Grecotel Amirandes

Grecotel Amirandes stands out among Mediterranean family all-inclusives for a single reason that dominates the decision tree for large families: children up to twelve years old stay free and eat free in selected room types and periods, which transforms the economics of a week-long holiday when you have multiple kids. The property sits in Gouves on Crete's north coast between Heraklion and Rethymno, a 20-minute drive from the airport, on a beachfront property with multiple pools, a kids program run by Grecoland, and a straightforward all-inclusive structure that lets you lock in costs before you arrive. For families with three or four children, this pricing model alone justifies serious consideration even before examining the quality of the accommodations or the resort itself.

The all-inclusive package includes lavish breakfast buffets at the main restaurant, buffet lunches with Mediterranean flavors served at Tasty Corner between 12:30 and 14:00, and dinner across four à la carte restaurants: Minotaur (decorated with original Picasso ceramics and specializing in Cretan cuisine), a seafood venue, an Asian fusion restaurant, and additional Greek dining venues. The package provides unlimited beverages including premium wines, spirits, cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, and fresh juices throughout the day. Snacks and ice cream arrive at pool and beach loungers. Minibar restocking with soft drinks, wine, and beer happens daily in rooms. Coffee and tea facilities come in-room standard. What costs extra: à la carte dining experiences at speciality restaurants occur once per seven-night stay and require reservation (one reservation per week is included, but additional specialty dining costs money). A "dine out option" that lets you eat at local restaurants excludes transfers. Spa treatments sit outside the all-inclusive model. Meal allowances cannot be accumulated or carried over, which means unused dining credits on one day do not roll forward.

Children up to twelve years old receive complimentary kids' dining, unlimited snacks, and participation in the Grecoland Kids programme at no additional charge. The structure matters: this isn't a kids' club that charges extra on top of the all-inclusive rate; it's built into the base cost. Kids' menus are available at all dining venues, and snacks run throughout the day at Grecoland between 11:00 and 17:00. Lunch buffet at Tasty Corner serves dedicated kids' selections alongside the main buffet between 12:30 and 14:00. At dinner venues, à la carte kids' menus ensure children eat proper meals, not versions of adult plates. For a family with children in the ten-to-twelve age range, this all-inclusive pricing means your kids eat at the same restaurants as adults without upselling or premium charges.

Grecoland itself divides into three age groups, each with a distinct activity focus: Grecokids (ages four to six) emphasizes creative play, water activities, arts and crafts, and cooking classes; Grecojuniors (seven to twelve) offers sports, adventure games, nature activities, and organized competitions; Grecoteens (thirteen to seventeen) features beach volleyball, basketball, dance classes, and tournaments. The program runs six days per week throughout the season, which means one day is off-duty for full-family time or independent exploration. The resort does not publish specific operating hours (whether it runs 9:00 to 17:00, noon to 17:00, or whether dinner-time supervision is available), which is a gap you'll need to fill by contacting the property directly at +30 28970 41103. If your children are ages four and up, the program is available; younger siblings under four enter the Baby Club program (ages zero to three), though details on Baby Club structure, scheduling, and any additional costs are not published.

Room types include spacious family rooms with separate bedrooms or open-plan layouts, and luxurious villas with direct beach access and private pools. The distinction between "separate bedrooms" and "open-plan" matters for families where privacy or noise management matters: a true two-bedroom suite offers space and separation, while an open-plan layout with a sleeping alcove may not work for teenagers who need their own space. Rooms come with daily-restocked minibars, in-room espresso, and tea facilities. The property offers rooms ranging from standard accommodations to opulent suites and beachfront villas, though exact room counts, square footage, and specific floor plans are not published. Children up to twelve stay free in selected room types during selected periods, which means not every room category or season qualifies for the free-child rate; verify your specific dates and room selection in advance to confirm the free-child pricing applies.

The beach and pool setup gives families many environments. Unlimited beach and pool access includes snacks, ice cream, and drinks delivered to loungers. The resort features multiple pools, though exact numbers and depth/temperature specifications are not published. The private beach is the primary draw, especially for families with young children who prefer sand and supervised water areas over open sea. Watersports and water activities are available, though the public site does not specify whether sea kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, windsurfing, or jet skiing are included or charge separately. For families planning water-based days, verify the watersports inclusion before booking.

Babysitting services are available for families wanting child-free evening time, but costs are not published online. For a family wanting to enjoy adults-only dinner at one of the à la carte restaurants, knowing babysitting rates in advance helps with budgeting. A similar question applies to equipment rentals (beach umbrellas, loungers, water sports gear): some all-inclusives include these free, others charge, and Grecotel does not specify. The property features both a gym and spa facilities for parents wanting some me-time during the day while kids are in Grecoland.

Pricing for families arrives as a major advantage: children up to twelve pay zero on the room rate and zero on meals and snacks, which means a family of five (two adults and three children under twelve) pays for two all-inclusive rates, not five. Nightly rates for families start around 350-450 euros per night depending on room type and season, but this is the all-inclusive figure for two adults plus any number of children under twelve in selected room categories. Once a child turns thirteen, they transition to teen pricing or adult pricing; the exact threshold is not published, so confirm this boundary. The free-child promotion applies to selected periods, which typically excludes July, August, and Christmas. Check the resort's rate calendar for your specific travel dates to confirm the free-child rate applies.

Amirandes works best for large families with multiple children under twelve and parents wanting to simplify vacation budgeting. The free-child pricing model is genuinely unusual among Mediterranean all-inclusives and saves families thousands of euros over a week-long stay compared to traditional per-person all-inclusive rates. The Grecoland kids program provides structured activity and frees parents from constant entertainment duties. The four-to-twelve age range for Grecoland (starting at four, not younger) works well for families with school-age children; families with toddlers under four should verify Baby Club details before booking. For families prioritizing value, predictable costs, and a Cretan beach setting with kids programs built in, Amirandes delivers. Contact the resort to confirm kids club hours, especially whether dinner-time supervision is available, at what age children transition to teen or adult pricing, and which watersports are included versus extra.