Overview
A getaway where the adult ambience is as enticing as the child care offering, Amirandes’ showstopping good looks, elevated foodie scene, sleek rooms and brilliant Kids Club combine for a hefty dose of all-age allure. Fashioned after the water palaces of Minoan Kings, at its foot life centres around glittering swim spots: whether dining on a floating pontoon on top the luscious lagoon, practising strokes in the Olympic-sized seafront piscine, indulging in the beachfront spa, or soaking up the serenity from one of the many private pools
The setup for smalls is just as considered, and has a stylish solution for every possible parental pain point. The complimentary Kids Club runs creative crafts, cooking classes and treasure hunts for those 4+, teens are taken care of with sports tournaments and easy opportunities to socialise, while the genius GrecoBaby pre-order form ensures all the essential equipment for little uns is ready and waiting for you
The culinary captivating dining scene at Amirandes deserves its time in the spotlight as well. The jewel in its crown is the iconic Minotaur restaurant, where Italian gastronomy is dished up to a backdrop of genuine Picasso ceramics. Xasteria is also fabulous, where a homage to Cretan island flavours is served, while Blue Monkey brings a taste of Asia to Europe and Petrino delivers on all your seafood fantasies. What’s more, if you book the ‘Dine Club’ half board or ‘Comfort’ all inclusive packages kids up to 12 eat for free. Then there’s the accommodation itself. A rolodex of room options cater to the whole crew, from generous doubles, through swim up suites with private gardens & pools, to uber luxe villas for gangs up to 8 guests. A contemporary palace for well-deserving parents, this is one lavish labyrinth we’d happily get lost in
Mama
Get in touch
Flight
3 hr 30 mins flight from London to Heraklion airport
Transfer
Approximately a 20 min transfer from Heraklion Airport. The hotel can arrange transfers, starting from 120 euros each way for a family of 4, with age appropriate car seats
Best time to visit
Crete boasts a delightful Mediterranean climate, characterized by mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. During April to June, spring brings pleasant temperatures, with blooming landscapes ideal conditions for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Autumn offers milder weather, making it another great time for exploring without the summer crowds. Winters are mild with occasional rainfall, but the indroor heated pool (in the winter also the Villas are available for booking, which offers the option of a heating pool) ensures shiver-free swimming is always on the agenda
Amirandes is open year-round and you’ll find our Crete weather guide below:
January: highs of 16 degrees
February: highs of 16 degrees
March: highs of 17 degrees
April: highs of 20 degrees
May: highs of 24 degrees
June: highs of 28 degrees
July: highs of 29 degrees
August: highs of 29 degrees
September: highs of 27 degrees
October: highs of 24 degrees
November: highs of 20 degrees
December: highs of 17 degrees
Favourite room
Luxury rooms are the best entry level options for families of 3. The open-plan space includes one king-size bed, ample room for a cot and private balconies. Plump for a Swim Up Superior for your own personal pool
The world really is your oyster for families of 4. From Superior Family Rooms and Swim Up Family Suites with two separate bedrooms, to 2-bedroom suites and villas with heated pools and landscaped gardens
Sea view villas offer a steps-from-the-sand setup, with impossibly gorgeous 1-3 bed options. The Grand Royal (sleeping 6) and Grand Beach Residences (sleeping 8) are the largest and most impressive
Price
from £897 p/night in low season and £2500 p/night in high season for a family of three
From £1130 p/night in low season and £2935 p/night in high season for a family of four
From £ 2245 p/night in low season and £4398p/night in high season for a family of five
FAQs
What family facilities are there, and how much do they cost?
Adventure-filled days await guests at Grecoland, the complimentary Kids Club for those 4-12 years old. Open six days a week throughout the year, from May – October. Those to young for supervised sessions can still join in the fun, with the presence of a parent, guardian or babysitters
Babysitters can be booked from 25 euros per hour
Amirandes really excels in sports facilities, with everything from tennis, padel and horse riding to snorkelling, watersports and fishing excursions available
Which equipment is available to borrow for babies & children?
