Cretan Malia Park

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!

Phāea Cretan Malia offers a refined yet soulful retreat that captures the essence of contemporary Cretan living. The design is effortlessly minimal, earthy, and elegant—framing nature rather than competing with it. From bioclimatic architecture to thoughtfully curated cuisine and locally inspired, every detail feels intentional and rooted in place. The atmosphere is relaxed, sensory, and deeply connected to the land, making it an ideal haven for travelers seeking both style and meaning.

First, the great parts... - breakfast is excellent - staff are very friendly - beautiful hotel, with a lovely beach (the sea was very warm and it's a (mainly) sandy beach, so perfect for swimming - we found the junior beachfront suite was a good size/well designed for a family The not so great parts... - The team at the kids club seem to lack direction/training. There wasn't much going on (there is a timetable, but didn't seem to be adhered to) and, given the amount of staff, it could have been much better with a bit of leadership/imagination. - The food is a big issue. The Italian restaurant is excellent, but often fully booked. It was closed one night that we were here. The Crush (ice creams/waffles/crepes etc) is very good, but was closed on 3/7 days, without prior warning. The Beach Shack, which is advertised on the website as being open until midnight (and on the welcome info pack as being open until 1am) closes at 6pm, with no food orders past 5.30pm. A great shame, with such a beautiful setting and sunset not for many hours after. Another of the restaurants is only for adults so, unless you go out of the hotel (there are limited options nearby, though the Malia Port restaurant is outstanding and well worth a visit, just a short walk along the beach), you could be restricted to room service...which is well below the standard one might expect of a 5* hotel. I'd also add that it is not at all clear if the River Pool is open to all guests, or just ones with rooms that border it - all the sunbeds along the pool are reserved for certain rooms, so it isn't obvious! On balance, I would recommend the hotel - it's beautiful, clean, peaceful and has a great beach...and we've had an amazing holiday! However, I'm leaving 3* in the hope this review is read by management, and acted upon.

Unforgettable experience at Phaea Creta Malia! I visited the hotel on May 18th, 2025, and I was absolutely impressed! Everything was perfect: excellent service from all the staff, cleanliness, delicious food, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Highlights include the beach bar, the Meze restaurant (special thanks to Olga and Dimitris for their kindness and help in exploring new flavors!), Eirini at the lobby, Marina at the creperie, and Giannis who ended my day with a delightful cocktail by the pool. The room was spotless, beautifully maintained, and full of thoughtful details. I didn’t have time to explore everything, but I will definitely return—next time with my family. This is not just a hotel; it truly feels like a home away from home. Congratulations to the entire team!

We led a yoga retreat at Phaea Cretan Malia and were deeply impressed with our stay, from the exemplary quality of the hotel, location, friendly and accommodating staff and the excellence: quality, quantity and variety, of the food. The hotel manages it's activities and services with an eco-conscious ethos that extends from the beauty of its design, landscaping, and atmosphere to attentive and friendly service and a wide selection of amenities. It is excellent value with excellent access to cultural and geographic wonders locally, and to the Island and its airport generally. Whatever your need, from beach vacation to more active exploration, the hotel is the perfect getaway. We will be back.