the royal senses resort in crete immerses guests in the island's cultural heritage

A CELEBRATION OF CRETAN HERITAGE

situated on a serene coast in crete, the royal senses resort connects seamlessly with its natural surroundings thanks to a blend between local heritage and contemporary elements. the resort’s 179 suites and villas vary from spacious rooms, where undisturbed sea views and natural furnishing materials recall images of private coves, to luxurious villas with private infinity pools organically carved from the rock that surrounds the island. every guest room features carpentry and furniture from highly skilled local third-generation craftsmen – many of whom make their living by building traditional fishing boats – while textiles are entirely made by hand in traditional motifs from the local women weavers association.

the latest chapter in lifestyle hospitality by the troulis royal collection and a member of hilton’s curio collection, the resort showcases its owners’ lifelong dedication to crete.‘we are fully committed to our responsibility to the island, its people and our cultural heritage. we wish to show guests all sides of the cretan identity and embed ourselves purposefully into the texture of the island,’ note co-owners zacharias, kostas and manolis troulis.

all images by nick kontostavlakis/globe & trotter

unobstructed views OF endless AEGEAN blue

the royal senses resort is located outside the picturesque village of panormos, right next to its sister property, the recently renovated sea-front royal blue with its 100-acre premises. with togetherness as a guiding principle, the hotel is built with a boundless layout that connects the indoors with the outdoors seamlessly. this sense of community is highlighted by the fact that guests can seamlessly traverse across both properties and experience the royal blue’s private beach and marina in tandem with the iconic hilltop views of the royal senses.

the resort’s overall design is developed by nikos peppas and katerina tsiolaki of peppas n architects. ‘the landscape’s rough beauty creates a wonderful juxtaposition with the clean, minimal lines of the buildings,’ says the greek studio when describing the project.‘we designed and positioned all buildings in such way that ensured unobstructed views to the endless blue of the aegean sea, wherever you are’. all rooms and suites ‘flow’ towards their outdoor terraces and the surrounding sea views. the element of water is ever present, found both in the four large communal pools and in the 74 private infinity pools of the villas.

designed by constantina tsoutsikou of studio lost, the resort’s interiors express the owners’ genuine commitment to local authenticity in a modern way. ‘we wanted to create a destination that benefits local communities,’ says tsoutsikou, who briefed local artisans in their workshops and on-site. ‘I found a wealth of excellent craftsmanship and local techniques that informed the design as we went along. we created handcrafted bespoke furniture, repurposed items, objects and artwork that celebrate the artisanal skills of the islanders throughout.’ the walls in every guest room are treated with softly textured paint and cornices, and subtly marked out with traditional cretan patterning. all rooms maximize the time spent outdoors, while the dark metal finishes and details, such as the leather-wrapped door handles, add an extra layer of depth in the overall look and feel.

true to the spirit of engagement and togetherness, the royal senses resort provides travellers a series of distinctive experiences to help them connect with the island and one another. besides three restaurants and various pop-up food bars, it features a farm, where visitors can stroll the fragrant hillside, discover a cornucopia of local herbs and harvest their own fruits and vegetables. additionally, the resort’s unique marketplace offers curated selections from small-farm producers and local artisans, while the activity spa offers therapies that exclusively utilize cretan herbs, as well as a heated pool.

reception area at the royal senses resort