Grecotel Caramel, Boutique Resort 

A retro-chic retreat on Crete’s sun-soaked north coast

A beachfront hideaway with a dash of Cretan flair, Grecotel’s Caramel Boutique Resort has everything you need for a truly pampering holiday.

Plucked from the pages of a glossy magazine but with the relaxed feel of a family holiday home, Grecotel Caramel Boutique Resort caters to everyone from honeymooning couples to families. The location helps, of course: a soft, sandy beach and sparkling sea right on the doorstep, with simple red-tiled buildings melting into leafy gardens. Inside, it’s a different story; enter through the glass main doors flanked by massive urns and neon-pink bougainvillaea and you’ll find yourself in a gleamingly white lobby complete with emerald velvet sofas. The décor throughout is a wonderfully eclectic blend of antique and contemporary, but it’s not just about the striking visuals here. You can be as laid back or energetic as you choose thanks to the impressive mix of activities on offer, from morning yoga to mountain biking trips. We particularly love the excursion to Grecotel’s own 40-hectare farm, which serves organic produce from its authentic Greek taverna and uses centuries-old farming techniques in a hilly, olive grove-dotted setting that’s quintessential Crete.

Why we love Grecotel Caramel, Boutique Resort

  • The resort is located on a 300m stretch of sandy beach, with several of the maisonettes and villas set right by the sea (villa guests get their own private gazebo on the beach).

  • We love the thoughtful touches: there’s a 24-hour Grecotel app to make planning a cinch; the fitness room has massive windows to bring in lots of light as you work out; and the wellness centre has an open-air gazebo where the massages come with refreshing sea breezes

  • It’s eclectic and retro in design, with pops of colour and Mediterranean-inspired touches throughout; think antique furnishings, velvet sofas and hand-crafted tile floors.

  • It’s great for families with a host of activities at the Grecoland kids’ club, plus children’s menus, a daily free Tasty Corner and a kids-stay-free deal for 12 year olds and under.

5 stars
May - Oct
Crete
4 hours
On the beachfront on Crete’s northern coastline, 8km from Rethymnon Old Town
Approx. 1 hour's transfer from Heraklion and Chania airports
Villas, Beach, Boutique

This resort has earned internationally recognised certification that conform to standards set by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

Rooms

Facilities

  • Restaurants & bars
  • Board
  • Spas & wellness
  • Activities
  • Diving & Watersports
  • Sustainability
  • Families

The culinary scene is excellent here, with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients – from lavish breakfast spreads at the main restaurant to gourmet à la carte dinners and casual poolside lunches. If you choose Half Board – The Dine Club, you’ll also get credit to use at Grecotel’s sister restaurants, as well as a complimentary dinner at the renowned Agreco Farm, where the Taverna serves a memorable, farm-to-table feast.

Caramel The Restaurant
Grecotel prides itself on its breakfasts, and the sumptuous buffet here doesn’t disappoint. Start the day with anything from farmhouse-style Cretan scrambled eggs and fresh-from-the-oven bread with local honey, then return in the evening for dishes inspired by the Mediterranean and beyond, made from seasonal ingredients.

Gourmet À La Carte Restaurant
Head here for al fresco Mediterranean dining by the illuminated confetti pool, with a wide range of seafood dishes and postcard-worthy views – don’t miss the Greek lobster spaghetti.

Confetti Pool Lounges
This all-day, poolside brasserie is perfectly pitched for hot-weather grazing, with plenty of salads and other light bites alongside smoothies and fresh juices.

Panther Lobby Bar
This laid-back bar sprawls across several poolside terraces and lounges. Savour a cup of coffee or local herbal tea during daylight hours, or linger with a cocktail later on to soak up the sea-and-sunset views with soothing live music.

We love the Gourmet À La Carte Restaurant for its ultra-romantic setting – think twinkling lights reflecting on the mirror pool while you tuck into fresh lobster and other seafood.

Whats Included

Breakfast at Caramel The Restaurant.

Upgrade Options

For Room, Suite, Family Suite and Maisonette guests: Half Board • Breakfast and dinner at Caramel The Restaurant • Credit allowance of 20 € per adult & 10 € per child to use at the resort's à la carte restaurants

For villa guests: ‘The Dine Club’ • Breakfast at Caramel The Restaurant • Buffet dinner at Caramel The Restaurant • Set credit to use on dinner at selected à la carte restaurants at participating sister hotels • 2 x à la carte dinners at participating hotels for guests (reservations required) or 1 x à la carte dinner and 1 x dinner at Agreco Farms for guests staying a minimum of 7 nights • The option to swap dinner for a buffet lunch at selected restaurants at Grecotel Caramel Boutique Resort or credit to use against an à la carte lunch • Kids Go Free: Children under 12 can have lunch at Tasty Corner at the main restaurant (12.30-2pm), enjoy selected snacks at Grecoland and choose from a special kids’ à la carte menu at selected restaurants throughout the resort and sister hotels.

There’s a small wellness centre offering a variety of treatments, from a signature Caramel Massage using aromatherapy and Shiatsu to facials and body scrubs. Indulge in an open-air treatment in the gazebo or head to the beauty salon for a manicure as you while away the hours. We love the fitness centre with its Technogym equipment and glass walls offering beautiful views. The resort also offers various fitness classes, including morning gymnastics, yoga and Pilates.

On land there’s boccia, darts and table tennis, while mountain bike trips, horse riding and golf are all available nearby (bookable at the front desk). Sister resort Grecotel Creta Palace is also home to two AstroTurf tennis courts, and the Agreco Farm is well worth a visit to see centuries-old farming methods.

Waterskiing, wakeboarding, sailing, canoeing and banana boat rides are all available on the beach, while a nearby PADI dive school offers scuba courses for all ages and levels.

Grecotel has adopted 13 of the UN sustainable development goals and contributes to the protection of the environment through a variety of measures. Products, where possible, are locally sourced and recycled, employees are trained and participate in environmental focussed projects and energy, water, and waste measurements are monitored.

At Caramel, the aim is to help kids to enjoy themselves and parents to relax. That starts with one club for children aged from four to 17, with tailored activities to suit, from arts and crafts to team sports and evening parties. Parents with younger offspring can travel light by pre-booking equipment such as bottle warmers and changing mats, and there’s also a baby-sitting service, kids’ menus (including a free lunchtime buffet) and plenty of highchairs.

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