Gouves Water Park Holiday Resort

We recently returned from a wonderful family holiday at the Gouves Waterpark Holiday Resort and had a brilliant time! Traveling as a group of three adults and two children, we found the resort offered something for everyone, making it a great choice for families. The food is what you would expect from an all inclusive hotel, something for everyone. We really enjoyed the pizza, gyros, burgers and ice cream served at the kiosks during the day. We also had a fantastic meal at the Asian à la carte restaurant, which was a nice change from the main buffet restaurant. ​The waterpark itself was good, offering plenty of fun and slides for all ages. What really stood out was the exceptional pool access: there are lots of swimming pools dotted around the resort, and despite it being a busy time, we never struggled to find a sun lounger. This made relaxing by the pool stress-free. ​My boys (14 and 11) enjoyed getting involved in things like water polo, table tennis, darts, and football. It gave them great options to stay active and entertained throughout the day. ​ ​The staff were very friendly and made our stay incredibly welcoming and smooth. We were also impressed by how immaculate the entire place was. The resort, rooms, and communal areas were spotless and clearly well-maintained. ​We highly recommend the Gouves Waterpark Holiday Resort for families looking for a clean, friendly, all-inclusive experience in Crete, with the added benefit of excellent pools and sun lounger access and a great range of activities for kids and teens.

Positives - Good variety of pools with a brilliant splash park and decent water slides. Room was nice, family room split into two so private bedroom from the kids and a nice balcony. Gyros and pizza from the poolside cafe were excellent. And the wine and beer were very drinkable. Didn’t try many cocktails but the limoncello spritz were also very nice. General facilities were all very nice and clean. Beach is only 300 metres away. Negatives- The only heated pool is one of the smallest and hence it was very busy, and difficult to get sun loungers anywhere near. The buffet food was very hit and miss, a lot of it was Luke warm and tasted very mass produced and samey. The buffet was also extremely busy, by the time you’d queued to get round everything and queued for drinks and actually sat down to eat the food was cold. The noise of screeching chairs was also unbearable. My main complaint however was the kids club. You could leave your kids there if you filled out a form and left your phone number. There was also a very clear section of the form asking if your child is allowed to leave kids club without a parent, to which we ticked the “NO” box. Upon returning to collect my daughter I found her out of the kids club and in the swimming pool! She had asked to leave and instead of phoning us they had walked her to the pool to find us (we weren’t there), but she pointed out people she recognized, who also said “yes we’ll look after her”. We only met these people on that holiday and did not know them well at all. The kids club staff should NEVER have left her in the care of, for all intents and purposes, strangers. I find it totally unacceptable that they would do this instead of making sure either her mum or dad were there to look after her. It’s a safety issue and anything could have happened to her.

We have just returned from a lovely week in Gouves water park resort it is a Great hotel for families, plenty of pools. There are quiet pools if you want dotted around the resort. And there’s the pool with large slides, there’s a large splash park, then you have a toddler splash park. Caters for all ages. Admittedly they were a little on the cold side, but so refreshing once you’re in. We went with our 2 grandkids and their parents. We all thoroughly enjoyed our week here. Rooms were a good size, either with a balcony or patio area, towels changed daily. I know the fridges weren’t always restocked daily, but it’s all inclusive,so can get drinks or get bottles refilled. The whole place was kept very clean. Please do not take notice of any negative reviews, especially about the food. There was so much choice in the buffet for breakfast aswell as evening meal. They have a different themed night every night, so food is varied. We all ate very well and enjoyed the food, kids loved it! Yes maybe the food is not so hot after getting it, walking around to get more then walking back to your seat, but would be the same if you did this at home!!!!! Lunch from the snack bar choice of good burgers, gyros and pizzas and of course ice creams throughout the day. Drinks, like a lot of AI hotels not branded, but cocktails were ok and drinkable, beer was fine too. All staff brilliant and so friendly. The beach was only a ten minute walk away, and was lovely. Two Sunbeds , parasol and table €10 per day, good price. We didn’t see a lot of the entertainment, but the acrobats were brilliant. The village is only a short walk away, about 15 mins, with lovely bars and restaurants and shops. I know it was the end of the season, but we never had a problem finding sunbeds or somewhere to sit of an evening. There’s a room to store luggage with lockers and showers, for anyone with later flight, which was brilliant. Please don’t hesitate to book, especially for families.

We have had a wonderful holiday all the staff have been exceptional. I was poorly the first 2 days and got checked on by the caring restaurant staff especially Miriata & the reception team were so helpful with directions to the chemist and other requests. Today my daughter & I enjoyed the Aefeo Spa; Lediana gave my daughter the strawberry 🍓 massage 💆‍♀️ who loved inbetween giggles! Plus my partner a handsome haircut 💇‍♂️ I had an incredible treatment with Erieta who managed to work on my knots & feel 10 years younger with the ice 🧊 facial 😘 The bar staff have looked after us especially Nasia, Eleonora & Dimitris always with a welcome smile 😃 yamos 🙏

Fabulous holiday at Gouves waterpark.we visited near the end of the season and the place was still great not tired or worn. Highly recommend a full body massage with Albora.

