I first visited Greece when I was 19, too long ago to remember. Those were carefree, carefree days. No kids to entertain, no back pain to keep me up, just a backpack, a sleeping bag, and my best friend. I had a fantastic time, and have returned many times since, island-hopping among the Ionian islands and relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Crete.
What would it be like to visit Greece again after getting married and having two kids? I wanted to see the real Greece of the 1990s, have fun and eat good food, but I also wanted to really relax and forget about life’s troubles. Instead of going to a backpacker hostel in the backstreets of Athens, I wanted to hit up a five-star resort on the north coast of Crete.
© IberostarThere are many restaurants on the hotel grounds.
Crete seems like the perfect destination for those seeking luxury and authenticity on their trip to Greece. The largest and most diverse of the Greek islands, it is rich in history and renowned for its beautiful beaches, incredible cuisine and hospitable people.
During the easy four hour flight from the UK, I remembered exploring the Minoan palace and dancing in the lively bars and wondered if such adventures were still possible. I began to picture the consistent 30 degree heat that warms Brits. Little did I know then that over the next few days, the Iberostar Creta Marine would perfectly meet my needs, offering relaxation and genuine hospitality in an area of natural beauty and ancient history.
Iberostar Creta Marine is about an hour west of Heraklion and is accessed mostly by a coastal road. The drive is a great way to start your trip, with the sparkling sea on your right and endless glorious olive groves on your left. I was overcome with joy as I gazed upon the vibrant bougainvillea spilling over the walls and balconies.
© Iberostar The larger of the two pools has an overhead walkway and a poolside bar
The hotel itself is just picture perfect. You enter through a gorgeous reception area where you are greeted by cool marble and lots of space. The whole hotel has recently been beautifully renovated by Cretan architect Marios Ninos. Exiting on the other side of reception is the larger of the two pools, with an over-pool walkway and pool bar.
With views of the bright blue Mediterranean Sea as a backdrop, the whole place exudes an air of luscious luxury. And when the greenery fades and the stone takes center stage, a few steps lead down (through an excellent ouzo bar) to three beautiful little sea coves. Swimming options are there for everyone, from individual pools in some apartments, to the fun of pool bars and aqua entertainment, to the tranquility of rocky coves where you can explore the crystal clear waters by snorkelling.
© IberostarMenu made with locally sourced ingredients
There is something for everyone’s tastes, which is very important when traveling with children and young people, especially if meals are part of an all-inclusive plan. The Dias Buffet restaurant was simply amazing. On the first morning, we took lots of photos of the beehives, all kinds of nuts and seeds, colorful fresh fruit, and perfect omelettes cooked right in front of us. And the olive oil bar! Different sours, multiple blends – worth a week of exploration alone.
One of the teenagers with us clearly came for the food, and it was such a joy to see him eating and enjoying the food all week. The food is all fresh, with plenty of vegetables, fish and fruit, and comes from different cultures and different parts of the world. It’s really fun to see the kids coming back for dessert – not just ice cream and chocolate, but also baklava and halva.
There’s no denying the five-star quality of the buffet dining, but there are plenty of other restaurants on the hotel grounds. La Locanda serves Italian à la carte and was a big hit; their simple, light carbonara was exceptional. Vegghera Cretan Tavern offers a tasting menu of locally sourced ingredients, so we tried every appetizer. The kids dined on grape leaves and the delicious mizithra (a cheese that’s a cross between feta and ricotta and a real treat for the tongue), and my quest for authenticity was sated and satisfied.
By far the most beautiful of the ala carte restaurants is the Mediterranean restaurant, Thalassa, from where we watched a colorful sunset whilst eating the freshest fish imaginable. Even the most cynical teenager couldn’t deny the natural beauty of the place, the delicacy of the food or the warm humour of the staff.
Some apartments have their own pool
I was surprised that we didn’t have much time for eating, swimming in the pool, or snorkeling in the ocean. Just traveling between venues seemed like a bland way to fill the day. But there was enough to leave me wishing there was more. Star Camp is in a well-maintained corner of the grounds and offers games and activities for little ones.
