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Average temperatures

	day	night
July	+32 °C	+25 °C
August	+32 °C	+26 °C
September	+30 °C	+24 °C
October	+26 °C	+21 °C
November	+23 °C	+18 °C
December	+20 °C	+14 °C

175 USD

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Aelius Hotel & Spa in Kato Gouves

🌍

● Center: 2.4 km

🌞 Beach - 9 min

☎ Phone: +30 2897 041101Show

✅ Guests appreciated the private pools in some rooms, describing them as a refreshing way to start the day even in cooler months. ✅ The hotel staff receive frequent praise for friendliness and helpfulness, with specific mentions of pool bar and restaurant employees. ✅ The variety and freshness of food, especially buffet options with salads and fruit, are highlighted positively by many guests. ✅ Entertainment programs, including karaoke and dance activities, are generally enjoyed and create a lively atmosphere. ✅ The cleanliness of rooms and hotel grounds is regularly commended. ✅ The hotel offers good facilities for families, including multiple pools and a kids’ club. ❌ Some guests found the food repetitive and occasionally lukewarm, with limited seafood options and occasional issues with quality. ❌ Noise near the main pool area and evening entertainment can disturb guests in adjacent rooms, especially late into the night. ❌ Wi-Fi coverage was reported as patchy in some rooms and pool areas, causing inconvenience for some travelers. ❌ Issues with shuttle service reliability to the beach were noted, including missed pick-ups. ❌ A few guests mentioned maintenance issues such as slow-draining showers, shower door problems, and occasional flooding in bathrooms. ❌ Some guests experienced less friendly service from evening staff compared to daytime reception.

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Rooms and prices

2 guests

Adults−2+

Children under 17−0+

Age−7+

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Standard Double room

Wireless internet, air conditioning and private bathroom

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Standard Single room

Private bathroom

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Premium Double room

Wireless internet, air conditioning and private bathroom

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Deluxe Double room

Wireless internet, air conditioning and private bathroom

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Executive Double room

Wireless internet, air conditioning and private bathroom

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Standard room

Wireless internet, shower and private bathroom

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Family Quadruple room

Private bathroom

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Double Junior Suite

Private bathroom

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Superior with Individual Pool Double room

Wireless internet, air conditioning and private bathroom

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Standard Triple room

Private bathroom

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Standard with Individual Pool Double room

Wireless internet, air conditioning and private bathroom

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Deluxe Triple room

Private bathroom

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Premium Triple room

Private bathroom

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More rooms

Description

Aelius Hotel & Spa is a four-star property located in Kato Gouves, offering 200 spacious and bright rooms across a complex of buildings. Built in 1985 and renovated in 2020, the hotel combines comfortable accommodation with a range of facilities including three outdoor freshwater pools, one heated indoor pool (open in April and October), a spa center, fitness center, and various leisure activities like darts, table tennis, and tennis courts nearby. Families will appreciate the children's facilities such as two kids' pools, a playground, a kids’ club for ages 4–12, and free baby bottle warmers and sterilizers on request. Dining options include a main buffet restaurant and an a la carte restaurant with Cretan specialties available by reservation. The hotel offers an all-inclusive package with drinks served in glasses by waiters, and a shuttle bus to the beach at no extra cost. Friendly and attentive staff are frequently praised in guest reviews, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere.

Location

The hotel is situated in the resort town of Kato Gouves, 600 meters from a public sand and pebble beach, accessible via a free shuttle bus on a set schedule. It lies 14 km from Heraklion International Airport (Nikos Kazantzakis Airport), making transfers relatively short. A bus stop is conveniently located 150 meters from the hotel, providing affordable connections to nearby towns like Heraklion (25 minutes) and Hersonissos (15 minutes). Local amenities include a cafe just 49 meters away and a pizzeria 230 meters from the property, both highly rated. Guests can explore the small village or rent a car nearby to visit attractions further afield.

Tips

Book early if you want a room with a private pool or swim-up access, as these are popular and highly rated by guests.
Take advantage of the free shuttle to the beach but confirm pick-up times to avoid waiting or walking back.
Consider renting a car nearby to explore more of Crete affordably, as taxis to main towns can be costly.

