to explore the hotel as we wind our way to the that enticing stretch of sand. On the way we pause to accept our welcome drinks and book a table for that evening at the White Restaurant, which is set on an incredible terrace, surrounded by silky water and promises to be the perfect place to wind up watching the sunset over freshly grilled prawns and fresh white wine. We are wowed by the garden, the outdoor theatre and cinema, the infinite array of thoughtful services and above all that earthy, natural ambiance that has me joyfully leaving my shoes behind in our room and walking barefoot almost everywhere we go from the first day on! Then at last we reach the beach. Diamonds dance on the water as we slip into our swimwear in the handy changing cabins and head out hand in hand to the gently lapping waves that beckon us on. As we swim out, we turn to see it in all its splendour, our stunning hotel and perfect retreat of relaxation, joyful abandon and pure well-being on this small piece of utopia that we have found for ourselves.