Phāea Cretan Malia

Overview

If your holiday happiness is directly linked to how many photos you’ve taken before breakfast, Phāea Cretan Malia may just be your dream family hotel. A proud member of Design Hotels, this effortlessly chic Cretan retreat somehow manages to feel both wildly stylish and genuinely welcoming to families, which is no easy feat. Think sun-bleached stone, earthy Mediterranean textures, towering palms, striped daybeds and winding botanical pathways that make every corner feel like a magazine shoot waiting to happen. It’s the kind of place where your camera roll fills up alarmingly fast, yet somehow never quite captures how beautiful it feels in real life

The layout is one of the resort’s greatest strengths. Rather than looming hotel blocks, low-rise suites and bungalows are scattered amongst lush gardens, connected by pathways lined with olive trees, cacti and bougainvillea. At the centre sits the resort’s expansive main pool, where shallow areas allow younger children to paddle and play while parents can relax nearby. A second pool offers a more tranquil atmosphere, surrounded by greenery and sun-drenched terraces that create the feeling of a luxury beach club rather than a traditional family resort

For families, the balance here feels especially clever. The Little Explorers Kids Club (ages 3–12) focuses on creativity, sustainability and connection to nature, with curated activities including gardening, arts and crafts, outdoor play and experiences inspired by Cretan culture and the natural environment. There’s also a dedicated space for younger children to enjoy alongside their parents. Older kids aren’t forgotten either, thanks to The Place, a dedicated teen hangout featuring outdoor cinema nights, games, hammocks and spaces that feel suitably independent

And then there’s the food: arguably one of the biggest reasons to book this hotel in the first place. Gastronomy has become one of the defining elements of the Phāea experience, and after eating here, it’s easy to understand why. Menus across the restaurants celebrate Cretan produce, local suppliers and seasonal ingredients in a way that feels genuinely destination-led rather than generic hotel dining. Breakfasts showcase local honey, seasonal fruit, traditional Cretan specialties and ingredients sourced through the Phāea Farmers programme, while dinners feel more akin to dining at stylish standalone restaurants than within a resort. Guests opting for the Effortless Premium All-Inclusive programme are in for a particularly special treat, with unlimited dine-around experiences across multiple restaurants and a refreshingly elevated approach to all-inclusive dining

Location-wise, the hotel sits on Crete’s northern coast near Malia, around 35 minutes from Heraklion Airport. While Malia itself has a well-known party reputation in parts, the resort feels entirely cocooned away from it all, tucked beside a peaceful stretch of beach with mountain views behind and the Aegean stretching endlessly ahead. Just minutes away lies the Minoan Palace of Malia, one of the six Minoan Palatial Centres recently inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Nearby, you’ll also find traditional tavernas, archaeological sites and boat trips to hidden coves, while the resort itself feels so beautifully designed that many guests barely want to leave. And honestly? We completely understand why

Read our first hand, honest review of Phāea Cretan Malia here