Stella Village Seaside Hotel

Located on the North East coast of the Greek island of Crete, Stella Village offers everything a family will need. The little ones can splash around in the themed pirate’s pool, scream if they want to go faster on the slides at the aqua park or dance until they’re exhausted at the mini disco. Meanwhile parents can chill with a drink from the poolside bar or relax in the spa. Those who prefer open water and sand have access to a reserved part of Analipsis Beach, equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas.

There are a further four outdoor pools (two for the children), with regular aqua aerobics also on offer. If you prefer to stay active on dry land there’s a variety of sports and activities to choose from including beach volleyball, football, boules, mini golf and archery. While the animation team organises events and entertainment for guests of all ages, throughout the day.

The Stella Spa offers an indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi and hamam. A menu of treatments, therapies and facials allow you to choose how you wish to relax and unwind. The mums may also like to get their hair and nails done here.

The main restaurant offers buffet style meals with live cooking stations and tasty desserts. Dinners are themed so you have the chance to taste a variety of different foods during the course of your stay. The all day Mediterra offers an American style breakfast and an Italian style evening meal. Lovers of 80s and 90s music will be right at home, as that is the soundtrack to the night here. While the dress code is casual, swimwear and shorts are not permitted in the evening, so ensure you pack some suitable clothes. If you prefer to socialise over a drink in a vivid and cosy atmosphere, then the pool bar is open from 10am to 1am daily, offering a range of international cocktails.

Standard rooms can sleep up to three and are equipped with air-conditioning, a furnished balcony or terrace, Satellite TV with music channels, a fridge and a hairdryer. Family rooms, allowing occupancy of up to four, have a separate sleeping area for the children.

While there is plenty to do at the resort, guests shouldn’t leave Crete saying they didn’t visit Heraklion. You must stop off at Knossos on the way, settled as early as the Neolithic period, it may even be Europe’s oldest city, having been built between 3500 and 2100BC. A volcanic tsunami from nearby Santorini covered the site in ash but this helped to preserve it. In comparison, the island’s capital itself is modern, having only existed since 824AD. Here you can see buildings from different historical eras, including Venetian and Ottoman, while older discoveries are housed at Heraklion Archaeological Museum.