Stella Palace Resort & Spa

The Stella Palace Hotel offers a wide variety of places to relax. Despite the relentless Cretan sun, the large lobby feels cool and spacious, with plenty of comfortable couches to choose from and lots to look at, from the skylit atrium to the fountains and glass elevator. The main buffet restaurant has modern furniture and an uncluttered feel; there are many large tables for groups.

Considering the modernity and overall relatively stylish vibe, the Stella Palace offers reasonable all-inclusive rates. With so many kid-friendly amenities, families make up the majority of guests, but some couples come here for the massive spa.

The Stella Palace Hotel is in a fairly remote area near the village of Analipsi, just across the street from a private section of Analipsi Beach that is marked off by man-made jetties. The jetties have created a calm, shallow spot for swimmers that is safe for kids. The airport is 12 miles away, and it is 16 miles to Heraklion city. The village of Analipsi is within walking distance. Those who want to explore the island may prefer to rent a car; the hotel offers free parking.

Rooms at the Stella Palace Hotel are spotless and, although not huge, feel uncluttered and peaceful. The wood furniture is simple; tile floors help keep the room cool, and the air-conditioning is excellent. Fresh flowers are a nice touch, but overall the look in the standard rooms isn't quite as upscale as one may expect at a four-pearl property. Bathrooms are gorgeous and up-to-date with soaking tubs and bowl sinks, but the hair dryers are old-fashioned and attached to the wall. Terraces have sturdy tables and chairs, and excellent views of the beautifully landscaped grounds. Some suites have hot tubs; some share a private pool and quiet sundeck; villas have the ultimate: pristine private pools. All rooms come with large flat-screen TVs, but Wi-Fi is an additional fee.

Special to the Stella Palace Hotel is the picturesque, white stucco wedding chapel on the property, along with wedding planning services and romantic rooms for honeymooners. The pools are huge (and busy), surrounded by hammocks, sunbeds, and snack bars, with palm tree islands in the center, and the kids pool is extraordinary, with slides, jets, and a pirate ship that should keep them occupied for hours. The wellness spa offers a full array of body and beauty treatments, but the fitness center and indoor pool are not included in the hotel amenities, and come with fees.

There are two a la carte restaurants on-site: La Veranda, which serves Asian cuisine, and Elia, which specializes in Cretan and Greek food, using local herbs and ingredients. The Main Bar, located in the lobby, is done in elegant greens that reflect the gorgeous grounds. A pretty, high backed aqua banquette is a perfect place to sit and gaze out the picture windows. Live music and a piano player accompany evening cocktails. There is an outdoor deck for unwinding in the fresh air. The two pool bars serve snacks, tea, coffee, and, of course, liquor, in sun or shade, and the Mediterra Pool Bar/Disco is the place to be for nightly entertainment. Open late, the Disco has an evocative beamed ceiling and white fabric hangings that, together, suggest dancing on a sailing ship. Outdoor activities include tennis, soccer, and beach volleyball.