Daios Cove, Crete: A Family-Friendly Review
There are hotels that look lovely in photos, and then there’s Daios Cove – the sort of place that makes you stop mid-sentence when you first arrive. Tucked into a private, picture-perfect cove on Crete’s north coast, it tumbles down the hillside towards impossibly clear water, lush greenery and that spectacular Aegean-blue sea stretching out in front of you. It’s undeniably beautiful, but it also works incredibly well for families with some of the best childcare you’ll find in an all-inclusive resort. Here mum-of-twins Gemma gives us the lowdown on why it’s a great place to book for a relaxing holiday with very little ones
Words: Gemma Louise Deeks
Published: 11th August 2026 | Last updated: 12th August 2026
Your most asked questions, answered
What makes Daios Cove so good for families?
Genuinely geared towards families of all ages, Daios Cove has clearly built its offering around them without sacrificing the style and luxury that makes adults feel properly catered for too. The resort is large, but the attention to detail means you’re well looked after in all areas. This place is absolutely five-star and it’s clear to see why families rebook year after year
What's included for families at Daios Cove?
On the childcare side, the set up is one of the best you’ll come across in a luxury European all-inclusive resort
The Crèche welcomes babies and toddlers from 4 months to 4 years, with qualified nursery staff and a proper, safe set-up designed for little ones. Sessions are split across the day, so you can book childcare around your plans rather than having to hand them over for the whole day. It’s an additional cost, although some family villa stays include a complimentary daily session. Pre-booking is essential
Once they hit 4, children graduate to the Kids’ Club, which is free and runs up to age 12. There are multilingual staff, indoor and outdoor toys, creative activities, games, an outdoor playground and pool games in the children’s pool – so plenty to keep energetic school-age kids busy
Older children and teens aren’t forgotten either. There’s a Games Room with pool, table tennis, team games and video gaming, while the resort’s watersports and sports activities give bigger kids plenty of opportunities for fun
The kids’ club run evening sessions and babysitting is also available for an extra charge and must be booked in advance
You can pre-book items including strollers, baby monitors, sterilisers, bottle warmers, potties, and high chairs and if you are staying in a villa with a pool, free pool fencing and staircase safety gates are available
What's the dining set up at Daios Cove?
The dining options at Daios Cove really are five-star. Pangea is the main buffet restaurant for breakfast and dinner, with an impressive international spread, plenty of Cretan dishes and a grill where meat and fish are cooked over wood fire. It’s really welcoming of families and there are highchairs a plenty
For something more relaxed and distinctly Greek, Taverna serves Cretan and Mediterranean dishes, while Ocean is the smart, sophisticated option, with beautifully presented Mediterranean food inspired by the Greek sea and land
Then there’s The Beach House, right by the sea, for laid-back lunches and Mediterranean-style dishes, and RHO, the adults-only restaurant for a more special evening – it’s only open to guests aged 14+
For drinks and snacks, Crystal Box is the gorgeous all-day bar, while Ocean Bar and Firefly add more options
There is an all-inclusive option or half board, and on that you can use your allowance at the à la carte restaurants through the Dine Around scheme, so dinner never feels like the same old buffet night after night. Room service is also included in the all-inclusive package which is great
Where is Daios Cove?
Daios Cove sits on the coast of Crete in the privacy of a secluded cove in Vathi, Agios Nikolaos, about an hour from Heraklion Airport. A manageable taxi ride and opportunity for your little ones to nap!
The first thing that hits you on arrival is the view, the hotel is built across multiple floors cascading down toward the sea, which means the ocean is visible from almost every vantage point. Prepare to be wowed
When is best to visit Daios Cove?
We visited in early June, warm enough to feel like a proper holiday without worrying our toddlers were going to get heatstroke at every moment
The post-half-term timing also meant the hotel had a lovely mix of couples and young families, so not overrun by millions of older kids which is a consideration
| Month | Average daytime temperature |
|---|---|
| January | 14°C |
| February | 14°C |
| March | 15°C |
| April | 19°C |
| May | 23°C |
| June | 27°C |
| July | 28°C |
| August | 28°C |
| September | 25°C |
| October | 22°C |
| November | 19°C |
| December | 15°C |
Rooms & Suites
Unwind with a view
We stayed in the new ‘collection’ rooms which are the most premium within the resort and have more than enough space for a family of four. Our room was positioned on the third floor, which turned out to be a perfect spot. Not only for the views, but because the Kids’ Club is on the same level, making drop-offs convenient and easy. It’s worth noting that Daios Cove is a big resort and getting around requires a funicular-style cable car which can take a while at times. The system works well but it’s not as quick as just popping the kids in the buggy and pushing them along a path
The suite itself was seriously spacious and beautifully designed: a huge main bedroom and a large separate living room that was converted into the boys’ sleeping space. The wraparound balcony stretched across both rooms, and every time I opened the curtains in the morning my son, Jude, would marvel at the view with a ‘wow’. Really sweet and if even a toddler knows that the vista is spectacular then it really must be!