GrecoBaby provides all the essential equipment for your tiny travellers, including cots, bed rails, baby monitors, prams, toilet steps, potties, bouncy chairs, baby bathtubs, toilet trainer seats, changing mats, and bottle sterilisers (some items may incur a nominal charge). Guests are asked to fill in the GrecoBaby order form in advance of their trip
What are the pools like?
Choose from the Olympic-size Seawater Pool, Children’s shallow pool and the Indoor Spa Pool which is heated up to 25 degrees from October to April. There’s also a choice of 58 private pools as part of the accommodation offering
Is there evening entertainment?
Keeping the fun flowing into the evening, Amirandes delights Tiny Travellers with mini discos and family movie nights
What’s the protocol for allergies?
All F&B staff, including chefs and servers, receive regular allergy awareness and HACCP training.
A designated Allergy Liaison Chef is available to oversee special dietary requests.
Dedicated utensils, pans, and preparation areas for common allergens (e.g., gluten, nuts, dairy, shellfish).
Separate, clearly labeled sections in buffets; items prepared without cross-contamination
What’s the dining set up?
Guests can stay at Amirandes on Bed & Breakfast, half board or all inclusive plans. There’s 10 dining destinations onsite and it is recommended to make reservations in advance:
The half board meal plan includes an American-style breakfast buffet, with exclusive a la carte options, and either lunch at the Main Restaurant buffet or a credit allowance at Petrino seafood restaurant OR a buffet dinner at The Amirandes Restaurant or credit allowance at a wide choice of 16 selected restaurants around Crete. Guests can also enjoy 2 free a la carte dinners every 7 nights’ of their stay
The Comfort All-Inclusive plan is the same as the above, but with both lunch and dinner included, alongside a selection of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks and snacks at the Beach Bar between 4-6pm
Children below 12 years can dine for free at the Tasty Corner lunch from 12.30 – 2pm and enjoy snacks at the Grecoland from 11am to 5pm
Food for babies can be arranged at any time of the day, but it’s best to order in advance via the Restaurant Manager or Guest Services agent. Staff are always happy to warm baby bottles
Meet the family...
Chloe
Parent to Tiny Traveller aged 2
Saying this hotel is family friendly is an understatement. Prior to your arrival you can submit a GrecoBaby form to select all of the equipment you’ll need throughout your stay. We had a toddler when we stayed and arrived to find a potty and training step already in our room, you can even hire a buggy! There is a brilliant Kids Club, wide range of child-centric activities, all day (free!) buffet for tiny tummies, shallow-shade-covered pool, tennis & football courts, a nightly disco and cinema showings….the list really does go on. A trip to Knossos to visit the famous Cretan ruins is a must and just a 20 minute drive away! Take a walk along the hotel beach to find two gorgeous local Greek restaurants Medusa Gouves and Island Gouves where the seafood is fresh from the ocean
Worth waking the baby for
01
Dinosauria Park
Step back in time at Dinosauria Park, a thrilling prehistoric adventure featuring life-sized dinosaur replicas, a fossil museum, excavation zones, interactive attractions including a 5D cinema & VR experiences, plus a Dino Hospital where young explorers can watch dinosaur eggs hatch!
02
CRETAquarium
One of Europe’s largest aquariums, home to over 200 marine specials, CRETAquarim displays the magical marine life of Crete’s underwater world. Venture deep below the sea’s surface, delving into the caves & crevices of the Mediterranean and shark-circling open ocean. Tiny travellers can get up close and personal with schools of tropical fish and witness creatures ranging from jellyfish to sea turtles
03
Watercity
Crete’s largest water park, Watercity boasts a mixture of rides from thrilling drops to sedate slides. Giving the young and old an opportunity to dip into an array of aquatic activities, the smallest of visitors will love the submerged castle, complete with interactive games and small slides, while the more speed-seeking are spoiled with total-darkness-tubes, a Turbo Cyclone, Hyper Race, Tarzan’s zipline game and Crazy River