Policies and conditions

Child policies: Children can stay in some rooms of this hotel. Additional fees may be charged for children using existing beds. Add the number of children to get a more accurate price.
Cribs and Extra Beds: Extra bed and crib policies may vary according to room type. Please refer to the room type details for more information.
Breakfast: Option: Buffet Opening hours: [Mon - Sun] 07:30-10:30 Open Contact the property to see if extra breakfast is available. If so, you can pay for it at the property.
Pets: Pets are allowed
Service animals: Service animals are allowed
Age Requirements: The main guest checking in must be at least 18 years old
Paying at the hotel: AmericanExpress, Visa, MasterCard
Check in time: 14:00. Check out time: 12:00.

2 guests

Adults−2+

Children under 17−0+

Age−7+

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Services and facilities

General

ATM
Shopping on site
Air conditioning
24-hour reception
Elevator/lift
Currency exchange
Smoke-free property
Heating
Ticket assistance
Gift shop
Express check-in/check-out
Garden
Television in lobby
Terrace
Fire Extinguisher
Outdoor furniture

Rooms

Non-smoking rooms
Room service
Fridge
Family room
Smoke Detector
Cable TV
Hairdryer
Bathtub
Shower
Wardrobe/Closet
Alarm clock
Mosquito net
Toiletries

Accessibility

Accessibility features
Wheelchair Accessible
Wheelchair access to restaurant

Services and amenities

Ironing
Laundry
Safe-deposit box
Concierge services
Dry-cleaning
Luggage storage
Wake-up service
Telephone

Meals

Bar
Coffee/tea for guests
Diet menu (on request)
Breakfast
Buffet breakfast
Breakfast in the room
Cafe
Restaurant
Restaurant (buffet style)
Snack bar
Kitchen
Packed Lunches
Bottled water
Kettle

Internet

Wi-Fi
Internet

Transfer

Airport transportation
Car rental
Transfer services

Languages Spoken

German
English
Italian
French
Multi-language staff

Tourist services

Tour assistance

Recreation

Library
Bike rental
Billiards
Karaoke
Entertainment
Sun Deck
Ping-Pong

Parking

Parking
Free parking nearby
Free Parking on Premises
Garage

Pool and beach

Swimming pool
Indoor Pool
Outdoor pool
Beach facilities
Seasonal indoor swimming pool
Water sport facilities
Pool facilities
Beach/pool towels
Next to the beach
Transfer to the beach (free)

Business

Fax and copy machine
Conference Hall

Sports

Darts
Table Tennis
Tennis court
Fitness facilities

Beauty and wellness

Massage
Steam room
Beauty services
Sauna
Spa
First Aid Kit

Kids

Playroom
Babysitting and childcare
Children's playground
Children swimming pool
Family/Kid Friendly
Kids club

The hotel is located on third line from the shore.

From the beach 9 min. The beach is public, sand and peeble.

Street view

Video: Aelius Hotel and Spa, Hersonissos, Greece | Travel With Navya

Map

Reviews

Cleanliness

Amenities

Location

Service

19.04.2026 Guest

Hotel is great we had a private pool, in April quite chilly, but we decided to use it as a plunge pool every morning to feel refreshed for the day ahead and it was great, later on in the day was ok but we found more was happening round the main pool. Entertainment in the evenings is ok some better than others but all good fun. The staff are great here everyone very friendly, Sypro’s at the pool bar looked after us really well and went over and above and made the best cocktails! Thank you! Also the lady at breakfast with red and black braids she was very cheerful every morning always in high spirits. We went half board which was good we were happy because they said we can swap evening meal for lunch which worked for us as we like to eat out in different places in the evening. There isn’t that much going on in the town/village but we started off getting taxis to the main places but then rented a car from across the hotel for €130 for 5 days which saved us lots of money, as it’s around €25 each way to get to an from the main towns near by. Hotel is good food, good variety with all all inclusive hotel food it’s a little samey but I can’t complain. We didn’t manage to make it but the Greek night at knossos in the village looked and sounded great, we went on a normal night and the owners were so welcoming so give that ago. Cretan blue restaurant is amazing too but a 25 minute drive away. Another place to try is peskesi watch the YouTube video on it, it shows what it’s all about and the food was some of the best we tried, we didn’t drink but starter, main and two sides with a bottle of water and beer came to €50 euros. One other point is a lot of restaurants give you free dessert ( well everywhere we went) and they are unreal Cretan cheese cake is to die for. So bear in mind. Happy holidays people! :)

