A bohemian bungalow with extra space

Gone are the newborn days of two cribs squeezed into the corner of our room – at this stage, a suite with a proper separate sleeping space isn’t a luxury, it’s a non-negotiable. We booked into the Deluxe Family Bungalow which, despite the name, is actually within a building of other rooms rather than a standalone bungalow (worth knowing before you book with that image in mind!)

That said, the two-bedroom layout delivered exactly what we needed. We had a king-sized bed – and when I say king-sized, there was more than enough room for any stowaways to creep in – with an adjoining room housing bunk beds, however my boys, Jude and Beau, slept in cots

The bunk beds would be such a fun sleeping arrangement for older kids and both rooms have their own bathrooms too which is perfect for teenagers wanting privacy. Add in lovely finishes, stylish touches and nice toiletries, and the five-star accommodation box was definitely ticked for me

A cultural adventure for curious little minds

The headline act for families with children is the kids’ club, completely free of charge for ages 3-12, with a daily itinerary packed with cooking, dancing, crafting and more, plus an outdoor play area for when they need to burn off energy. I popped my head in to take a look and it was a hive of activity and fun

At 18 months, Jude and Beau weren’t quite old enough to join in yet – but the hotel certainly hadn’t forgotten about the youngest guests. There’s a dedicated play area for babies and toddlers that parents can use together, and it was a genuinely lovely touch for those moments when the pool had lost its appeal. The boys absolutely loved exploring a fresh variety of toys and the little Wendy house in the garden – it kept them busy in the best way. There are also babysitter available to book 

My boys are food obsessed so the Treehouse Picnic experience was such a cute edition to the stay. It was special to have a private moment as a family and the treehouses can also be rented for sleepovers, which would make an unforgettable memory for slightly older kids. Another example of a hotel that goes the extra mile to create really unique experiences that families can enjoy together

Organic food and scenic settings

The main buffet restaurant, Mediterraneo, serves breakfast and dinner with a brilliant selection of fresh food – Jude and Beau got to try so many things they’d never encounter at home, which I loved. Almyra, the Italian with views of the beach, has a slightly more grown-up feel, but is completely welcoming to little ones. We had a great time there and of course, all toddlers love pasta no matter where they are in the world

Mouries sits in a charming courtyard full of warmth and serves traditional Cretan cuisine, while Mezze brings levant-inspired dishes against the backdrop of the pool. And for lazy lunches by the water, The Beach Shack has a lighter menu that was perfect for sun-soaked grazing at lunch time while the little ones played in the sand

Both my boys and I are vegan, and I was genuinely impressed by what was on offer for us. We were never short of options on the adult menu (the kids’ menu slightly less so) and ate some really tasty dishes. Knowing the ingredients are locally sourced and some even grown in the resort’s own kitchen garden was something a health-conscious mum was pleased to discover too

Turquoise waters for water babies

The hotel’s main pool is centred in the middle of the resort within lush gardens and is lined with sun loungers and day beds. Having sun loungers on the grass was a nice touch, as it felt more rustic and toddler-safe and if you had a lie-in and got to the pool late, you could still pop your towels on the grass which was a good base for my sons to play with their toys. Adjacent is a small paddling pool for babies to feel comfortable in the water and we definitely made the most of that. It’s worth noting that the pools are heated – a game changer with little ones and also for anyone who prefers their pool not to be freezing in the mornings!

The beach beautiful. It has a blue flag and is very clean and calm, spread across two little bays. It was such a special setting that we headed to for sunset drinks with the boys every evening. Extra large comfy sofas meant we could lounge freely sipping cocktails whilst they played in the sand and the sunsets were unmatched. It’s worth noting that whilst it’s a sandy beach, rocks line the water so it requires extra monitoring for little feet

If you want to mix beach and pool time easily then you’ll definitely find here. Just a short walk between the two means you can keep kids entertained by visiting both over the course of a morning or afternoon, and if you need to pop back to the room it’s never far away either. Exactly what you want with very little ones

So much on offer for parents too

If your kids are young like ours, you’ll no doubt need to tag team to do anything solo. But do try to fit in some of the fab things for grown ups to do too

I loved my trip to the amazing aptly named ‘Cute’ Spa which is tucked among the banana trees. So relaxing. I also actually managed to read a book on the beach for a few hours whilst the boys napped which was the greatest luxury imaginable (all mums of toddlers will agree I’m sure!), and then swapped with my partner who went to the gym to get turn for some ‘me time’

There’s a ton of experiences you can book too such a cookery, wine tasting, olive oil tasting and plenty of local excursions that the hotel can book – some that you can take kids on too

If golf is your thing then you’ll be pleased to hear that they can book rounds at the lovely Crete Golf Club. There’s also yoga and mindfulness sessions at the hotel too

Meet the mama

Gemma is a fashion editor and travel writer based in London. Her work has taken her across the globe, writing for magazines internationally and bringing a sharp eye for style to every destination she covers. When she’s not jetting off to sunnier destinations, she’s at home juggling life with her adorable twin boys, Jude and Beau