Not every holiday forces you to rethink the way you travel – but this one did for me.
For years I’d never even considered going on an all‑inclusive break. I was convinced I was too cool and independent for that sort of thing, put off by the image of watered-down drinks and hand-holding excursions.
But on becoming a father later in life, at the ripe old age of 50, suddenly the appeal of a place where everything simply works became obvious.
With a child in tow, you can’t take a risk on restaurants, accommodation and logistics. The tantrums just aren’t worth it.
A good resort like Creta Maris where there are all the ingredients necessary for a perfect holiday removes the element of chance.
Set on Crete’s northern coast beside a Blue Flag beach, the Creta Maris complex is designed to resemble a traditional Aegean village – whitewashed houses, winding paths, mountains behind you and the sea in front.
It’s like stepping into a little world where food, drink and activities flow effortlessly.
Colin Fernandez previously considered himself too ‘cool’ and ‘independent’ for all-inclusives, but was converted by the Creta Maris resort, in Crete, when visiting with his partner Maria and their son, Francis
Unlike many of the concrete-heavy Mediterranean resorts built during the 1970s, Creta Maris’s owners opted for courtyards and low-rise stone buildings
Built in 1975, Creta Maris avoided the concrete-heavy style that swept the Mediterranean at the time.
Instead, the resorts’ founders, the Metaxa family, opted for courtyards, low-rise stone buildings, and winding lanes that genuinely evoke a Cretan village.
The magic began the moment we arrived on Greece’s largest island, just 20 minutes from Heraklion airport.
Our son Francis was beside himself with excitement as a golf cart whisked us to our bungalow, while my partner Maria and I briefly indulged the fantasy that we’d wandered into an episode of Succession.
As we wove through the resort’s maze of paths, the well-kept flower beds are heaving with fragrant greenery including pomegranate trees, figs, bougainvillea, rosemary, and thyme.
We visited during the last week of the season in October autumn half‑term – and still enjoyed plenty of sunshine.
One of the resort’s greatest strengths is its staff, who seem to genuinely care about their guests. And it wasn’t just the golf cart that won over our five‑year‑old.
With 17 outdoor pools and 16 bars – including one dedicated entirely to Aperol Spritz – the resort has no shortage of places to unwind.
There’s a water park, a kids’ club (giving parents a precious breather), and a nightly mini‑disco for the kids at 8pm – boredom simply isn’t an option.
The resort includes 17 outdoor pools and 16 bars, including one dedicated entirely Aperol Spritz
Colin is especially impressed by the offerings for children at the hotel, which include a water park, several pools and a kids’ club
Dining at Creta Maris ranges from Aegean to Mediterranean, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy the depth of Greek cuisine
But it’s not just about the kids.
There are serene coves, sprawling pools, a wine cellar, wellness facilities including massage, and seven restaurants – from the excellent breakfast and lunch buffet, Enomy, to six themed venues.
Dining ranges from Aegean to Mediterranean, with sea views or alfresco tables beside a tiny Byzantine chapel.
Among highlights were beef stifado – a delicious lemon infused beef stew – gyros, and Galaktoboureko a tasty pudding featuring rich semolina custard sandwiched between buttered phyllo, all soaked in a fragrant lemon-infused syrup.
Outside of meal times, snack points make sure you won’t go hungry.
Once you are over sunbathing or swimming, the resort offers plenty of opportunities to try something new.
I arrived nursing a sprained ankle from an over‑enthusiastic five‑a‑side match, expecting to do little more than eat, swim, and sit still. Yet in the resort’s relaxing haze, I somehow found myself at my first-ever yoga class.
Despite being billed as ‘gentle’, it still had me sweating and wobbling through poses I could barely manage. I loved it, injury and all.
Having only gone for a brief mini-break of four days, I could quite happily have stayed for a couple of weeks. Creta Maris is a little piece of Mediterranean heaven.
TRAVEL FACTS
Creta Maris offers a stay in a Garden/Mountain View Room from £245 per night, on an all-inclusive basis. This is based on two people sharing for a stay in May (cretamaris.gr).
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