It’s hassle-free heaven
An all-inclusive week at Creta Maris resort on Crete proves to be ideal for letting the stresses of daily life slip away
AS my daughter and I strolled along the beach on the lookout for pebbles with which to decorate our sandcastles, I realised I had enjoyed a week of Zen-like calm.
The stresses of daily life had been gently eased by the lapping of the waves on the Greek island of Crete.
Our home for the week had been the five-star Creta Maris Beach Resort, which has everything a family could possibly need. In fact, we felt no reason to venture further afield during the entire holiday.
The resort is more like a small village, with quaint twisting paths linking the 680 rooms to its many restaurants, bars and leisure facilities.
With two daughters aged four and four months, my wife and I were in the mood for a hassle-free relaxing break – and that’s exactly what we got.
From the moment we arrived we were made to feel welcome, with attentive staff in traditional Cretan costumes ready to transport guests to their rooms on one of a fleet of electric carts.
We were staying in a one-bedroom family room, which was tastefully decorated and had more than enough space for a family with two young children – think pram and a suitcase full of nappies!
Our accommodation had a large main bedroom, which had a travel cot for our stay, with another room next door with a single bed and couch.
To top it all we had not one but two minibars, a large bathroom and our very own garden with flowers in full bloom.
Creta Maris sits on the island’s northern coast and guests can step directly from its main pool area onto a stunning 1,000ft beach, lapped by the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean.
A row of poolside showers and a constant supply of fresh towels means you can enjoy the beach and leave the sand where it belongs.
Over the course of our stay the main pool, which is served by a poolside bar and also sits next to two restaurants, was our favourite place to unwind. There are several smaller pools dotted around the resort and my little girl loved the waterpark area with its waterslides, rides and aqua towers – all supervised by trained staff.
The waterpark also has a kitchen and bar, and my daughter seemed to have found her own slice of heaven as she split her time between splashing about and grazing on chips while relaxing on a sun lounger.
The resort’s Asterias Kids’ Club is also on hand to entertain children aged four to 11, while a teenagers’ club caters for youngsters aged 12 to 15 years.
The kids’ club mini-disco was probably our little girl’s second favourite thing to do and each night she could hardly wait to finish her meal so she could run along to sing and dance with the other children, giving us time to unwind with a drink.
Despite never straying outside the resort, we found we had plenty of things to do throughout our stay – there is even an openair cinema where you can enjoy a movie al fresco. In fact, each day there is a packed schedule of activities on offer, with everything from water polo to wine tasting.
IF long days on the beach are not enough, you can unwind further with a massage at the resort’s fabulous Hammam Spa. For those who prefer a more active holiday there are two tennis courts, a basketball court, a football pitch, beach volleyball, water sports and table tennis, as well as a fitness centre.
For us, the food was one of the most impressive and enjoyable features of Creta Maris. Between them, the resort’s six restaurants offer everything from sumptuous à la carte dining to high-quality buffets serving fresh local produce. Each has its own menu, serving Mediterranean and international cuisine as well as barbecue buffets, creative Greek dishes and traditional Cretan delicacies.
One of my favourite evenings of the week was enjoying a superb barbecue buffet, which included a selection of fresh seafood at Cochlias restaurant, while taking in its stunning sea view at sunset.
The resort also has nine bars dotted around its estate in which you can relax with a glass of wine.
For families looking for a high-quality, all-inclusive holiday, then look no further than Creta Maris.