The Royal Senses, Curio Collection by Hilton

Let’s get one thing straight – all kids clubs are not made equal. And the one at The Royal Senses? It’s been crafted with an expert eye. For starters, there’s no need to pre-book (hallelujah!) and while there’s complimentary supervision from 3+, younger ones are more than welcome to stay and play too (either with parents, or babysitters can be booked as well. I’ll come on to costs below). To put it simply, this isn’t a one size fits all approach. Leave them, or join them for whole family fun, here you can make the childcare really work for you

And we haven’t even got to the best bits yet. The Kids Club is open every day from 10am-6pm, no matter what time of year you visit. And you’ll always find something going on, with activities spanning crafts, games, gardening and more. Though if we were forced to pick a highlight, it would be the complimentary kids lunches, served here daily between 1-2pm (did someone say long, lazy lunch with a cocktail?)

Bringing it back to the babysitters. These can be booked for any tots above 6 months, and cost 20eur per hour for one child, 30eur per hour for two children, or 40eur per hour for three. Kids can be looked after in the Kids Club or in your room (though supervision after 11pm or on Sundays will incur an extra 30eur fee). It’s worth noting here, pre booking is always required

There’s also a waterpark area at the hotel, boasting a splash pad as well as waterslides (you can find more detail below under the Pools FAQ)

Cots, highchairs, bottle warmers, prams, potties and more are all available as long as they are requested in advance (another perk of booking through Tiny Travel Agency – they can sort these bits out for you). And to our delight, everything is provided free of charge

If you prefer your sun loungers poolside, avoiding sand stuck between your toes, The Royal Senses has your name written all over it. While guests have access to a private beach at nearby Royal Blue Hotel (a buggy ride away) we’re pretty sure you won’t want to pull yourself from the pools

When it comes to (pool) swimming and sunbathing, this is an A* spot. The two main pools are both family friendly and look out over the sparkling sea, with wide shallow steps (though there is a neighbouring baby pool as well). Sunbeds are plentiful and oh-so-luxurious – the Ferrari’s of the lounger world if you will, with cushions as deep as mattresses and pretty as a picture

One of the main pools is heated during low season, to the 27 degree mark, while the indoor Thalassotherapy pool always hangs around a balmy 30 degrees (on the whole this is reserved for adults, but kids are allowed at select times of day)

Then you have an adults only spot, plus two further swimming pools in the waterpark area – one in the form of a splashpad designed for toddling tots, and the other with some slides that will delight bigger kids, we’re sure

The Kids Club alternates between nightly mini discos and cinema screenings, from 5-6pm. While it isn’t an every night affair, there’s usually a bit of a buzz about the hotel after hours at least a couple of times a week. This takes various forms, from DJ sets and live saxophonists to mini discos for aspiring dancing queens (and kings!)

Upon arrival, you are kindly requested to complete an allergy form. Using this, special meals at the main buffet restaurant can be requested. While at the a la carte dining locations, full allergen information will be provided prior to ordering

You can stay at The Royal Senses on either a B&B or Half Board basis, but the bits that made our ears prick up as parents? All of the restaurants have specific children’s menus, purees can be made upon request, and room service is available 24/7. So now for the fun stuff – what’s on the menu? 

The Hotel’s main restaurant Gea is open for breakfast and dinner, and serves up colourful Cretan & Mediterranean cuisine leaning heavily into seasonal farm-to-table produce. Dining takes a buffet style, with the added touch of a lively open kitchen so you can watch the chefs at work

Meanwhile, Platia is where you’ll want to head for lunch. The Royal Senses’ take on a traditional Cretan square, you’ll find a coffee shop as well as a handful of all day, pop up dining spots promising to keep things varied. Expect mezze, gyros, sandwiches, cheeses and more in lovely, laidback surroundings 

Moving along into A La Carte territory (both of the following require reservations in advance)

Mitato delivers delicious local delicacies, passed down through the generations. Here, slow cooked lamb and tender aged steak are cooked on a traditional round grill, best enjoyed when looking out over the sea. They’re only open for dinner, but not every night, so make sure you don’t miss out

And last but by no means least on the restaurant front, Cretamos is the hotel’s fine dining offering

There are also several bars around the hotel, so no matter where you are (by the pool, in the aqua park, in the lobby or by the beach) a cocktail is never more than a sip away 

For guests staying on half board, breakfast and dinner are included daily at Gea (although drinks at dinner are extra). The setup feels far more elevated than a standard hotel buffet, with live cooking stations, excellent local produce and plenty of variety, plus half-board guests also receive 15% off the à la carte restaurants across both the resort and sister hotel The Royal Blue