Who says luxury and babies don't mix? A short break in Elounda is just the tonic for tired parents
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The butterflies are palpable. The last time I felt this nervy was ten years ago as I was about to leap from a very tall bridge on a cord of elastic.
But this time, I'm doing something a lot lower-octane. I'm taking my baby on an aeroplane – and on a foreign holiday for the first time.
Before this, I freely admit to finding yelping children a drag on planes. I know, hypocrisy is an ugly trait. Now, with an eleven month in tow I dread the sighs and sideways glances of other passengers when my wriggly tot decides to test his lung capacity with a scream-athon at 37,000 feet.
Elounda Bay Palace: Friendly staff, a baby-friendly beach and a great choice of restaurants
Room with a view: The Elounda Bay Beach Palace resort in Northern Crete as seen from Emily's balcony
Luckily, other people are nicer than me. Especially the kind lady next to us, who my son decides to use as a human bouncy castle whenever the seatbelt signs are off.
We're heading to a resort in Elounda, North West Crete, for an escape from loading the dishwasher, burning fish fingers and evenings that end at 7pm.
The whole idea is that everything will be easy.
The Elounda Bay Beach Palace and her elder, slightly more exclusive sister Elounda Beach are the kind of resorts where however busy, they're calm. A child's screech is gently muffled by the cool ocean breeze, meals are served by waiters with saintly patience, everything runs smoothly.
A perfect resort: Elounda Bay Palace and her slightly more exclusive sister Elounda Beach pictured from above
Easy family fun: Emily picture with her partner, Richard and their son at Elounda Bay Palace in Crete
The staff are unfathomably friendly, and everyone wants to chat to my son, even when he prods their noses or takes a fancy to their spectacles.
The rooms – some with gardens, some with balconies, all overlooking the serene pool and out to a wonderfully calm bay of azure waters – are suitably plush. Indeed, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mariah Carey and Pedro Almodovar, who called his week here 'a dream', have all rested their heads here (in separate beds I presume).
We stay in a Deluxe Sea View suite, which has an enormous bed, room for a light smattering of toys, a huge whirlpool bath and a sun trap balcony (which will be very handy for catching some sneaky nap-time rays).
A Deluxe sea view room: Enormous beds and plenty of space for a couple and a baby
First things first, we head to the kid's pool, a lovely assortment of mini-slides and squirty tubes where my son frowns a lot and a friendly Greek man, playing with his daughter, tells me sternly 'holidays will never be the same again'.
In a way he is right. My partner and I decide the best way to ensure ultimate zen – in addition to not wanting to keep the baby out in the sun too much - is to rotate. All three of us lounge in the shade by the pool, then one of us in the sun by the beach while the other takes the boy in for a cool off.
The shape and size of the resort makes this entirely possible. The beach: a calm, perfectly child-friendly beach, is a teddy's throw from the pool area and our room. So no long treks or tantrums (from parents or baby).
Idyllic: Elounda in Northern Greece is a perfect spot for a family holiday
Taking my boy for his first paddle in the sea, during which he smiles and whoops with delight is priceless.
My first solo sea dip is also momentous. It feels like an eternity since I've walked, empty-armed, along the sand, tickling the surf with my toes and taking the plunge into slightly-too-cold but so soothing water. I bob with my toes sticking out while the evening sun makes everything look like a film.
Meal times are a doddle, as all seven of the restaurants have high chairs, there are nipper-friendly menus and Greek food proves a hit with everyone.
One night we even splash out on the hotel's baby-sitting service (a marvellous lady who managed to make the lad laugh within thirty seconds of meeting him) so we can treat ourselves to a romantic meal on our last night.
At the Thalassa restaurant, our table is perched over the sea, and we're serenaded by a beautiful singer who croons everything from The Ronettes to Pharrell Williams. It's been a while, but we manage a full conversation without the temptation to nod off.
Holidays will never be the same again, our friend by the pool was right. I think they might just be better.
Travel Facts
Rooms at Elounda Bay are from 204 Euros per night
See www.eloundabay.gr
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