Last Updated on May 15, 2024 by Suzy McCullough
Crete is one of the more popular islands of Greece with families. It is actually Greece’s biggest island with 650 miles of coastline. There are some stunning beaches and some equally wonderful hotels. With a history of some 4,000 years, there are plenty of sites to explore. Or if you wish you can spend your days lazing by the pool or chilling out on the beach. Flights to Crete take around 4 hours from the UK, depending on which airport you fly from.
A swim-up room is a great option for families. You have the luxury of having your own bathroom and easy access into your shared pool. Not only that some of the hotels listed below have a private pool instead of being a swim-up room. We have listed these at the bottom of the post.
TUI BLUE Sensatori Atlantica Caldera Palace – Lyttos Beach, Heralkion
Address: Analipsi, Anissaras 700 14, Greece
Hotel Information – Located in the popular area of Lyttos Beach is the TUI BLUE Sensatori Atlantica Caldera Palace. This hotel has a prime beachfront location with a great selection of restaurants nearby. There are five on-site pools 3 of which are for families and children have their own splash pool. For children, daytime entertainment comes in the form of a TUI Kids’ Club. Teens also have their own hangout space where they can relax and make new friends.
With a great range of sports facilities, there is plenty to do at this hotel. Facilities include tennis, volleyball, football and archery. Plus there are watersports at the beach and fitness classes. For families, there are swim-up family rooms which can sleep up to 4 people. You can even upgrade to a swim-up family room with a sea view. The board at this hotel is either full-board or all-inclusive.
Why We Love the TUI BLUE Sensatori Atlantica Caldera Palace
- Beachfront Setting
- 8 Restaurants
TUI BLUE Creta Paradise – Gerani, Chania
Address: Πάροδοσ, PEO Kissamou Chanion, Gerani 730 14, Greece
Hotel Information – Overlooking the sand and pebble beach of Gerani is the TUI BLUE Creta Paradise. This is a great base for exploring the surrounding countryside. The village centre is a short drive away. On-site there are a couple of child-friendly swimming pools. Children aged 3-12 can make new friends at the kid’s club and there is plenty of entertainment after dark. With a full daytime programme of games and activities, you can certainly have a fun time at this hotel.
Other facilities include mini golf, beach volleyball, tennis and mini football and there is an outdoor playground. They have swim-up double rooms that can sleep up to 3 people. Or there are swim-up family rooms that can sleep up to 4 people. These have a partition between the beds and a terrace. You can even upgrade to a family suite with a private pool or a swim-up family suite. There’s certainly plenty of options. The board at this hotel is all-inclusive.
Why We Love the TUI BLUE Creta Paradise
- Lots of Pools
- Close to a Beach
Atlantica Akti Zeus Hotel – Amoudara, Heraklion
Address: 1-3, Linoperamata 715 00, Greece
Hotel Information – Located on Crete’s northern coastline and featuring an on-site waterpark is the Atlantica Akti Zeus Hotel. The hotel feels like a traditional Grecian village and the state-of-the-art rooms add a splash of luxury. There are two main swimming pools and a children’s paddling area. The beach is just a few years away and families will love the chute-filled waterpark. This has something for all members of your family.
The hotel runs a kids’ club for ages 4-12 and there is family-friendly entertainment in the evenings. Sports-wise there is table tennis, darts, volleyball, watersports and a programme of daytime activities. For families, there are swim-up family rooms that sleep up to 4 people. There is the option to book a room with sliding doors between the beds. The board at this hotel is all-inclusive.
Why We Love the Atlantica Akti Zeus Hotel
- Beachside Setting
- Waterpark
Euphoria Resort – Kolymbari, Chania
Address: Kolymvari 730 06, Greece
Hotel Information – For an activity-filled family holiday, why not check out the Euphoria Resort? It has a great beachfront location and the main pool features in-water cabana beds. Kids have their own pool with slides, some of which have height and age restrictions. For children aged 4-12 there is the daytime KidsVibe club and teens aged 13 and above have their own hangout in peak season with gaming consoles, football and more. Evening entertainment takes place outside in the gardens.
There are more activities than we can list. Highlights include a kids’ play area, tennis courts, bike hire and beach volleyball. Plus daytime activities, football, watersports, dance classes, swimming lessons and so much more. Some activities have an additional charge. Families of up to 4 people can book a swim-up family room which have a lounge area separated by sliding doors. Or there are swim-up family suites that sleep up to 5 people. The board at this hotel is all-inclusive.
Why We Love the Euphoria Resort
- Waterslides
- Splash Park
- Lots of Activities
Senseana Seaside Resort and Aquadventure – Analipsi, Heraklion
Address: Ανάληψη 700 14, Greece
Hotel Information – A great family-friendly hotel with a recent refurb is the Senseana Seaside Resort and Aquadventure. There’s a beach right in front of the hotel and it is a 5-minute walk to an even bigger stretch of sand plus bars and restaurants. There are two swimming pools and children have a splash park with a tipping bucket and a slide. Children also have a playground and an indoor play area and there is a kids’ club open six days a week.
