A Cretan Sojourn
We spent 7 glorious nights in the 5*, highly regarded Stella Palace in Analipsis, Crete. Stella Palace is one of 3 hotels on the immaculately kept grounds (Stella Village 4* and Stella Island 5* Adult Only) and caters well to families and couples. The room we had was a 2 bedroomed family room. This had been recently refurbished and was a great choice to give us and our son a little bit of space and privacy. The room had a wonderful terrace, right opposite one of the pools and next to Palms (the amazing patisserie for those afternoon treats pre nap!) and Elia (the Greek restaurant). The room was really quite modern, with a big walk-in shower and his and hers sinks.
When choosing our holiday for 2022, we knew we needed to ensure that our 3-year-old son was well entertained but with the luxury for myself and my husband, and what more could we ask for than a on-site water park, full of thrills and splashes! We didn't get to spend much of our time anywhere else other than the waterpark and predominantly the green slide at that! The waterpark is shared between the 3 hotels, there is plenty of sunbeds and a couple of snack bars there, meaning you don’t need to leave the waterpark for food. 2022 saw the waterpark open following a extension with more slides added for those thrill seekers. There was one family pool and 1 adult only pool here, with then 3 different areas of slides and a splash pad for the youngest members of the family.
The food offering at Stella Palace is very good, with 4 ala carte options and 1 buffet option. My son is one of the fussiest eaters going and the staff couldn’t do enough to accommodate him. Most evenings, we would be clocked entering one of the restaurants and the next thing, a chicken fillet would be presented to our son alongside a glass of milk. The buffet restaurant is slightly overwhelming, but there is a good selection of local and international cuisine on offer. We enjoyed the Mexican ala carte the most, however, there is also the Greek, Asia and fine dining option too.
One thing to note is that the staff are genuinely some of the most passionate and proud individuals I’ve ever met on holiday, they really can’t do enough for you. Everything is done with a smile and feels like it’s a true pleasure and not a hinderance.
Entertainment for us wasn’t a priority as our son was too young to sit still through anything. The amphitheatre was always busy though, as was the kids club. There was a good daytime programme advertised too which those that took part seemed to enjoy. Most evenings, entertainment would finish by 11.
Whilst the beach at Stella isn’t one to really write home about, I can’t let the opportunity pass without mentioning the most incredible sunsets that you get from the rocky cove. It was a highlight to walk down there and find a comfy spot to watch the sun hide behind the horizon, so much so, we decided to treat ourselves whilst there and book a family photo shoot at sunset with the hotel photographers. This did not disappoint!
When going on holiday, I always try to go out and support the local trades with a couple of nights out. We ventured into the small but charming village Analipsis twice, and both times we chose to eat at the family run taverna Sirtaki Tavern. Think traditional Greek taverna with the outdoor courtyard where you could watch the comings and goings of the locals. Incredible food and highly recommended for a visit. We left there feeling like family!
Aside from venturing into the village, the only other time we left Stella Palace was to take a trip on the local land train into Hersonissos. Be warned, the land train is very busy and Stella Palace is one of the last stops, so it can be hit and miss as to whether you would get on, I would recommend getting one of the very first trains of the day to avoid this. The train gives you a nice tour down and back into Hersonissos. We dropped off and picked up at the Port. Down in the Port itself there are plenty of options for local sea excursions, plus a fabulous array of bars and restaurants. Hersonissos is also good for picking up local souvenirs and any essentials you may need too.
All in all, Stella Palace absolutely lived up to expectations and we enjoyed our week away in the sunshine and I personally wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to any family looking for a holiday which gives luxury and plenty to do for the kids!
