Cretan fun in the sun
Having been to Crete a few times previously but on pre-kid’s party holidays in the resort of Malia. This one was firmly with children in mind and I chose the resort of Hersonissos around an hours’ transfer from the airport.
Hersonissos is a lively busy resort with plenty of shops, bars and beachside restaurants for all tastes. It has a pretty harbour with a host of day trip boats and is very scenic in the evening so a great place to grab a cocktail and watch the world go by. It really comes alive later in the evening so would suit all tastes!
Our hotel, the Aldermar Cretan Village, was only a 10-minute taxi ride away so around €8 each way but not walkable especially with two little ones in tow but it’s a quiet area. The hotel was a beach fronted property so a stunning setting in the evening for sunsets over the water and we were lucky enough to have a sea view room which gave us the most gorgeous views. The hotel is large but still feels very authentic Greece with its small blocks of rooms in a village-style set up with enough pools and space to really have no idea of how busy the hotel was at any time. We never had a problem finding sunbeds on the beach or by the pool, even in peak summer season! The main buffet restaurants served a plentiful breakfast and evening meal with lots of choices, the cake at breakfast was a definite must!
All drinks and ice-cream throughout the day in the bar areas and beach bar were self-serve which is a great idea – no queues! The main bars were busier in the evening with drinks and cocktails being made but we really never had to wait long! The clientele was mainly Dutch, Russian and German in this hotel and very few British families, although children are children so always made friends. Although they didn’t venture to the kids clubs this time.
The entertainment in this hotel is what I think brings guests from all over Europe! The mainly Italian animation team were present throughout the day with sports and activities and in the evening, they performed fantastic shows after the mini disco which was busier with little ones than some clubs I have been to on a Saturday night in town!
The highlight of our holiday was a boat trip we arranged through a local company. They arranged transfers to and from the port. It was good value with lunch included. This four hour boat trip took us around the coastline to a pretty bay that was perfect for boat diving and snorkelling in the clear blue waters. Plenty of fish spotting opportunities and the crew gave us bread to throw in to see them swimming up close and even a plank to dive off which the little kids and big kids – yes me! We all had great fun doing this and along with the snorkelling gear provided it was a great day out!
Although being all-inclusive is great, I really missed eating out in local restaurants in the evening especially with so much gorgeous Greek food on offer. We also took a taxi in the evening and ate in the town. A gorgeous beachside taverna with a gin cocktail and Greek meze was just what was needed!
To sum up our holiday, Greece to me is beautiful food, hidden beaches and the local people. I must admit I missed the feeling of being immersed in “real” Greece being all-inclusive. I felt I was missing out, especially in the evenings. The kids obviously loved the ice cream on demand (I mean who wouldn’t)!
Value for money and ease were a driving force of my choice this year and so yes not having to get my purse out every five minutes was a real joy! Not having to worry about a supermarket shop and having everything in one place with two children was a great benefit obviously but I love finding little restaurants in resorts where children are made to feel so welcome and where you want to visit night after night.
The entertainment was great for all, plenty going on and very professional, you absolutely couldn’t fault their enthusiasm and hard work! Another pro of being in a beachfront hotel was the pleasure of doing both beach and pool whenever we felt like it and stopping for lunch at the beachside snack restaurant. I could spend hours just watching the children dive into the crashing waves. Obviously with the added benefit of a fully paid up glass of cold rose of course! We really did have a fantastic holiday and lots of wonderful memories made and we will back to Greece next year as so many other islands to visit with the children. Next time though it will be back to our little apartment with a pool, basic self-catering wins the day for us I think in Greece!