Phāea Cretan Malia, a Member of Design Hotels

“This resort was just average overall. While it may be a good option for families, it was not the right fit for the type of experience we were seeking. The property is heavily geared toward families with children, creating a lively and often noisy atmosphere. Travelers looking for a peaceful, quiet, and relaxing getaway may want to consider other options. One positive aspect of the resort is its proximity to the beach. The beach is easily accessible and convenient for guests; however, it can become quite crowded, especially during peak hours. If you enjoy a bustling beach environment, this may be appealing, but those seeking tranquility may find it less enjoyable. Unfortunately, the level of customer service did not meet our expectations, particularly when compared to other hotels we stayed at throughout Greece. The front desk staff often appeared inattentive and lacked the knowledge needed to answer basic questions about the resort and surrounding area. Communication was also challenging, as it was often difficult to reach the front desk, and when we did, our questions frequently went unanswered or unresolved. Overall, our experience was disappointing. While the resort may be suitable for families looking for a busy, activity-filled vacation, it fell short in terms of customer service and guest satisfaction. Based on our experience, I would not choose to stay here again and would not recommend it to travelers seeking a higher level of hospitality and attentiveness.”

“This was one of the best resort experiences we have ever had in Europe. The Phāea Cretan Malia offers all the benefits of a large resort while giving you the intimate feel of a boutique hotel at the same time. We stayed in a Deluxe Suite, which even elevated the whole experience - waking up facing the sea every morning was incredible. During our stay, they had live music every evening. Besides the overall fantastic experience, the hotel offers great restaurants; the Cretan Restaurant was our absolute favorite. Prices are fair for the quality of the food, the wonderful dinner atmosphere, and the excellent service. However, it would be great if the hotel could introduce some more affordable lunch options. Lastly, I would like to mention the kids' clubs. 'Tiny Explorers' provides a fantastic play environment for kids under three, and 'Little Explorers' offers a full day of activities for kids aged three and up, which was awesome for keeping the little ones entertained. All in all, this hotel is superb. It offers all the amenities of a resort but always keeps the private atmosphere of a boutique hotel. It perfectly balances being appealing to adults who want to enjoy a drink in a beautiful setting in the evening, while offering everything needed for kids to have a lovely stay.”

“It’s a great choice for families with young children, although there are a few areas that could be improved. The highlights were definitely the beautiful gardens, which provide plenty of space for children to run around, and the food. We particularly enjoyed the Mezze, Italian and Muries restaurants, and even the buffet at Mediterraneo offered a good variety and quality. The beach is just a short walk away and very easy to access. Our suite was spacious, comfortable and worked really well for a family with small children. The kids’ pool is excellent and was a real highlight for our son, although the main adult pool could be larger, especially during busier periods. There were a few downsides. We found it disappointing that the half-board package only fully applies to the buffet restaurant, while the à la carte restaurants only offer a discount. The kids’ club also felt quite underwhelming, with very few children attending, so it lacked atmosphere. We also found the staff at the Mediterraneo buffet to be less friendly than elsewhere in the resort. Overall, this is a very good option if you’re travelling with young children. It’s incredibly convenient being so close to the airport, and the hotel is clearly geared towards families, with children’s menus and high chairs available everywhere. Almost everyone staying seemed to have toddlers or babies, which created a very family-friendly environment. That said, if you’re travelling without children, this probably wouldn’t be our first choice.”

“This is a very good resort with a lot of positive aspects. The beach right in front of the hotel is excellent, with calm waters and plenty of activities available such as kayaking and stand-up paddle. There is also a lot of space on the beach, so there is no need to rush to reserve sunbeds early in the morning, which makes the experience much more relaxing. The restaurants are of very good quality. Even if you are not on the all-inclusive plan, the prices are quite reasonable and not far from what you would pay in the city, with the added benefit of better quality in many cases. The drinks are also very good, and I would definitely recommend them. Overall, the staff were mostly very attentive and helpful, with only a few exceptions. In general, it’s a great place for a relaxing beach holiday with good food, good drinks, and well-organized beach facilities.”

“Highly overrated and overpriced. The design is undoubtedly very nice (being a Member of Design Hotels, you wouldn’t expect otherwise) and the kids club is large, well equipped with a very friendly manager. The buffet for breakfast and dinner is huge and delicious. But it really stops there. I’ve never been to a 300€ hotel with staff that is so uncommitted to deliver good service. Most of them seem totally indifferent and unwelcoming. The nicest staff we encountered was the cleaning crew who actually smiled at us. Nobody told us when we checked in or otherwise that we had to make reservations to eat at the other hotel restaurants days ahead of time. During our 6 day stay we had to eat at the buffet restaurant or leave to hotel to get dinner because all other restaurants were fully booked until 8pm (this is a hotel that caters almost entirely to families with young kids). I would not come back. Update: after getting the reply below it is even more obvious that it’s just a standard reply. I did talk to the receptionist about the restaurant booking and they couldn’t seem to care less.”