Evening entertainment is more low-key here with live music 5 nights a week. Their family rooms can sleep up to 4 people and from your terrace, there is access to a shared pool. Or you can upgrade to a family room with a private pool. The board at this hotel is all-inclusive.
Why We Love the Senseana Seaside Resort
- Recent Refurbishment
- Great for Families
Grecotel White Palace – Rethymnon
Address: Πηγιανός Κάμπος 741 50, Greece
Hotel Information – With fantastic sea views and a great location on a Blue Flag Beach is the Grecotel White Palace. It has a great main pool plus there are 8 saltwater pools spread out around the hotel grounds. Access to these pools is dependent on which room category you are staying in. For children aged 4-6 and 7-12, there is the Grecoland kids’ club. Teens aren’t left out as the hotel also runs a fun programme of activities for them in high season. Also for children, there is an open-air cinema. You can also expect special events on selected nights during the week plus themed evenings.
Sports-wise there are watersports at the beach and aerobics and table tennis back at the hotel. The hotel has swim-up bungalows that sleep up to 3 people. Other room options are available. Your board at this hotel is all-inclusive.
Why We Love the Grecotel White Palace
- 7 Restaurants
- Blue Flag Beach
Hotels with the option to upgrade to a Private Pool
TUI BLUE Elounda Breeze – Elounda, Heraklion
Address: Epar. Od. Agiou Nikolaou – Vrouchas, Schisma Elountas 720 53, Greece
Hotel Information – Set on a hill overlooking the coastline is the TUI BLUE Elounda Breeze. This hotel has two main pools and children have three pools to choose from. Little ones will love the splash park with a handful of slides, a tipping bucket and toadstool waterfalls. Children are also well catered for thanks to the choice of kids’ clubs for different age groups. Teens also have their own hangout which is open six days a week. In the evenings you can enjoy a mini-disco, outdoor entertainment and shows.
There is so much to do at this hotel! Other facilities include a swim school, a multi-sports court and volleyball and there are dedicated sports and activity hosts. Plus keep-fit sessions, an outdoor playground and more. Double rooms can be upgraded to include a private pool. These rooms sleep up to 3 people. Or there are family rooms with direct access to a shared pool from your terrace. Why not upgrade to a family suite that can sleep up to 4 people and has its own private pool? Your board at this hotel is all-inclusive.
Why We Love the TUI BLUE Elounda Breeze
- Children’s Splash Park
- Great Evening Entertainment
Avra Imperial – Kolymbari, Chania
Address: Kolymvari 730 06, Greece
Hotel Information – A luxurious hotel located on Kolymbari beach is the Avra Imperial. It is less than a 5-minute walk to the village centre and the harbour is just a little further. The hotel has a lake-like pool which covers 1,500 square metres of the grounds and features a swim-up bar. Plus there are other pools and a couple of pools just for children. In the daytime children aged 4-12 can attend the kids’ club and there is live music in the evenings plus the occasional themed night.
Other facilities include tennis courts, table tennis and a games room. There is also a playground, an indoor play area, a pool table and aerobics. Families of up to 4 people can upgrade to a deluxe suite with their own private pool. Other room options are available. There is a range of board options at this hotel with bed and breakfast, half-board and all-inclusive.
Why We Love the Avra Imperial
- On Kolymbari Beach
- Stylish Pool Area
Lyttos Beach – Analipsi, Heraklion
Address: Hersonissos, Crete 700 14, Greece
Hotel Information – With a beachside setting, an Olympic-sized pool and plenty of activities the Lyttos Beach is a great option for families. Spread out over 150 acres you also have easy access to a Blue Flag beach with a couple of eateries. There are four main pools plus one just for children with a mini water park. Another pool features larger waterslides. Kids aged 4-13 can be kept entertained at the kids’ club and teens aged 14-17 have their own club. In the evening there is a great entertainment programme with magic shows, cabaret and more.
This hotel boasts 15 tennis courts plus basketball and volleyball courts. There is also a playground, mini football, pool games and more. Their rooms with a private pool are doubles which can sleep up to 3 people. Other room options can be booked. The board at this hotel is all-inclusive.
Why We Love the Lyttos Beach
- On a Beach
- 6 Pools
- 11 Bars and Restaurants
Lyttos Mare – Analipsi, Heraklion
Address: Ανισσαράς 700 14, Greece
Hotel Information – A luxurious beach resort on the north coast of Crete is Lyttos Mare. The beach boasts a Blue Flag award and is a great place to try out watersports and even scuba diving. A stay at this hotel gives you free access to the waterpark at the hotel next door. On-site there is a main pool as well as the Laguna pool. There are kids’ clubs for different ages and even teens have their own club. In the evenings there is a mini-disco and shows 3 times a week.
There is plenty to keep you entertained in the daytime with a great activity programme. Plus there are arcade machines, table tennis volleyball, mini-football, bike hire, a playground and more. Families will love their 2 bedroom family rooms with a private pool. The board at this hotel is all-inclusive.
Why We Love the Lyttos Mare
- Lots of Pools
- On a Blue Flag Beach
