Sensatori

“The first in our new generation of hotels, Sensatori Crete brings you everything from sports to spa treatments with a touch of classic Greek style.” This is the one that started it all. Five star – but not in the look-but-don’t-touch sense - it’s a stylish space with a chilled out feel. Think funky feature walls, sweeping staircases and plenty of Greek flair in the shape of gilt mirrors and super-sized urns. But interiors aside, where this hotel really excels is in the entertainment. It’s the best you’ll find at any Thomson hotel, spanning adults-only comedy nights, shows with West End sparkle, and laid-back live music. Elsewhere, it’s all about choice. Over-sized rooms range from twins and doubles to family rooms and suites, and most are available with sea views, private pools or swim-up entrances. There are six stylish restaurants serving up everything from stone-grilled steak to Thai. As for children, new wave play comes courtesy of the Kids’ Kitchen, Silly Science Lab and water-soaking Sprayground. Here, little ones can play ‘house’, pretend to be a professor and generally let loose, all in the presence of our Sensatori-qualified staff. Talking of staff, Sensatori Resort, Crete comes ribbon-tied with service that’s second to none so you can expect 5 star treatment from the moment you arrive, until the moment you leave.

Premier Collection

Sensatori is part of Thomson’s Premier Collection, which means you’re entitled to exclusive extras like a bigger luggage allowance.

The Location

Sensatori Crete is just over a quiet road from Lyttos Beach. It also borders Analipsi, a traditional village that’s home to a handful of cafés, bars and beach shops. When you fancy something more lively, Hersonissos is about a ten-minute drive away.

The Hotel and Rooms

The chandeliered lobby is a grand marble space of classic Greek design. There’s a similar feel to the bedrooms. Gilt mirrors and oversized vases add a touch of Hellenic grace, while feature walls, sleek wooden or ceramic floors and flatscreen TVs give a nod to 21st-century style. The beds, meanwhile, are big and incredibly comfortable.

In terms of the types of room available, there are spacious twin and double bedrooms, with most double rooms sleeping three. There are also larger family rooms sleeping four, with a double bed, sofa beds and sliding partition doors. Plus there are a variety of suites that can sleep between two and five people. These feature a separate bedroom with a double bed, and a living area with extra beds in the form of sofa or folding beds.

Most room types are available as swim-up or private pool rooms, so you can be footsteps from the water. Sea views are available with most of them, too. Whichever you choose, they’re all fully air-conditioned and have jet showers, jet baths and hairdryers.

The Pools

Arranged in a tier-like formation, there are six pools that come in all shapes and sizes. At the top there are two pools with a lively vibe. One is perfect for in-the-water activities like aqua aerobics. The other teams a splash pool with a sprayground featuring tipping buckets and water jets. It's near the Tropical Treehouse, which has climbing walls and monkey bars, so everything's really close at hand for the little ones. The middle level, meanwhile, features two family pools - a shallow one and another that gets gradually deeper. As for the lower level, it's been designed with relaxation in mind. You'll find two adults-only pools, plus a giant outdoor hot tub.

The Dining

There are six restaurants, four of which are included in your Full Board Plus. The main restaurant comes with buffet stations, show cooking and children's buffets. Here, you've got the option of dining indoors or out on the terrace. The Red Saffron, meanwhile, is a contemporary Greek taverna that also offers buffet-style meals. When the weather's nice, everything from fish to steak is prepared outdoors on a stone barbecue. Elsewhere, the Tex-Mex serves tacos, fajitas and ribs out by the pool. Another option is the Five Flavours Thai, which serves Oriental dishes like Thai green curry. Plus there are two restaurants that cost a little extra but are well worth splashing out on. Right by the beach, the Aroma Stone Grill has a Caribbean-esque feel. Food is served on a sizzling stone slab, with rib-eye steaks and salmon fillets among the temptations. Over in Al Dente, the à la carte restaurant, the focus is on haute cuisine. All but the main restaurant require reservations. In the evenings, gentlemen are asked to wear long trousers in all restaurants.

The Entertainment

Entertainment at Sensatori Crete is the best you’ll find at any Thomson hotel. Two main venues, the Boardwalk and the Show Lounge, stage everything from exclusive shows to classical musicians. There’s Stars of the West End, with performers from London’s theatreland jetting out to perform intimate, unplugged-style concerts. You’ve got top tribute acts, too, plus a great adults-only comedy night. If it’s just a quiet drink you fancy, there are plenty of spots to relax with a cocktail. Little ones get cutting-edge children’s entertainment in the form of ‘Play House Live’. It features specially designed live shows such as 'Bull', a puppet musical starring farmyard animals.

The Experience

Relaxation The star turn on this front is the spa. Picture a contemporary canvas of dark wood and marble complete with candles and water features. Factor in soothing music and mellow lighting and it exudes calm. Size-wise, it’s vast – there are 24 cabins, plus two saunas, a steam room, an indoor pool and a beauty salon. And while you’re being pampered, your younger ones can have their own mini treatment. Treatments and facilities come at an extra charge.

Sports & Adventure You’ll find favourites like tennis, volleyball and football. Elsewhere, you can try archery or join a scuba-diving trial session. On the wellness front, there’s yoga, pilates or t’ai chi. During July and August there’s a special programme for 8 to 15-year-olds featuring sea scooters, water walkers and street dance.

Play At the Play House, daytime activities are anything but average thanks to the Kids’ Kitchen, the Silly Science Lab and the Arts and Crafts Zone. You'll also find special wellbeing sessions, including Chi 4 Children, Kidz Capoeira and Yoga Totz, which the whole family can enjoy. Evenings, meanwhile, bring parties and movies. Designed for 3 to 12s, the Play House is open six days a week with free supervised sessions running for an hour or two. Plus you can use the facilities as a family with our special ‘stay and play’ sessions. Babies, meanwhile, get their own nursery – a multi-sensory space with flashing lights, tactile panels and a huge range of toys. It’s open seven days a week for tots up to four years. And it goes without saying all nursery staff hold UK-accredited childcare qualifications. Nursery sessions cost extra and need to be pre-booked because of the strict child to staff ratio.

Weddings

You can even tie the knot at Sensatori Crete. The hotel offers a choice of settings, and Big Day trimmings available include spa treatments for the bride and a romantic champagne breakfast.

Full Board Plus

With Full Board Plus you can eat dinner in four of the six restaurants. Breakfast is served in two of them, while lunch is in one. You can also grab snacks at the Tex-Mex. House wine, draught beer and soft drinks are included at lunch and dinner.