The vibe is pared-back Mediterranean rather than fussy five-star: natural materials, soft earthy tones, lovely tactile textures and plenty of those gorgeous Cretan-inspired shapes that make the spaces feel calm, airy and very grown-up. The whole look is understated rather than blingy – more beautifully considered beach house than swanky hotel room. And, thankfully, the style doesn’t come at the expense of comfort. Collection suites have proper living spaces, comfy seating and huge terraces with outdoor dining and lounging – totally ideal when you are travelling with kids of any age
Both our bathrooms were generously sized which is appreciated when you’re trying to bathe two wriggly toddlers and need all hands on deck. With plenty of cool, chic marble on display, they had both baths and rain showers. I was also beyond thrilled to find a Dyson hair dryer on our dressing table – when you have two small people demanding your attention, efficiency is key
And there are plenty more thoughtful little extras to make life easy. You’ll find Nespresso coffee, teas and herbal infusions, a minibar, filtered water, fluffy robes, Bluetooth speakers and lovely bathroom toiletries
Childcare & Kid's Entertainment
Careful consideration for even the tiniest guests
We have a long way to go before our boys Jude and Beau (18 months) are of an age to entertain themselves on holiday, so if we actually want to get a break, it’s a non-negotiable to stay at hotels that have kids’ clubs for very young ones – and Daios totally ticked that box
I was so excited to check the boys into the Crèche as it’s quite unique to have childcare for under 4s so we wanted to take advantage! I’m sure all parents of tinies can relate! It’s open for children aged 4 months to 4 years, but does come at a cost unlike the Kids’ Club which is free of charge for 4-12 year-olds. We thought it was more than worth it if it means a few hours to yourself. Some family villa offers include complimentary sessions and one way or the other, it’s definitely worth booking ahead, as spaces are subject to availability
It staffed by Worldwide Kids Co – a childcare provider whose nursery staff meet UK standards and regulations, which gave us peace of mind handing over our most prized possessions. There were a few tears at drop off which obviously pulled at my heart strings, but the amazing staff reassured us and, of course, both Jude and Beau settled within minutes. They loved it and we had a couple of hours reading our books by the pool which was frankly amazing!
For bigger kids, the Kids’ Club is for ages 4 to 12 and is complimentary. It’s much more of a proper kids’ hangout, with multilingual staff organising games, creative activities, outdoor play and pool games. There’s an outdoor playground and plenty of toys and equipment, while sporty types can get involved in activities around the resort like tennis and paddle boarding. The child-friendly beach and children’s pool add even more options for days when sitting still simply isn’t happening – we all know those
Directly connected to the Kids’ Club is a large grassy outdoor area with a playground that any child can use regardless of whether they are enrolled that day. We found ourselves stopping off every evening after dinner as it was shaded and cooler as the sun went down, and it gave the boys somewhere to run off whatever energy remained. Such a good idea to have that kind of facility on tap
And if you fancy an adults-only evening, there’s babysitting available at an extra charge and this needs to be reserved in advance. There are also Stargazers evenings, running twice a week from 7-10pm, when kiddos can enjoy a cosy evening at the club while parents go off for dinner. There’s a cool games room for teens too. Greece is a family-friendly country overall and Daios Cove is a great example of that at it’s best
Wining & Dining
Unique dishes in elevated settings
We were part of the Residents’ Club which is the hotels all-inclusive premium food and drink package. You get complimentary meals across all food outlets (there are five restaurants in total), 24-hour room service, a stocked minibar (a lifesaver when I needed snacks for the boys), signature cocktails from award-winning mixologists (a lifesaver for parents), and unlimited ice cream and healthy drinks for children at the bars. I loved that you could book in for dinner via the hotel app. It was super easy and you didn’t have to worry about pre-planning. It’s these kind of things that really take the stress out of a holiday
Breakfast was at Pangea, the buffet restaurant that overlooked the sea. It had dedicated family seating which made us feel more comfortable and relaxed knowing we weren’t the only family managing cheeky toddlers throwing things around at meal times. High chairs were in abundance so you didn’t have to wait for a family to leave. The boys tucked into exotic fruits, chia pudding and avocado toast every day
The Beach House was our favourite spot, not only for the sunset drink, but the food was fresh and delicious and the staff were so accommodating of the boys. As someone who often finds Greece a tricky destination for vegan eating, I was genuinely surprised and pleased. There were strong vegan options throughout and I ate really well for the entirety of the stay. Every restaurant in the hotel operates the same kids’ menu, which keeps things consistent and predictable for little ones and the service was always quick – since leisurely meal times are a thing of the past!