We spent a delightful afternoon watching teenagers and young adults playing games and competitions in the water, listening to the laughter and cheers of encouragement from those lying on the poolside loungers. There are countless activities on offer each day, including pilates, underwater Zumba, water basket and beach volleyball, just to name a few. One of the teenagers with us had only recently started to get serious about sports and enjoyed using the gym every day. The gym is a nice, cool space, well equipped and unobtrusive.
We were too busy relaxing to take advantage of these opportunities, but I’m proud to say that I did make it to the hotel’s Spa Sensations. When I was 19, a massage with rich Cretan creams was not what I had in mind, but here I am in 2024 and few things make me as happy as this. The spa is exactly what you’d expect, with relaxing music playing throughout and a range of treatments from head to full body massages.
The deep tissue massage was intense (you can choose your preference) and left me lying there for an hour of bliss, wishing it would never end. Not only did the massage soothe any remaining aches and pains, but the massage also included carefully chosen products with soothing properties, and in my case, post-sun care. Before leaving, they gave me advice based on my skin type and their observations – a wise and personal touch.
© A visit to the Iberostar on-site spa is a must
Iberostar Creta Marine is located near the ancient city of Rethymno, and the city and surrounding area are definitely worth exploring. You can rent a car very close to the hotel, but we were lucky to have a tour arranged so we could really enjoy the local surroundings without worry. After a 30-minute drive, we arrived in Margarites, a village famous for its pottery traditions.
Here we toured Tsikaralio, a traditional Cretan pottery factory that has been passed down through generations of the Kavgalaki family. We were shown the latest tools used to make pottery that is sold locally and abroad, and watched a pottery demonstration by Mother Kavgalaki herself. We also saw the tools and techniques used by her grandfather, including the huge old furnaces where pottery was fired without hygrometers or thermometers.
© Iberostar Our magnificent pool area is the ultimate relaxation space
From here, the mountain road winds its way down to Rethymno, a port city that has existed in various forms at the site between 1550 and 1250 BCE. The old town is a bustling tourist destination and is also home to several faculties of the University of Crete. It’s very similar to the Greece I explored years ago: old stone streets, taverns with tables and chairs under flower-covered roofs, small shops and bustling markets. The coastal town has its own beach and a marina full of luxury yachts glittering in the sun. It’s also home to 90-year-old Giorgos Hadjiparaskos, one of the few people in Greece still making handmade phyllo dough. His baklava and kadaifi are to die for and worth the trip alone.
We ended our day in Rethymno by eating fresh local meze and drinking small glasses of raki, traditional fire water. Our host explained that in Crete these must go hand in hand. “We drink to eat,” she asserted. “Or maybe we eat to drink,” she added, smiling and raising her eyebrows as the young people in our group spit out their first sips. Which statement is true is a fact I’d be happy to explore at length.
© One of the many breathtaking ocean view rooms at Iberostar hotels
Hotel Creta Marine also offers a variety of watersports activities. These include jet ski rentals, inflatable sofas pulled by speed boats, and much more. We decided to let one of the Lottie Watersports team take us on a small boat to explore the local coastline and caves. It was a fantastic adventure with an expert pilot who took us to a hidden world behind the rocky coastline. The stalagmites and stalactites stood tall. In the largest cave, we were able to get out of the boat and swim in the dark but clear water. It was a rare moment when we all laughed and had fun together, teenagers and adults alike. We shared the courage and joy of exploring something completely new and unique.
Iberostar Creta Marine is a five-star hotel carefully designed to cater for all needs. Whether you’re watching England lose the Euros in the big open-air theatre (we watched it, and they watched it) or chatting with the waiter about religion and philosophy (we did, and he was warm and wise), this hotel boasts universal appeal. Its design allows you to sit quietly looking out to sea or laugh with new friends at the pool bar.
It’s a world away from the discomfort that only a 19-year-old backpacker could bear, but the food and design are authentic, and the hospitality of the staff is sincere, providing what we all need, and I hope that return visits to Greece will once again feature in my life.
To book the Iberostar Creta Marine, click here.
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