I lucked out and booked 5 nights at the Blue Palace on points 3 months ago for August. They were nice enough to allow me to have 4 in a room(wife and 2 kids)
It has been 6 years since I stayed at the Santa Marina. I was on a cruise 2 years ago that stopped on Mykonos, I contacted the hotel before I left home and they let me use all facilities for the day. It was great since we didn't have to deal with 2000 of our closest friends from the cruise ship! They had done an expansion since I was there and built a beautifull new pool area with lounges and couches looking out at the water.

I also booked an award stay for 3 nights about 3 months ago at the Blue Palace. I can hardly wait!

We will be taking the late evening ferry from Santorini to Crete. I understand sometimes the ferries don't run due to sea conditions. How bad is it in early August? Is there a convenient way to check and then plan for alternative means of travel?

There is an airline that is based on Crete and fly's between the Islands. It is called Sky Express. All of the other airlines fly back to Athens then over to the Islands.

We're looking at a week there last week of 'september; 2 adults 2 youth and 1 child and are booking 2 separate Bungalows. My wife and I are Plat. How do they treat Plats in general, and might it be REMOTELY possible that they upgrade us to a joined booking in one of the villas?

I'll be heading with my wife to the Blue Palace in Crete as well as the Santa Marina in Mykonos in the summer 07.

I look forward to read reports from those that are heading this summer!

No breakfast at the GB either comp or through vouchers. No lounge either. But breakfast is a nice experience, top quality products in a very nice setting. Well worth the 26 EUR or so.

Order Room Service
 

I was on an award stay at the BP and we ordered room service every day. The prices are very low because most people there are on a package that includes breakfast and they want to entice them to order RS. My wife and I were very full sharing one breakfast between the two of us for about 16 Euros. Very nice to have next to your private pool. We loved this property and also the Grande Bretagne. FYI, you should consider having drinks (but probably not dinner) on the top floor of the GB, breathtaking views.

Have a great trip!

I totally agree
.... We stayed at Grand Bretagne and Blue Palace on award stay.
In Athens as platinum we were upgraded to a nice room overlooking Sintagma Square with a nice view of the Parthenon and of the changing of the guard. We did get a fruit bowl welcome amenity. The breakfast was wonderful, great setting and food...worth the cost. We had a great dinner on the roof top with great view of the Parthenon.
At Blue Palace as platinum we were treated to an upgraded room, two level suite with private pool and a nice welcome amenity (fruit bowl, water and wine). The first morning we had breakfast in the restaurant, nice set up, a great variety of great food. Then from day 2 we ordered breakfast in the room, one breakfast is enough for 2. It was the best way to enjoy our paradise....a great greek breakfast floating in your pool overlooking the greek sea... So far for us it has been the best experience in any Starwood property. The resort is wonderful, the location better than any other Elounda resorts, the spa amazing. We tried a couple of restaurant on property, great food and reasonably priced. There are several good taverna in walking distance. The services at the hotel were good and reasonably priced, the restaurants, the spa...I was pleasantly surprised by the low cost for phone and fax....compared to other resorts it was a deal.
Overall for me Grand Bretagne a wonderful old style hotel in the best location, I will suggest to try the breakfast in the indoor restaurant and dinner and drinks on the rooftop.

But Blue Palace...is the best...Enjoy your slice of paradise from your private pool....

:p

Was at the BP 3 weeks ago on award and the breakfast was not included. You can add a half-board package for 55Euros per person per day if interested.

"two level suite with private pool"

You got a villa! :D Either Almyra or Thalassa 2BR. Not the Grand Villa since it has both indoor and outdoor pools. Assuming you went in June/July rate would have been $2300/$2700 euros/night.

The family and I just came back from the Blue Palace. We stayed 5 nights on points. We got a nice upgrade to a deluxe room(no pool). The view was great. The hotel is really nice and the pools are too. Only problem is that when you stay on points you don't get breakfast.
I can't wait to go back again.

Did you need to book two rooms for a family of four or were you all able to stay in one room? I know this is an issue at some the other European properties.

I had to find an spg person willing to make the reservation for 2 adults and 2 children. Then you will probably need to contact the hotel or they will contact you to confirm it.

I just booked for next summer -- 5 nights in the Deluxe Suite for 96,000 points.

Superior Bungalows are 12,000 (up to 16,000) points.
Superior Bungalows with private pool are 13,500 (up to 17,500) points.
Deluxe Suites are 24,000 (up to 32,000) points.
The other three room types are not available for SPG award redemptions.

91 Superior Bungalows Sea View
79 Superior Bungalows Sea View & private pool
14 Mediterranean Maisonette Suites Sea View & private pool
10 Deluxe Suites Sea View & private pool
7 Island Luxury Suites Sea View & private heated pool
3 private Villas Sea View & pool

The private pool in the Superior Bungalows is not a true private pool. It is a shared pool with dividers between bungalows.

Is the private pool for the Deluxe Suites a proper private pool, not connected to other private pools?