We Thought Ikos Had Ruined All Future Family Holidays… Until This Resort in Crete
Ikos was the brand we turned to after having our first baby – a name we trusted completely. We knew exactly what we were getting every time: incredible food, exceptional service, beautiful surroundings that made it feel like a real holiday for us, not just one centred around our baby.
But over the years, the price of Ikos resorts has risen significantly – to the point where returning started to feel unrealistic for our family. We were left wondering how anything else would ever compare again.
So when we booked this trip, we went in with cautious expectations. The resort promised similar standards of luxury, family friendly comfort and quality – but at a much more achievable price point than Ikos.
Would it really live up to what we’d experienced and loved?
To our surprise… it absolutely did.
Here’s what we loved about the Mitsis Selection Laguna in Crete, Greece.
Location and First Impressions
The resort is around a 20 minute drive from the airport – not too long at all after a four hour flight from Manchester.
From the moment we stepped into the lobby, we were genuinely wowed. The reception area is impressively grand and the staff immediately made us feel welcome with drinks for us and a little gift for each of the boys – such a lovely touch after travelling.
Although the resort is fairly large, it never once felt overwhelming. There are no buggies needed to get around as everything is completely walkable, which we really appreciated. It’s also noticeably smaller than its sister resort, Mitsis Blue Domes (you can read about our stay there in our full Mitsis Blue Domes review here).
A Resort that Feels Like a Village
One of the standout features of this hotel is its stunning Venice-style pool landscape, which feels totally unique. Some rooms are surrounded by almost canal like pools that weave through the resort, creating such a beautiful atmosphere. Several of the à la carte restaurants overlook this area too making it especially magical in the evenings.
Despite being a resort, the overall vibe feels authentically Greek. Think whitewashed buildings, colourful flowers and low rise structure (all buildings are only two storeys high) with no tower blocks or anything that feels overpowering. Walking through the grounds feels like strolling through a small Greek village which is ideal if you’re planning to spend most (or all) of your holiday within the resort itself.
The hotel is set just back from the beach, meaning you’re on the sand within moments. A quick note for parents who are used to setting ridiculously early alarms to secure a sunbed – there’s absolutely no need for that here…
The Room That Made All the Difference
This was our first time travelling as a family of four – with our youngest still just a few months old – so more than anything, we wanted a week that truly allowed us to relax.
The room we chose honestly made all the difference.
We stayed in the Bungalow Family Sharing Pool room (you can view it here), and it couldn’t have been more perfectly suited to travelling with little ones. The layout includes two separate sleeping areas, divided by a wooden partition, which meant our toddler had his own dedicated sleep space while our baby slept in his cot with us.
That simple separation was a game changer. It helped block out noise when we were up during the night and meant both boys could nap peacefully during the day while we sat out on our terrace, cocktail in hand, soaking up the sunshine.
The room itself was incredibly spacious (and actually noticeably larger than the room we previously stayed in at Ikos) and it felt bright, modern and spotlessly clean. That fresh, contemporary feel really does add to the overall sense of calm, especially when travelling with young children.
It was comfortable, practical and genuinely relaxing – everything we needed for our first holiday as a family of four.
Pools, Beach and Outdoor Spaces
There are several pools dotted throughout the resort, including a shallow children’s pool complete with a big yellow slide which was a huge hit with our toddler (as well as his dad – I can’t lie!) And parents, you’ll be pleased to know there’s also a bar conveniently located right next to it – always a win.
The hotel is set directly on the beach, making it incredibly easy to move between pool and sea throughout the day. The main beach is shingle so I’d definitely recommend packing beach shoes for both comfort and to protect little feet from the heat. That said, the sea here was beautifully clear and perfect for a refreshing swim or paddle.
If you walk slightly further along to the right, you’ll find a sandy section of beach, where the sea stays shallow for much longer – this quickly became a popular spot for families!
We naturally fell into a little rhythm during our stay. Mornings were spent down at the beach while the temperatures were still mild (don’t miss the beach snack bar, and maybe even queue for when it opens as it gets busy, the gyros were incredible!). Then after lunch and nap time, we’d relax by our shared pool area or wander over to the children’s pool for some afternoon fun.
Some of the Best Resort Food We've Had
Food is a big part of any holiday for us. We love the ease and relaxed feel of all inclusive but what we don’t love is eating the same buffet on repeat.
This was something we’d previously loved about Ikos, with its strong à la carte offering so we were really curious to see how this resort would compare… and it exceeded our expectations.
There are six themed à la carte restaurants on site, with the Cretan, Italian and Asian being our favourites. While the children’s menu remains consistent across the restaurants (which actually works really well for familiarity), the adult menus are varied meaning every evening still felt different.
The food throughout our stay was genuinely excellent; I’d go as far as saying some of the best food we’ve had at an all inclusive resort.
There’s also a crêpe and ice cream station by the main pool which quickly became a daily stop for us (the crêpes were unreal!). Breakfast was served buffet style with plenty of choice and a really good standard – everything you’d expect and more.
Little tip:
Book your à la carte restaurants before you arrive. Once you receive your reservation number, you can download the Mitsis app and reserve tables in advance. Earlier bookings typically secure the best tables (often outdoors), whereas later slots sometimes mean dining inside where it can feel warmer.
We did notice some guests who hadn’t booked and instead queue on the day – doable but not always ideal when you’ve got hungry little ones waiting.
Entertainment That We Actually Enjoyed
The evening entertainment here was genuinely great – especially for families. Throughout our stay we watched magic shows, bubble shows and even acrobatic performances – all of which were really well done.
The children’s disco runs nightly and is often followed by a separate show which made evenings feel fun and easy without being overwhelming. There was also live music at the main bar which changed each night. The shows were engaging, professional and had the crowd involved which made evenings something we looked forward to.
While we didn’t personally use it, there is also a kids’ club for children aged 4 – 12 and open daily from 10am until 6pm. During the day, the resort also offers organised activities, a spa and even an outdoor gym – which my husband somehow managed to fit in during nap time (I’ll never understand that level of motivation!).
Would We Recommend It?
Yes – absolutely.
If you’ve previously stayed at a brand like Ikos and are now searching for the ‘next best thing’, I genuinely think this resort could be it. It’s not a cheap, budget holiday but it is noticeably more affordable than Ikos, while still delivering on setting, food quality and overall standards.
I would say this resort is best suited to families with younger children. If your children are older and looking for a full water park style experience with lots of slides, this may not quite tick every box. That said, the large slide kept our eldest thoroughly entertained and he loved the novelty of having pool access from our terrace, the beach just moments away and the excitement of the nightly entertainment.
If you’re looking for a touch of luxury, an easy, relaxing week away and a resort where your children are just as happy as you are – then this could very well be the one.
Our Final Thoughts
This resort genuinely surprised us and that’s not something I say lightly.
After experiencing Ikos, we honestly thought our expectations for family holidays had been set impossibly high but this stay proved that there are resorts out there offering exceptional food, beautiful surroundings and a true family friendly setup – without the eye watering price tag.
From the thoughtfully designed rooms and relaxed pool areas to the quality dining and evening entertainment, everything here felt well considered for families travelling with young children. It allowed us to properly switch off knowing the boys were just as happy and comfortable as we were.
If you’re searching for a luxury feel family holiday, with space to relax, great food, short transfers and an environment that works for parents and little ones then this resort is absolutely worth considering.
We left and booked another stay at one of their resorts for the following summer… and for us, that says everything.
Head over to my Instagram, @little_family_diaries_ and join us on our family adventures in real time.