Cretan Malia Park

Having booked a junior suite we were led to believe that this would offer more amenities besides the larger room size, however not at this resort.

The main pool area shared with a kids/baby friendly area is the only place you can get a seat around a pool . The river pool only has seating that is reserved for bungalows, which are much cheaper than the suites and a fraction of the young kids and baby’s. So if you book a more expensive suite you do not have any seating at the river pool.

In addition we were told at the main pool we could not have our drinks in the pool in the plastic cups that they serve the beer or wine in due to hygienic concerns????? Now they serve bottles glass of sodas on the pool deck, which is obviously not a concern. The pool is filled with babies and kids, swimming diapers are good, but if hygiene is the reason plastic cups are of a concern then I am confused. Maybe the rule is, no alcohol in the pool, but allowed and sold at a good markup all around the pool. So the act of having a drink in a plastic cup in the main pool is prohibited!!!

You can go to the beach shack and order whatever you want with no priority seating areas.

Upon check in we were told that breakfast was at the buffet restaurant- but Maurice’s is the one designated if you rent a one bedroom suite. However, another asterisk you have to reserve this prior to breakfast. Only one night in and this is far from the resort they try to advertise.

The hotel is pleasant enough, we had a room with a shared private pool area which gave us a little peace. If you had to share the main pool and don’t like screaming babies and children I would highly advise you to seek accommodation elsewhere.

The hotels guest were predominantly young families with toddlers or babies, the pool area looked like a crèche! Constant screaming and crying and definitely not a peaceful experience.

Into other areas of the hotel which I believe fell short.

The hotels website sells itself on eco-friendly locally cooked food, but in reality you have to PAY to dine in these restaurants which they fail to mention, we felt very let down. The Mediterranean restaurant is about ok, the food is warm at best, kept alive on ‘hot plates’ or sometimes candles, piping hot food is not to be expected here. However I suspect dining in the restaurants that require payment would be a different matters

We wanted to eat in one of the small snack bars, but €18 for one crepe put us off for the whole time we stayed there, outrageous price. Sadly the hotel is about a 30 minute walk from any supermarket and the town, the taxi is €10 each way (cash). We ended up ordering from a supermarket in town via an app called WOLT and avoid paying the hotels ramped up prices.

Would I come here again, no. Recommend for young families with small children.

One of the best experiences , the place is very authentic and you feel that you belong to the place. Every details is very well thought off. The food was excellent and the team were amazing.