17.04.2026 Guest

This hotel is absolutely gorgeous. The staff have been extremely accommodating and so kind. The food and drinks are fabulous. The rooms and decoration is so aesthetic and clean. Entertainment has been so fun and inclusive of guests. Getting everyone up on their feet dancing. The location is beautiful not far from the beach at all.

04.01.2026 El

absolutely brilliant hotel - such a good location with about a 10 minute walk to the local town which has a lot of restaurants and shops along the seafront/beach. close to a family run supermarket and laundrette and also the bus stop which is super handy to travel to Heraklion (25 minutes) and Hersonissos (15mins), costs around 2/3 Euros each way. Hotel itself is kept so clean, food is great. the room exceeded my expectations and the pool was lovely (albeit chilly but it is october!). no issues about getting a sunbed around the pool which was nice. we were half board so were aware we would be charged anything outside of breakfast and dinner but was also nice to take a walk to the local area and try other food spots. highly highly recommend this hotel!

13.11.2025 Guest

i arrived at this hotel with my friend late on a sunday and we were seen promptly and was given a bottle of water upon arrivial. my friend and i booked to seperate rooms and were unfortuanely seperated, we did request for rooms next to each other but was informed that there was none avalible. i will say the staff are very accomondating with request the food here is average but everything at dinner is kept clean the hot food is kept covered which is good. the rooms are nice and the beds are comfortable but the surrounding areas are quite noisy. There is a shop that is right next to the hotel which is good but it likes to overcharge you so you are better of going to the supermarkets which is a 10 minute walk away. there is a shuttle that you can take there and back to the beach but unforunatley, the driver for the shuttle forgot to pick us up which i found a bit strange how you can drop guests off and forgot to pick them up so had to walk back to the hotel :(. i had a late flight and when my friend and i asked for a late checkout we were orinally told no but when asked afternoo desk staff they are more accomondating then the evening staff. unfortunately only 1 room was allowed to have late checkout because they had a large group coming. The hotel has showers avalible to use which are nice especially if you can have a late check out. i would stay here again all in all.

12.11.2025 Kyrell

This holiday was very amazing despite missing the season it was very good. The food, the people, the weather and everything was outstanding. Definitely coming back again and the place is really nice and friendly, I felt safe all the time.

05.11.2025 Radek

It exceeded our expectation. We were here in November with half board. Breakfast and dinners were rich and there was wide range of delicious food (meats, salads, desserts, ice creams). Staff was very friendly and Check in was comfortable. Room was little bit smaller, shower water drains slower but generally modern and comfortable. We used outdoor/indoor pool and gym without any trouble. In the evening hotel arranged some entertainment for the guests ( even in November). Our booking was trough german travel agency.

04.11.2025 Abimbola

The food was ok. The staff were not as friendly and there were loads of cats around the hotel which was not ideal considering that my friend is allaergic to cats. The cats were inside the hotel and even in the dining area (so during both breakfast and dinner, they were always in the room).

