Family fun in Sensatori, Crete

Sensatori, Crete

Sensatori is a five star hotel that caters for kids - but there's plenty to do for adults too - as Fiona Webster discovered

IF you are looking for a holiday that satisfies the "Mum I'm bored" brigade, then Sensatori in Crete ticks pretty much all the boxes.

Children aged 5 - 15 are often the hardest to please. Their boundless energy and constant need for entertainment - and soft drinks - make any trip a challenge.

Sensatori is a custom-built resort catering specifically for families, but with plenty to do for adults, and offers good all-inclusive deals, so you won't be constanlty forking out for Fantas! Younger children are welcome but the numerous swimming pools dotted around the complex could be a bit of a worry if you have toddlers and much older teenagers might get a little bored. We reckon it is ideal for the 5 - 15 age group, and holidaying with other families.

It's is a five star hotel created to satisfy your senses, hence the name. The result is a complex of spacious terraces, suites and rooms, set in gardens filled with of Cretan flowers and herbs, and just across the road from Lyttos beach.

For active family members there's plenty to do: kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, scuba diving, tennis, basketball and golf with driving nets. There is also a well staffed kids club for 3 to 12 year olds, called the Play House, with an extensive progamme of activities, such as Kids’ Kitchen, the Silly Science Lab and the Arts and Crafts Zone. In the evenings kids can enjoy parties, movies and even a sleepover once a week. Yes, that means nights out without the kids!

For older children, aged five to 16 there is a theatre school called Razzamatazz, where singing, dancing and acting lessons are on offer during July and August. And during those months there's a special programme for eight to 15-year-olds featuring sea scooters, raft racing and Diablo circus training. For young football fans FA qualified coaches lead an International Soccer School, for ages five to 16.

For both adults and kids there’s a nightly entertainment programme that includes acts flown in from the UK, like comics from the Jongleurs comedy club and regular cabaret.

For mums and daughters - or weary dads - Sensatori's spa offers everything, from chocolate massage and Bodywraps to thalassotherapy and steam baths. Or you can join in the free yoga and Pilates classes or dip in the indoor pool if you need a break from the baking sun.

The hotel itself is spacious and cool. As you walk in the marble entrance into a huge palm filled atrium you are met by a team of smiling, smartly dressed staff.

There are twin and double bedrooms, with most doubles sleeping three, and larger family rooms sleeping four, with a double bed, sofa beds and sliding partition doors. The suites sleep two to five and have a separate bedroom with double bed, living area with beds and some have verandas leading on to the lagoon-like pools that snake around the grounds, so you can sunbathe in private and then step straight into the water to cool down. Most rooms feature fridges, TV's and bathrooms with power showers and some have Jacuzzi baths. If you want your room cleaned or your towels changed two or three times during the day you simply leave a note outside and it happens.

There is ample choice when it comes to dining, both within and outside the hotel. If you have young children there are four restaurants where you can eat free, with local wine, beer and soft drinks with the meal included. On offer are Greek, Thai, stone grill, TexMex and full buffet, staffed by fast, friendly waiters. The food is excellent in all of them, but the a la carte is also worth a visit. This is definitely the place to unwind and indulge, yet you don't see anyone rolling around drunk as you might in Britain.

WHAT'S TO SEE?
Sensatori is set on the edge of the Cretan beachside village of Analipsi, which has ample shops and bars and you can walk along Lyttos Beach for miles, stopping at a taverna on the way.
If want to explore you can catch a local bus, take one of the many coach tours on offer or hire
mountain bikes, a car or motorbikes, as we did. See the palace ruins at Knossos just outside Crete's capital Heraklion, the ancient Minoan remains at Malia Palace or the lively fishing port of Agios Nikolaos. Further afield are the mountain villages of the Amari Valley and the beautiful old port of Chania.

You can see why Crete is one of Europe's most popular holiday destinations. It's the largest island in Greece, with over 8,000 square kilometers of hills, mountains and beaches, and has been welcoming visitors for centuries, yet has managed to retain its identity in a way that some parts of the increasingly developed Greek mainland has lost. Yes, there is a tourist side to Crete, mostly along the north coast where hotels have sprung up and young Brits get out of hand. But on the whole the island has kept its distinct character, with plenty of historical interest on offer, while the south side boasts stretches of traditional, quieter Crete.

The centre of the island is dominated by stunning mountain ranges dotted with caves. Clamber down one of the more dramatic gorges, if you dare and you will probably have to be collected at the bottom by boat, few cars make it through here. Crete is steeped in culture, and the beauty is you can enjoy a slice of history with a slice of chilled watermelon and iced raki or local wine, which is excellent. Cretan hospitality is second to none and its Greek/ Turkish influences are reflected in the food and friendliness of the people.

Visit Crete once and you may not want to leave.

GO CRETE
Cost: Thomson offer seven nights at the 5T Sensatori in Crete at around £550 per person. This price is based on two adults sharing a double room. It includes accommodation on a full board plus basis, flights, transfers and all taxes and charges.
Travel: Fly to Haraklion airport. Transfer time approx 50 minutes.
Currency: Euro ۬
Language: Greek and English
Local dish: Dolmades - vine leaves stuffed with meat, vegetables and seasoning.
Local drink: Raki: a colourless grape-based spirit, and local wine.
Good buys: leather goods, jewellery.
Prices: Coffee £1
Beer: £1.75
Simple meal for four: £28
Temperature: June - August: very hot, spring and autumn: simply hot!
More info: www.thomson.co.uk or call 0871 230 2555