The sustainable family resort I will be returning to time and time again
When we arrived at Creta Maris, a standout sustainable resort, it was as though we'd stepped into a small Cretan village. I have to admit, I'm not usually one for all-inclusive resorts, even post-baby I still prefer hand-picked accommodation that feels authentic and somewhat personalised, something I never associate with family resorts. The overcrowding, packed itineraries and excessive food always begs the question, how good can it really be? I'm much more impressed by attention to detail, peaceful surroundings for downtime and authentic home-cooked food and I was so pleasantly surprised to find all of this on our recent trip to Creta Maris.
The property is located in Heraklion, which is on the eastern side of Crete and home to some of the island's Instagram-worthy beaches. Creta Maris is family owned and locally staffed and has slowly grown over the years to its current ‘village’ like setting. Pools are hidden in scenic nooks between accommodation, with one never far from reach and rooms and suites are uniquely designed with serene gardens and fruit trees.
Our five days spent at Creta Maris with my family, including our energetic 3-year-old, was just true bliss. Creta Maris takes its eco-commitment seriously, without sacrificing the indulgence of a luxury holiday. This balance between nature, family activities, and comfort really made our trip so ideal as a family, especially with a mix of ages, my mum who came along with us, loved it just as much as my daughter, which also meant me and partner got to enjoy it just as much as a couple as we did as parents. We definitely made the most of the adult-only bar and restaurant on-site but honestly our most memorable moments were spent together in the family friendly resort bars where we spent warm evenings playing games and just enjoying each other's company.
The resort’s sprawling grounds are designed to reflect traditional Cretan architecture, which added to the charm of our trip and definetly the photos. We spent some of the scorching hot afternoons walking through the beautifully landscaped paths and discovered something new every day – be it a hidden pool, a quiet garden, or a local herb garden used by the resort’s kitchens. The beach, which was literally steps away, provided the most peaceful setting where we could relax as a family, and for us this meant looong afternoon naps. The shallow waters were a hit with toddlers building sandcastles, my daughter couldn't get enough of it. At times, I’d relax on a nearby lounger with a book in hand, and before I knew it, the day had flown by.
We started the days, as well as we knew how to - with a delicious breakfast spread. Many ingredients were locally sourced, and it was great knowing that our meals supported Cretan agriculture. We had fresh fruit juices and the standard eggs, bacon etc and by the end of the trip we were so obsessed with the greek salad that it was on the table even at breakfast. The casual beachside snack points were a hit for the whole family too. I discovered on this trip that there is not a time of day when gyros aren't a good idea.
Having seven restaurants on site really was a highlight, dinners were stress-free and delicious. The dining options range from gourmet restaurants to casual beachside eateries and the balance between fine dining and family-friendly environments was spot on. On our second evening, we had dinner at Pithos, which uses ingredients from the hotel’s kitchen garden. It was exactly the farm-to-table experience we were hoping for, fresh, flavorful, and full of Cretan charm - I still can't stop thinking about the baked feta dishes.
I am not exaggerating when I say there was not a moment our 3-year-old was not entertained. A full resort itinerary offers activities through-out the day for the whole family which are easily bookable through the resort app. The variety of kid-friendly pools and activities were a favourite of course but there was also a playroom for younger kids that my daughter enjoyed dance parties, painting sessions and endless toys. The kids entertainment in the evenings was engaging for the whole family and on our last night we enjoyed a Mickey Mouse spectacle that is still one of my daughter's favourite moments to date, they made it interactive and personal so the kids and parents could get involved with the games and dancing, meaning we all slept very well in the evenings.
In those five days, Creta Maris provided us space and an ideal place to reconnect with nature, to each other, and to the local cretan culture. Safe to say, we could have moved in, but I came back with an important reminder of how sustainability should be more integrated into our lives, even when we travel. It's not something we always think is achievable with family travel, but everything, from how the resort managed reduced waste with reusable practice, a towel swap system, to its use of locally sourced ingredients proved that eco-conscious choices are possible without sacrificing comfort or luxury.
The one thing I think many parents can agree on is that after having kids, holidays, like most birthdays and other celebrations, belong to the kids. As much as I have accepted this, I was completely introduced to a new experience that balances the needs of everyone in the family (yes it helped to travel with grandparents but babysitting is also available on-site!). I arrived home much more rested than I normally would from a family holiday, and feeling as though I'd also filled up my own cup.