03.11.2025 Tom

We loved our stay at the Aelius and have been recommending it to friends and family wanting to explore Crete.
We came in October 2024 and had one of the rooms with the rooftop Jacuzzi - the value for money is incredible, the rooms are great and the rooftop area is brilliant. We'd have liked the shower to be a little better kept and the jacuzzi was cold one a couple of occasions, but really we're struggling to pick holes in an otherwise excellent stay - the jacuzzi does warm up quickly.
The food was fantastic, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, Cretan Corner was a hit. Kritamos is unmissable for dinner and breakfast.
While maybe on the pricey side, we had a great time in the spa, getting one of the best massage treatments we've had.
The location suited us well, the bus to Heraklion or further west is a 2 minute walk, but some may find the isolated position less useful.
The staff didn't miss a beat - from the young lady in the Sensus pool bar who helped me practice my Greek, to the housekeepers to the servers in the restaurants. It does get busy, but they really try to make you feel welcome and looked after.
Finally, I'd asked the hotel manager for help proposing to my girlfriend, and she coordinated an amazing rooftop setup, taking into account our preferences and making sure everything went smoothly.
We look forward to coming back to the Aelius to mark the anniversary of our engagement soon!

02.11.2025 Guest

Spent a few nights at the Aelius Hotel in Gouves at the end of the summer season. The resort itself was very quiet but the hotel itself was quite lively and had a programme of entertainment for the guests which is just as well as most of the entertainment in the bars and restaurants around Gouves had stopped for the season. Special well done to Michael on the karaoke at the hotel who got the guests involved which is no easy task when you have a collection of guests from England, Germany, France and Italy and need to cut through the language barriers. Top job.

07.10.2025 Rachel

The staff at the hotel are amazing, so friendly and helpful, very attentive. The spa team can be a little pushy, but if you politely decline a few times, they'll leave you be, and the spa services are good, so maybe give them a listen.

The rooms are a little dated, but the beds are comfy, the air-con works, and the balcony is a nice option. They are cleaned daily too. If you can, book a room away from the main pool, evening entertainment goes on til after 11pm and many guests stay after drinking and chatting, which you can hear.

There are lots of sunbeds around both pools, and you can't reserve them, so there's no early morning fight to find one. You can get drinks served poolside, but it's just as easy to go to the poolside bar (and you might get extra Ouzo if you do). The pool isn't heated from May so can be a shock to the system, but by late afternoon, you're glad of the refreshing dip.

The restaurants are where the real problem is. You can only book the Kritamos restaurant once during your stay, and it's not open every night, so book when you first arrive for an evening you want. The main Erontas restaurant is not good at all. The food isn't very varied so you eat the same thing all day, every day. It's really hard to get drinks served whilst you are eating, so take a bottle of water. Unfortunately, I also got food poisoning on the penultimate night. The food had been making me feel unwell all week, but I'd recommend staying away from the seafood, which I think was the culprit.

Whilst being all inclusive was handy for the drinks, I'd recommend eating offsite as much as possible if you want authentic Cretan food, varied meals, or to avoid food poisoning - I know many guests suffered whilst we were there. I wouldn't return unless updates have been made to the rooms and restaurants, which is a shame because as I said, the staff are amazing.

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POIs near hotel

Агенство экскурсий "Иван Сусанин" (60 min)

Cafe and Restaurants near hotel

Cafe «Pita Pita» (1 min)

Kato Gouves 700 14

Restaurant «Memories Pizzeria» (3 min)

Kato Gouves 700 14

Frequently asked questions about Aelius Hotel & Spa

Does Aelius Hotel & Spa provide facilities and activities for children?

Yes, the hotel offers two freshwater children's pools, a kids' club for ages 4–12 operating 4 hours daily, an outdoor playground, baby bottle warmers and sterilizers on request, and children's high chairs in the restaurant.

Is there a shuttle service to the beach?

Yes, there is a free scheduled shuttle bus to the public beach 600 meters away.

Are pets allowed at Aelius Hotel & Spa?

Pets are allowed at the hotel on request, with a weight limit of up to 5 kg.

What dining options are available on the all-inclusive plan?

All-inclusive guests can dine at the main buffet restaurant with drinks served in glasses by waiters. The a la carte restaurant offers breakfast and dinner by reservation for an extra charge.

How far is the hotel from Heraklion International Airport?

The hotel is located 14 km from Heraklion International Airport (Nikos Kazantzakis Airport).

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Hotel prices for: July - August 2026 calendar

The average hotel price this month is 267 USD The best time to book is July 24, with rates starting from 185 USD

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