Perfect Family Holiday!!

Grecotel Marine Palace and Aqua Park.

I visited for 3 nights in May and the weather was changeable. The locals do not look at the weather in Crete; they look at North Africa as the sand from the Sahara blows, and my first day was yellow skies and hazy. The day before was a Tsunami warning and an earthquake. The staff at the hotel were not aware, whereas it was all over social media and UK news.

4-star hotel located in a small resort of Panormos. Short walk to a cute village with shops selling local produce and family-run restaurants with a Beach.

Family-oriented property with 419 rooms. Village style with 38 various accommodations: Studios, Bungalows and maisonettes. Marin Bay, Casa Marina and Main building. Most rooms sleep up to 3 or 4. All bright and airy.

Casa Marina Grand Family Suite sleeps up to 5. Casa Marina is close to the Aqua Park. There is a pool which was quieter than the pools around the main building due to it not being heated.

Handy app

Many families from various countries and multigenerational. There were a few adults without children.

I stayed in a split-level Maisonette in Casa Marina. It was quiet even though the hotel was very busy. Comfy beds. Lots of hanging space for my 7 dresses for 3 3-night stay!!

All the staff and management are so kind and helpful.

We met and had dinner with the Front Office manager and met the Guest Relations manager regularly, hearing about her daily duties. 1 instant happened near me. A rather drunk man‘s wife had left him, flown back to Poland, taking his passport.

All Inclusive offers 6 restaurants, a Main restaurant buffet (found very noisy with families), 4 Al A Carte, including Asian Fusion, which is fab and a Taverna. Seasonal BBQ on the beach and Italian restaurant at Casa Marina.

Book 1 Al La Carte for dinner only for a 7-night stay. Breakfast and Lunch dine in Taverna. 8 bars including a snack bar, beach bar, lobby bar and coffee bar serving a range of local, international and premium drinks.

Dine out, 10 mins walk to a restaurant. Reservations required.

During the winter, rooms were renovated to include showers and glass balconies.

Cafe Neo traditional coffee house. Open from 10-2200. Traditional Cretan products. Included in All Inclusive.

Indoor pool at the spa. The Spa treatments were very good, but the indoor pool allowed babies and children, so not suitable for relaxing.

Aqua park, no reservations required.

Children's club 4-12

Beach with umbrella loungers, bar and toilets. The water is shallow, recommend water shoes as a bit stony.

Air conditioned gym with cardio fitness training equipment, aerobics studio, free weights area, stretching zone, sauna and steam room (min age 14 years).

Gym with cardio fitness training equipment, aerobics studio, stretching zone and fixed strength equipment (min age 14 years). (Open between 10.00 am and 5.00 pm, 6 days a week, depending on occupancy).

Aerobics, aqua aerobics, athletics, basketball, darts, football, petanque, pilates, snooker*, table tennis, tennis and yoga.

Cooking classes*.

As a family-oriented orientated, all entertainment is for families.

I did mention to the Front Office manager that there are plans for an adult-only area and more adult-focused entertainment. No plans as Family Focused.

Gym minimum age 14.

An on-site shop sold local produce and was not expensive