Pools & Beach
Glistening waters that wow
The main pool is a saltwater infinity pool and a real feature of the hotel. It felt like an extension of the ocean and it has a small dedicated shallow area for babies and toddlers to keep them safe. I was happy there was an adults-only pool too on the occasions we managed to arrange some child-free time. Having a grown-up space to retreat to felt like a real luxury and something not every family resort offers
The hotel’s beach is absolutely beautiful. Sandy, sizeable and set on private cove with crystal waters that overlook the Aegean. It’s simply stunning, but you have to take a few flights of stairs to get down there, so be prepared to leave your buggy at the top and carry your kid(s)! Not always easy but totally worth it
There are plenty of sunbeds, umbrellas, towels and a beach bar, so you can settle in for the day without having to trek anywhere for an iced coffee or a snack. The water is perfectly clear and there are watersports available too, so older kids can paddleboard or kayak
It was great that we could switch between pool and beach easily depending on what we felt like. Little ones have their own pool area, the beach is family-friendly and, if you’re staying in one of the villas or suites with a private seawater pool, you can retreat to your own patch of paradise whenever you fancy
What is there for adults?
Making the most of excellent childcare
One of the things I loved about Daios Cove was that it never felt like I had to do anything – but when I did fancy getting off my sun lounger, there was plenty to tempt me. The days here can have a lovely rhythm: a bit of swimming, perhaps a paddleboard around the cove, a long lunch, and then some spa time. Or you can go all out and fill every minute with activties. It’s entirely up to you
I spent an afternoon at KĒPOS by Goco, and it was one of the highlights of my stay. The 2,500sqm wellness centre is seriously impressive, with beautiful treatment rooms, a hammam, saunas, steam room, heated vitality pool and infrared sauna. There’s even cryotherapy and a hyperbaric oxygen chamber for those who take their wellness seriously. There are also yoga and Pilates classes, fitness sessions, personal training and a proper Technogym gym
If you prefer your activities with a little more adrenaline, the water sports centre is the place to head. You can simply grab a paddleboard or kayak and head out onto the beautifully clear water, while water-skiing and scuba diving are also available. More experienced divers can explore the underwater world around the coast, including a shipwreck
Or for a change of scenery, you can hire a private yacht, motorboat or catamaran and head off along the Cretan coastline. I’d definitely put a private boat trip high on my wish list – stopping for swims in secluded little coves and visiting places such as Kolokytha Cove and Spinalonga is a pretty spectacular way to see this part of Crete. There’s plenty to do on dry land too, with a floodlit tennis court, outdoor yoga and Pilates and a well-equipped gym. Golfers can head to Crete Golf Club, an 18-hole course less than an hour away
If the little ones are being looked after by a babysitter or in the Kids’ Club, parents can try the likes of wine tastings or head to the bar for DJ sessions under the stars. A little throwback to holidays pre-kids
Gemma's verdict
We absolutely loved it here. The boys had such a brilliant time, but equally importantly, we did too – and that’s not always a given on a family holiday! Daios Cove manages that rather clever trick of being wonderful for everyone. That’s certainly the impression I got from all the happy faces wandering around the resort
For us it was all about the crèche being so topnotch as that really allowed us to relax and make the most of the adults-only pool which is just heaven for when you steal some time to yourselves. Then there’s the spacious suites with views that make you excited to wake up and food that goes well beyond the average all-inclusive offering. Honestly we couldn’t fault Daios Cove as a family resort. Its 100% one to have on your radar
Daios Cove: Our Tiny Travelship Take
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
Themes: The Best Family-Friendly Hotels in the UK with Kids’ Clubs; The UK Family-Friendly Edit
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