I read a lot of reviews before going on this trip so can address the accuracy of these in turn: - Room. (3005)Interconnecting ‘family room’ good for family . Was very basic- expect 2 -3 star level. We did have mousiquitos so take spray and I saw 2 cockroaches on our patio and had a request from wife to get rid of another one in the bathroom at 3am. Not the way to spend a holiday. Floors were not sufficiently clean. Toilet seat wouldn’t stay up, flush a bit intermittent. - food was cold: It was… only hot dish I had all week was from Al la carte Japanese. By the way the Al la care Greek they serve you a spread (not that hot and not really Al la carte. Nice but not that hot. Also the Al la care restaurant is one not 2 , just different menu so those hoping this offers more variety will be a little disappointed. Wasn’t really service with a smile from all staff either. Buffer- Could definitely put together a good salad / cold food plate with Greek / med bias so had to be selective. Buffet - Cold food- lots of salads . Lots of people, a bit stressful experience with young kids. Horrible to see the child abuse of obese young kids piling plates with fries, pizza , chocolate sauce and cakes. Greek red on tap - yes it’s cold but in a lot of European countries tgat is std, even in a bottle. Was surprising drinkable. Ice cream / expresso bar- tip- order an affogato! Cocktails- Aperol spritz was varyingly good depending who made it. Processo used is 7% alc so more like baby Cham but hey fine in the sun and good for x2. Negroni ordered was superstring and undrinkable, nothing like a cocktail bar negroni. Beer- seemed to go flat instantly. Maybe watered down. Taste fine. Surcharge- was told Jameson’s was extra. Famous grouse wasn’t. Entertainment: both bands booked were very decent. Sound was good and even in room opposite bar didn’t disturb children. Karaoke typically terrible. Think there was a magic show night which we didn’t go to. Lots of arcade stuff around for children but we didn’t use. Table tennis equipment available from bar for a deposit. Pools- good variety for variety of ages. Poisenden pool should be heated as well as main pool as targeted for young children. Our kids loved it and had a lot of fun. Beach- Sandy , very close and great for 1/2 day visit if you want to get hostel food. We went twice. Sea lovely and clear. Flights - Jet2 kept lights on on return night flight to pedal constant goods and services. We will never do a jet 2 night flight again . Crete Airport constant queues. All inclusive- overall cheapens the experience but can make a bit easier with young children . Lots of obsessed families from uk and feeders with plates piled high. What helped here was having zorbas Greek gyros and pizzzerea . Both good at lunch (just get some pots of salad from buffet in a cup to complete your ‘kebab’) . This then makes buffet slightly less routine and allows you to stay in pool area. Would I return - no. Did we have a good break overall and not pay much- yes. But 5 star reviewers must have no standards .

Lovely trip away with family, great facilities, food, friendly staff. Kids loved the slides and pools. Really nice spa facilities ! Topped off the trip with fantastic massage from karolina

Honest review! I thought this complex was great! Really good layout. lots of different pools to choose from. Infant splash park,older kids splash park and of course the slides. Also some lovely quieter pools and areas my fave being the lovely day beds. We really liked the food, so much to choose from i don't understand when it gets negative reviews? Breakfast great ! my go to was greek yogurt with honey, Chopped nuts and chia seeds, two hash browns( lovely and crispy) and nutella pancakes( diet incoming) Lunch great burgers, pizza or gyros from the snack bars or eat in the restaurant. Evening, main restaurant pizza /pasta station, kids buffet, salad bar plus lots of hot food generally changes each night had mexican and chinese night to name a few. Ate at the Asian restaurant Which was lovely. We have had a really nice week. Only negatives is the cheap coke is gross.

Karolina was absolutely amazing! From the moment I arrived, she made me feel completely comfortable and at ease. Her warm and friendly personality created a relaxing atmosphere, and her professional approach was outstanding. The massage itself was fantastic — she knew exactly how to work out all the tension and made sure the pressure was just right throughout. I left feeling refreshed, relaxed, and completely renewed. Karolina clearly takes pride in what she does, and it shows in every detail of her work. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a truly excellent massage experience.

Avoid this hotel and spend your money elsewhere. More like a 3* star hotel, food was often inedible. The pools were freezing cold and the entertainment was awful. Rooms were basic (family suite), no shower screen so our toddler was slipping over constantly. The hotel charges you the 5* tourist tax rate on check-in which is laughable. I definitely do not recommend this hotel.