Gouves Bay Hotel

Overall, our stay at the hotel was okay, but it left us with mixed feelings. First of all, I would like to highlight the staff. The receptionists were always friendly, helpful, and ready to assist with anything we needed. The rooms were cleaned thoroughly and everything was kept tidy. The restaurant staff were also very efficient and attentive, quickly clearing tables and maintaining cleanliness. We stayed in a large, spacious, renovated family room. However, the bathroom definitely needs updating. Due to the lack of a proper shower screen, water constantly ended up all over the bathroom floor. The shower facilities were outdated, the hairdryer barely worked, and the refrigerator was so noisy, especially at night, that we eventually had to unplug it. Another questionable aspect was the location of the family rooms overlooking the pool and bar, where loud music, competitions, and karaoke continued almost every evening until midnight. Since our group consisted entirely of adults, it didn't bother us too much, but I honestly cannot imagine how families with small children are supposed to sleep in such conditions. The food was tasty, but extremely repetitive. The menu barely changed throughout the week, so we ended up having dinner at nearby restaurants on several evenings just to enjoy something different. We were particularly disappointed with how dietary restrictions were handled. Before check-in, we were asked about allergies. After informing the staff about my friend's lactose intolerance, we were given special red wristbands and assured that alternative food options were available. However, in reality, no alternatives were offered. Some dishes were not even properly labelled to indicate the presence of dairy ingredients. The hotel did not have lactose-free milk available, not even for an additional charge. This raises a reasonable question: what is the purpose of asking guests about allergies and providing special wristbands if their dietary needs cannot actually be accommodated? The bar was also disappointing. During the first few days, ingredients for cocktails were constantly unavailable. The situation improved slightly later on, but the quality of the drinks remained poor. For guests who do not drink alcohol, the options were basically limited to juices and soft drinks. The so-called mocktails were simply mixtures of different juices. Another issue was the excessive use of disposable plastic. Plastic cups were everywhere — in the restaurant, at the bars, and around the pool. Surely, proper glassware could be used in the restaurant, while reusable plastic cups would be a much better option around the pool. This would significantly reduce plastic waste. By the evening, used cups were often scattered all around the pool area, leaving the cleaning staff to collect them. Some of the sun loungers around the pool were also in very poor condition and clearly need replacing. The entertainment was practically nonexistent. During the day, it mostly consisted of loud music playing by the pool. Throughout our seven-day stay, we repeatedly heard about a fire show, but it never actually took place. One evening with a live band was genuinely enjoyable, but the rest of the entertainment mainly consisted of karaoke and two paid bingo nights. There were also hardly any organised activities for children, despite the large number of families with young kids staying at the hotel. Finally, there was one particularly unpleasant incident that seriously affected my overall impression. On our last evening, russian songs were played and there were chants in support of russia.This was a major red flag for me and significantly spoiled the overall experience. To sum up, I would once again like to thank the hotel staff for their friendliness, professionalism, and hard work. They were genuinely one of the best things about this hotel. However, the condition of the facilities, food variety, bar service, entertainment, and attention to guests' individual needs all require significant improvement.

Here’s a strong English version. Make sure it reflects your actual experience. I would not recommend this hotel to anyone. My stay was extremely disappointing from start to finish. The room was outdated, poorly maintained, and not properly cleaned. The bathroom was unhygienic, and the overall condition of the room was far below what was advertised. The food was one of the biggest disappointments. There was very little variety, the same dishes were served almost every day, and most of the meals were lukewarm and lacked flavor. It certainly did not meet the standard you would expect from a hotel. The staff were unfriendly and seemed uninterested in helping guests. Any concerns or complaints were either ignored or handled without any effort to solve the problem. The cleanliness of the common areas was also poor, making the entire hotel feel neglected. The photos online give a completely misleading impression compared to the reality. Overall, this was one of the worst hotel experiences I have ever had. I regret booking this hotel and would definitely not stay here again. Save your money and choose a different place if you want to enjoy your vacation in Crete.

We had an amazing week at Gouves Bay Hotel! The atmosphere was fantastic from start to finish, and the whole team helped make our stay truly memorable. A huge thank you to the entertainment team, especially Milou and Lion, who are absolutely outstanding. They are always smiling, full of energy, and know exactly how to create a fun and friendly atmosphere. They made every day enjoyable and unforgettable. A big shout-out as well to all the bartenders, who were incredibly friendly, welcoming, and always in a great mood. Special mention to Dionysis, our favorite bartender! His kindness, professionalism, and sense of humor made every visit to the bar a pleasure. He is a real asset to the hotel and helped make our holiday even more special. The only small downside was the bathroom, especially the shower, which was much too small. Apart from that, everything was perfect. We leave with wonderful memories and would highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a fun and relaxing holiday. Thank you to the entire team for an unforgettable week! ☀️🍹🏖️😊

We are currently still staying at this hotel for a total of 9 nights, travelling with our 6-month-old baby, and our experience so far has been very positive. The hotel is exactly what you would expect from a typical Greek 4-star property—comfortable and welcoming. One of the standout aspects of this hotel is how accommodating they are for families. They were able to provide a cot for our baby, and the staff have truly gone above and beyond to support us. As we’ve just started introducing solids, the kitchen kindly prepared simple meals like blended carrots with no salt specifically for our baby, which we really appreciated. Both the reception and restaurant staff are incredibly friendly and always willing to help with a smile, creating a very relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The food has been consistently good—warm, tasty, and with a nice variety that changes every evening, which keeps things interesting during a longer stay. Another great advantage is the hotel’s location, with very close proximity to the sea.