Stella Palace Aqua Park Resort, Crete

Kelly Bush @kbtravel_trips

A resort that truly caters to every member of the family, offering an authentic taste of pure Cretan luxury surrounded by swaying palm trees. From the moment you arrive, your holiday begins in style. Once you’ve checked in, you’ll be whisked away to your room in a golf buggy, a small but delightful touch that signals the start of something special.

Choose from a variety of pools to relax by, or dive into the action at the brilliant onsite waterpark, complete with thrilling water slides for all ages. There’s also a kids club that provides endless fun for the children, run by the animation team. You’ll also find an outdoor gym, mini golf, ping pong, and darts—plenty to keep everyone entertained. For adults, there’s also a tranquil wellness centre and spa where you can enjoy some well-deserved pampering.

If you have energetic children who love water slides, they’ll be in paradise! The resort’s onsite waterpark is packed with excitement, offering smaller slides perfect for little ones and thrilling drop boat slides for older kids and adventurous adults. When it’s time to recharge, the waterpark features various snack bars serving refreshing drinks, ice creams, and a variety of delicious lunchtime meals from burgers to salads. Often pool snacks/food can be boring and plain but the pool snacks here were delicious!

For those who prefer a more tranquil setting away from the poolside or waterpark, the resort also boasts a small private beach. It’s the perfect spot to relax by the sea!

With an array of bars and restaurants to choose from, you’ll never go hungry or thirsty during your stay. The main buffet restaurant caters to all tastes, offering a wide variety of dishes too. For something extra special, the resort features several specialty restaurants serving cuisines from around the world, including Mexican, Greek, Asian, and Mediterranean. These restaurants are bookable upon arrival, so securing your spot early is highly recommended to avoid disappointment.

Our absolute favourite was the Greek restaurant, ELIA, which offers an outdoor dining experience overlooking one of the pools. The evening setting is simply stunning. We were also incredibly fortunate to enjoy breakfast and lunch at ELIA, where the service, atmosphere, and food were nothing short of exceptional.

The Family Suites rooms at the resort are nothing short of stunning, designed with both luxury and practicality in mind. We stayed in a Family Suite overlooking one of the sharing pools, and it was perfect for our family of five. The room was spacious and thoughtfully designed, comfortably accommodating all of us. The addition of two showers and two toilets was a game-changer—ideal for a larger family like ours!

Travelling with us were my in-laws, who stayed in a Private Swim up Room which was a truly luxurious suite. With elegant décor, a queen-size bed, and direct access to a private pool, it felt like a retreat within the resort itself which my in-laws absolutely loved. We also enjoyed using their private pool and my kids loved it! Waking up and stepping straight from bed into the pool? What’s not to love!

It’s worth noting that this hotel is in a secluded area, offering a peaceful and serene setting perfect for a relaxing getaway. The small resort center of Analipsis is about 1km away for those who want to explore locally. For a bit more adventure, the bustling main town of Heraklion is a 25-minute drive away. Taxis are available and can be booked easily at reception.

If you’re looking for an extra-special family resort that caters for everyone, I cannot recommend this resort enough. It was such an incredible experience for us that we’ve already booked a return trip in 2025 with even more members of our extended family, and we simply cannot wait!

Top tips:

* Download the Stella Hotels Collection App before your trip! You’ll need it to check in upon arrival and can be used throughout your stay!

* When you arrive, be sure to book the specialty restaurants right away, as they tend to fill up quickly. While it’s not guaranteed you’ll secure a spot at all the specialty restaurants, rest assured that the food across the entire resort is absolutely incredible, from the main buffet to the snack bars and specialty dining experiences.

* If you get the opportunity and you love a sunset, do not miss the sunset from the beach, it’s absolutely beautiful. One of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen.

On a side note, please be aware that this resort is situated on a very slight incline and isn’t completely flat. It’s only a small detail but one that can make a big difference in planning your stay and to be aware of.

Written by Kelly Bush @kbtravel_trips

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