Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort, Six Senses Spa ★★★★★

I’d always dreamed of going back to Crete… a place that nature has given all its best gifts to, with its glorious beaches, majestic mountains, fertile valleys and steep gorges. But with more than ten years gone since I’d first discovered this magical island, I was worried that it wouldn’t be as picturesque as it was in my head. What if it had become spoilt and crowded, or cheap and tasteless? There was only one way to find out. I booked a holiday for the whole family and a few weeks later we were jetting off to my slice of paradise in the Aegean Sea, swapping the British rain for clear blue skies and Cretan sunshine.

Porto Elounda is one of those rare resorts which really is suitable for everyone – families, couples, single travellers, groups of friends… The extraordinary range of activities and relaxation options means that our holiday could be whatever we wanted it to be. The resort harmonises perfectly with the surrounding scenery, helping us to get to know the island in real style and comfort. Our Sea View Room had a gorgeous private balcony with comfortable furniture and terracotta plant pots lining the edges. It came with all the facilities we could possibly need, including a luxurious marble bathroom complete with towel heaters, bathrobes, slippers, signature bath amenities and even a speaker system! We enjoyed the ‘Porto Elounda Welcome Treat’ and a glass of wine from the mini-bar, before exploring the rest of our haven of luxury.

To the staff’s surprise, we all headed off in different directions, agreeing to meet for a family meal at Odysseas Restaurant. The nine-hole course is one of the principal attractions, and my husband strolled leisurely to the first tee for an afternoon practising his favourite hobby, but for non-golfers like me, Porto Elounda has much more to offer. After a refreshing dip in the infinity-style pool, I snuck off to the world-class spa where I treated myself to a traditional hammam massage, followed by an algae detox body wrap and a revitalising facial. I then wandered over to the private beach to join my daughters who’d been having a go at windsurfing and kayaking and were now soaking up the afternoon sun on their loungers. My son meanwhile had been left to his own devices and had already made a big group of friends at the kids club, where they’d played ‘Beach Olympic Games’ and splashed around in the water park.

Evening arrived and we feasted on classic Greek cuisine at the seaside restaurant with beautiful views and excellent service. Feeling satisfied, we tucked the kids up in bed and headed to the beach bar for a cocktail or two under the impressive wooden canopy, sipping our drinks to the rhythm of the traditional music and appreciating some time to ourselves.

We spent the rest of the week exploring our surroundings… including sailing a private yacht to discover hidden treasures in remote bays and coves, visiting Cretan villages and towns and taking advantage of the huge range of activities available at the hotel. It can be hard to keep everyone in the family entertained, but there was always something to make sure everyone was catered for and it would’ve been an extraordinary feat of effort to find something to whinge about – something that happens a lot at home! Crete was even better than I’d remembered and everyone came home feeling healthy, happy and reinvigorated after a trip that’ll provide us with a lifetime of memories.