The Rocca a Mare in Heraklion, new Alltours Hotels and Vantarakis Hotel Collection honoured at the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2025.
Rocca a Mare in Heraklion
The Handwritten Collection is making its debut in the Greek hospitality scene with a new coastal hotel in Heraklion, Crete. Trésor Hospitality operates the property under a franchise agreement with Accor, so it’s got some substantial backing.
This addition joins more than 25 Handwritten Collection hotels in cities like Paris, Krakow, San Francisco, Sydney, and Singapore. It’s not a small deal—there’s a sense of global momentum here.
Just a 15-minute stroll from Heraklion’s city centre and Lion Square, guests get easy access to the main action. The Palace of Knossos, Heraklion airport, and the port are all around six kilometres away.
That makes it pretty convenient for travelers who want to mix comfort with quick links to transport. You don’t have to stress about getting around—always a plus.
Inside, there are 36 guest rooms and a mix of facilities for business and wellbeing. The conference hall fits up to 50 people, and there’s a gym that’s got everything you’d expect.
For downtime, the rooftop pool is calling, complete with sun loungers and a cocktail bar that looks over the sea. Not a bad spot for unwinding, honestly.
Dining-wise, the hotel’s restaurant focuses on Mediterranean flavors and local Cretan ingredients. There’s also a lounge bar, which seems to be a staple in these kinds of places.
The design leans into the island’s Minoan heritage, with nods to history in the decor and guest experiences. Welcome drinks, signature cocktails, and little touches bring that vibe to life.
It’s part of a bigger trend in European hospitality: boutique hotels with strong cultural themes and a personal touch are definitely having a moment. Handwritten Collection’s move into Greece adds to a portfolio that already covers Germany, the Netherlands, and France.
That lines up with Accor’s broader ambitions to expand into diverse European and global destinations. There’s a kind of quiet confidence about it.
Guests can expect the usual high standards—comfortable suites, wellness amenities, and thoughtful service. It’s on par with what you’d find in other major destinations like Thessaloniki and Glyfada, which is reassuring if you care about consistency.
Feature |
Details |
|---|---|
Location |
Heraklion, Crete, Greece |
Proximity |
15-minute walk to city centre, 6 km to airport and port |
Accommodation |
36 rooms, suites available |
Facilities |
Conference centre (up to 50 people), gym, rooftop pool, cocktail bar |
Dining |
Mediterranean cuisine, local Cretan ingredients, lounge bar |
Cultural Influence |
Minoan civilisation theme |
Operator |
Trésor Hospitality |
Brand Association |
Accor, Handwritten Collection |
Regional Focus |
European cities including Greek, German, Dutch, French markets |
This hotel adds to Accor’s lineup of premium, midscale, and economy properties across Eastern Europe, Italy, and Greece. It’s all about blending local character with modern comfort—a mix that’s hard not to appreciate.
New Alltours hotels on Crete
Alltours is ramping up its presence in Greece, especially on Crete, by rolling out more hotels. For summer 2025, they’re launching several new properties, including a fully refurbished 4-star beachfront resort with close to 280 rooms.
This upgrade goes hand-in-hand with Alltours’ push for higher-quality stays—comfort with a decent spread of services. There’s a clear sense that they want to offer guests a bit more than the basics.
The expansion also brings a new 5-star property in the Malia area, which is already a popular spot. On top of that, more hotels on Crete and Rhodes will be opening their doors soon.
With these moves, Alltours’ total number of hotels in Greece is creeping up to 40. That’s a lot, and it says something about how much they value the Greek market these days.
Booking numbers are up—Crete alone is seeing almost 30% growth this season, according to recent reports. That translates to tens of thousands more visitors, mostly German tourists, flocking to the island.
Alltours seems keen to keep the momentum going, focusing on family-friendly hotels with reasonable prices. Most of their new offerings are in the 4 to 4.5-star range, which feels like a sweet spot for a lot of travelers.
It’s a balancing act—quality and affordability, all wrapped up in all-inclusive packages for the middle class. That’s the bread and butter for Alltours.
One big factor in all this is the new north road link across Crete, or BOAK as locals call it. Better roads mean getting around the island is faster and safer, which encourages people to explore beyond the usual tourist hubs.
This infrastructure upgrade definitely supports Alltours’ strategy to open hotels in different parts of Crete. It’s easier to justify new locations when you know guests won’t be stuck in traffic or lost on winding roads.
Key Hotel Openings on Crete – Summer 2025 |
Details |
|---|---|
Fully Renovated 4-star Beach Resort |
Around 278 rooms, beachfront |
New 5-star Hotel in Malia |
Premium category, opening July |
Additional Family-Friendly Hotels |
4 to 4.5 stars, value-focused |
Alltours is also eyeing other Greek islands, with ongoing talks about adding even more properties. Their focus stays on family appeal and solid value, which makes sense for their brand.
Global recognition for the Vantarakis Hotel Collection at the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2025
The Vantarakis Hotel Collection just snagged some impressive wins at the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards 2025. That’s a pretty big deal for any hotel group, but especially for one that’s made a name on genuine hospitality and consistency.
Anemos Luxury Grand Resort was handed the coveted Travelers’ Choice – Best of the Best award. That puts it in the top 1% of hotels worldwide—no small feat, right?
Three more hotels from the collection also took home the Travelers’ Choice Award 2025:
- Eliros Mare Beachfront Poem Hotel: Noted for its top-notch location, stylish design, and staff that actually seem to care.
- Mythos Palace Resort & Spa: Gets a lot of love for its all-inclusive setup and those family-friendly touches.
- Pepper Sea Club Hotel: Recognized for nailing that sophisticated, adults-only vibe.
The cool part? These awards are based entirely on what travelers have to say. So, it’s not just industry hype—it’s real feedback from the folks who’ve actually stayed there.
