When it comes to holidays there's so much choice that picking one can often feel a bit overwhelming. But if you're taking children abroad there are some things that are guaranteed to tick the right boxes.
Having a pool for them to splash around in is a biggie. But having six pools and an onsite water park you can visit each day takes things to a whole new level.
That's something we soon discovered on our recent trip to Fodele Beach and Water Park Holiday Resort in Crete, where every room has been modernised and a new refurbished pool and terrace area opened earlier this year.
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The award-winning water park is quite literally up a level - the resort is carved into the cliffside overlooking the sea and the slides are at the very top.
Getting there is simple though, either a five-minute uphill walk, or if you can't face that in the heat, there's a land train making regular trips to save your legs.
Either way, it's a far cry from the typical trek you might face getting to a water park, often involving a sweltering taxi or bus journey and queues to get home.
And while it's big, it's not too big to worry about older kids going around it on their own, perhaps if you wanted to stop for a break, or stay with a younger child in the separate pool for under fives.
With a black hole, a kamikaze and a freefall slide among the activities, there's hours of fun to be had for those who do get involved - plus it's got its own larger pool to relax in and a bar, with all drinks and snacks included in your stay.
Of course that's the beauty of all inclusive, knowing that once you're there, you have very little to splash out on.
Whether your child has an insatiable appetite, or you've got a fussy eater on your hands who may not be satisfied with their first choice, it's a godsend. As is the ease of mealtimes too.
Here there is so much choice that you couldn't possibly go hungry - the hardest part is deciding what not to put on your plate.
Basilikos is the main buffet-style restaurant - offering breakfast, lunch and dinner - and it was pretty easy to bag one of the outdoor tables offering incredible views over the Cretan Sea, which we also got to enjoy from our seafront room.
There's something different around every corner, including a Greek-themed buffet each Monday. Anyone staying for at least a week gets to sample the two a la carte restaurants too - Elia offering Cretan cuisine and the Italian delights at Ambrosia.
No matter where we ate, the food was delicious, so much so that our youngest compiled a list of the dishes he'd like to have back in Blighty. It was mostly made up of desserts of course, but given the delights on offer it's hardly surprising.
Despite the vast number of guests - there are 400 rooms in all - the tightly run operation means there's no waiting around for tables and nothing is too much trouble for the friendly staff.
One of the biggest draws to this place is its beachfront location - a private golden sandy beach no less - with sunbeds and umbrellas for hotel guests to use whenever they want, plus a beach bar offering more all inclusive snacks and drinks.
Except for the final day, when we tried and failed to jump the high waves, we mostly enjoyed calm clear waters, with fish swimming around our feet.
But we also made use of the Watersports hut there, which offers everything from pedalos to parasailing.
Our chosen (by the kids) activity was the inflatable sofa, which involved the four of us climbing on and clinging on for dear life while a speedboat pulled us along and bounced us up and down. Thankfully we all stayed put - I'm not sure how - and it was great fun, most definitely a holiday highlight.
In a place like this there's nothing not to love.
It may have opened 30 years ago, but because of the modernisation that's taken place over recent years everything about it feels brand spanking new. And we had everything we could possibly need all in one place.
From the pool and terrace, kept spotlessly clean, to the luxurious walk-in shower in our family room, no expense has been spared in creating a space that's comfortable and welcoming.
It's the little things that make a big difference though, like the fresh towels you get for the pool or beach every single day and the Olivia Thinks toiletry products made from the finest organic Greek olive oil extracts, which did wonders for the dry skin and eczema flare-ups I'm prone to.
I'm sure the fact it was such a relaxing stay had a part to play in that too mind, helped by the queen size bed and the Aperol Spritz on tap no doubt.
When it comes to creating the perfect family holiday, these guys have certainly set the bar high.
As well as the watersports, there's a wide array of other activities including tennis courts, a basketball court, mini golf, a volleyball court, beach football, an archery court and table tennis. There's a games room with pool, space hockey and more, and little ones can enjoy the Kids Club, offering educational activities and creative crafts, and a mini disco which is on six nights a week.
There's also a full programme of evening entertainment, with everything from traditional Greek dancing to shows from the hotel's animation team.
Fodele Beach is 25km west of Heraklion International Airport, Crete. Nightly rates in July and August from £550/night for Family Rooms, with Family Suites from £610/night.
To find out more information, or to book, visit the website.
