Phāea Cretan Malia (a member of Design Hotels)

This is the first Hotel we honestly consider coming back to next year! We travelled with our 4 year old daughter and the short trip from the airport to the hotel is a big plus. The staff is super friendly and helpful and the architecture and interior in general is beyond beautiful. Although there were lots of smaller children we never had the feeling that it's too loud or overcrowded. Also the fact that there are several restaurants to choose from (loved the Italian Restaurant and also the Cretan Breakfast at Mouries is highly recommended) gives you lots of culinary variety. The staff at the kids club is super lovely and there is lots to play. My only input would be to hire a german-speaking person since there are lots of Austrian and German kids. Our girl was a big intimidated because she can't speak English yet - but overall the atmosphere at the kids club is nice. The beach is beautiful, I loved the fine sand beach and comfy beach beds. We ordered drinks and snacks a couple of times which is a nice Service. The Rooms are beautiful (maybe a bit on the smaller side especially for 3 people, but that wasn't a huge downer) and clean. Highly recommend this hotel! :)

The hotel is really really lovely. Rooms are great and beds super comfy. Breakfasts are exceptional. The area isn’t great but there is plenty going on in-season to mean you don’t need to leave the hotel. But the one major disappointment is the food. It’s not cheap to eat or drink here but the quality is very average. We left dishes untouched because they just weren’t very nice. We also ate in the local tavernas and the food was better and half the cost.

If you want to experience exquisite luxury while still feeling the authentic Cretan vibe, Phaea Cretan Malia Park is the perfect place. We loved it so much that we went back three times.||The facilities are outstanding – modern yet blending perfectly with the lush greenery, pools, shaded areas, and the sea just a few steps away. Everything feels calm, well thought-out, and inviting.||But the real star of the show is the food: fresh, flavorful, and with an authentic Cretan touch that makes every meal unforgettable. From breakfast to dinner, it’s a true culinary journey.||This hotel manages to combine comfort, authenticity, and luxury in a way that feels effortless. Highly recommended!

I've never been to a resort quite as incredible as Phaea Cretan Malia. It is truly the most immersive experience with lots of activities, restaurants on property, variety of spots to tan and relax and the most Greek culture from the staff. We stayed in a balcony room overlooking the ocean and the waves crashing onto the shore were a sound I crave daily. Waking up and having coffee out there was the best way to start the day. We had a cooking class at Mouries and it was truly a core memory. They made us feel like their family and the food was so authentic we ended up eating breakfast, lunch and dinner there almost every day. The entire resort was extremely clean, room service was exceptional and we loved walking around it. Lastly, I loved the fact that this is an all inclusive resort for families. It was packed with kiddos as well as couples in their honeymoon making this the perfect place to visit as your family grows. It's close to downtown Malia which is known for its partying scene as well if you are a group of younger people looking for the perfect place to spend your holiday. Can't wait to visit in again!

We spent 4 wonderful days at Cretan Malia Park to celebrate my husband’s birthday, and everything was simply perfect! Thank you for making this day so special and truly unforgettable. A huge thank you to Diana from the beach bar – she was always one step ahead, so friendly and attentive! Also, Maria, from bar and restaurant at breakfast time, who happened to share the same birthday as my husband, surprised us with delicious chocolates – such a sweet gesture! And Dimitris from Mouries was fantastic as well. The front desk team was amazing, always smiling and ready to help with anything we needed. Special thanks to everyone at Cretan Malia Park for your warmth, professionalism, and genuine hospitality. You made our stay memorable in every way – we can’t wait to come back! 🌸 Myrsina

We traveled here with our girls in August. This was an incredible experience. The hotel is beautifully designed and maintained. There were several options to choose from with several pools and ocean side chairs. It was a treat to be able to go into the ocean with a lifeguard on duty. The food was excellent and the staff was very friendly. Would love to come back here again. Highly recommended!

Disclaimer: Do not stay here if you do not have children. The Phaea Cretan Malia is a beautiful hotel that appears just as luxurious in person as it does online. However, the property caters heavily to families with children. During my stay, I frequently woke up to the sound of kids crying near our room, which made it difficult to fully relax. The location is somewhat remote—it’s about a short drive or a 25–30 minute walk to reach most nearby attractions. That said, the service throughout our stay was excellent, and the housekeeping team did an outstanding job keeping our room spotless every day. One area that could use improvement is pool maintenance; the pools did not appear to be as well cared for as I would have expected from a resort of this caliber. Overall, while the property has great potential, it needs a few refinements to truly live up to its five-star image.

The resort is beautiful, very stylish, and family-friendly. The food in all the restaurants is excellent!!!! Beautiful beach part. Beautiful pool which is always really clean. Most of the staff were truly wonderful. However, for a five-star experience, there are a few aspects that could be improved: The minibar was empty, and when we inquired, we were told it wasn’t included in our booking. That’s understandable, but it would have been nice to at least have the option to purchase drinks individually. We also tried to order room service at 11:00 PM, only to be told the kitchen was already closed. For a five-star hotel, that was rather disappointing. We weren’t expecting a full-course meal – a simple salad, pasta, or pizza would have been sufficient. Additionally, some room service items were not replenished during our stay, such as coffee, tissues, and tea… At one point, our room key stopped working. We were told to go to the reception for assistance, which we did – three times – before someone finally accompanied us. In a five-star property, I would expect immediate support in such situations. These are all minor issues, and only worth mentioning in the context of a five-star standard. Overall, everything else was wonderful, and we would absolutely return without hesitation. Thank you for everything