Rena Apartments

We booked these apartments but they were over booked so we stayed next door, so cannot actually comment on the actual apartments, however the lady who owns the apartments was very kind. We used her pool every day and had her full breakfast for 5 euros on most days. The people across the road at the All inclusive were coming over to eat the breakfast too even though theirs was free. She was very polite and kind to us giving us free cups of tea and coffee and she did phone for us when we had to arrange the transfer back. The apartments are situated in a very pretty location however they are a little far from the beach. Put your walking shoes on or catch a bus. I think the best bet would be to hire a car which can be as little as 30 euros a day so in retrospect we should have done this.

We are traveling through Greece at the moment, but wanted to leave a positive review for The Rena Apartments. My husband and I stayed a total of 7 days and while we were there Rena and Dena took very good care of us. The entire family was nice and helpful when WE asked for anything we needed. This is a budget hotel, but the hospitality is wonderful as long as you give them a chance. You can also go to my blogspot on Crete for any further photos or information.
http://piecesofcrete.blogspot.com/
L and E

We didn't actually stay at the Rena Apartments but we were in there virtually every day of our 10 day holiday.
Rena (the owner) is such a lovely lady who will do anything to help you
we stayed over the road, but when we went into the shop (at the front of the apartments) as our daughter had a insect bit on her eye lid for some cream, when she didn't have any she spoke to her husband and her husband took us to the local chemist and back again.
Rena always greated holidaymakers with a smile and lots of guests from where we were staying went there to eat
We ate there on several occasions (even though we were all inclusive) and her food is lovely - well worth the wait
If you staying at the Rena Apartments (or nearby) you must try her English Breakfast - everything you can think of for 5 euro's x

Myself and my two sisters have just returned from a week at Rena Apartments in Gouves. We wanted a cheap holiday to get some sun and also see some sights, however we ended up paying more than we wanted but understood this was due to it being peak season.
We arrived at the apartments at 2.30am after our transfer and Rena said she did not know we were coming. After being awake the night and just wanting to sleep, she said we had to wait to find out which apartment we would stay in. Eventually she came back and told us that our apartment had not been cleaned, so we could either stay in it and they clean it the next day (whilst living in other peoples mess that night) or we stay in another apartment and then move the following day once ours had been cleaned. However, this apartment was also a mess with shampoo bottles lying around - we believed someone must have been living in it. So we opted to stay in the apartment which was supposed to be ours that was all dirty. It was hard enough to get them to provide us with clean sheets to sleep in and then they made us make the beds when really this should have all been done way before we arrived!!!!!!
The next day the cleaner, Deena, came to 'clean' our apartment, however her idea of cleaning was getting rid of some of (not all of) the rubbish that was left from previous people and emptying the bin. We did not even get towels and had to ask for some, which she eventually gave us, but we ended up having to share two towels for the three of us because the third was so small it wouldn't even cover anything!!!! They did not change these towels during the week.
We are students, and have been travelling so are very used to 'roughing it' however we have never been in a place that doesn't provide loo roll and their idea of cleaning is once in the whole week when she just emptied the bin, no sweeping or anything. No air con was available, instead a fan was in the apartment however this had dust all in it and if we were to turn it on I imagined it would spray out a load of dust and dirt all over the room/us. My pillow was basically just a load of cotton wool balls put into a case and was all yellow - I have had much better accommodation staying in a £3 a night hostel in asia!!!!!
The pool was nice enough, however there were not enough sun beds for the amount of people who could be staying in the accommodation - I counted 20 sunbeds for around 76 people, 4 of these sunbeds were broken anyway.
We had to confirm our transfer for our return to the airport by phone and although there were two pay phones in the apartments, we couldn't get them to work. We asked Rena to help, she hit the phone and then said no it doesn't work - great help! Following this, our flight on the way home wasn't until 1.40am, we were made to leave our apartment by 12pm and when asking Rena where we could change and shower after the day she said our shower is broken - so we had to resort to no shower and luckily a kind guest let us use his room to change in, otherwise we would have been baring all to the rest of the guests.
Gouves itself does not have much to do - the beach isn't very pretty but the sea is lovely and warm and very clear and clean. There are numerous restaurants (go to the Island restaurant with the parrot, that was lovely) but not much else. We ventured to Agios Nikolaos for the day on the local bus which cost 15.60 euros for three people one way - a lot more than we expected. But it was pretty there. I think it is probably best to hire a car, although their roads are a bit crazy!
Would I recommend Rena Apartments to a friend? NO! Rena and the cleaner Deena were not friendly despite what other reviews have said and they did NOT try to make our stay comfortable from the moment we got there. We found them rude and very unhelpful. If you're looking for a nice resort to stay in, try Bitez or Side in Turkey - much better value for money and far far better than these apartments and staff!
Tips for those who have booked:
* bring your own broom - it won't be swept otherwise
* bring your own loo roll - they don't provide it!!!!!!!!!!!

We just come back from Crete,we stay in Rena Apartments and we didn't like it,becouse the apartments are far away from the beach apr 20-30 minutes walk,you need to have some transport if you want to go to the center .The room were not what we expected the cleaning lady didn't clean she was going in the room evry time when we were out,to just check something,it was very odd experiance when we had to ask for clean towels and toilet paper.The owner Rena was very rude and very unprofesional.We don't recomend Rena apartments.

4 readers found this review helpful

Booked very short notice read some poor reviews and expected the worst. We arrived at 12.30 pm were greeted by michael the barman and told there was no room at the inn. Apparently double booked we were put up in a nearby hotel .
Next day i went to explore the hotel to find it totally empty apart from the elderly owners who were helpful enough though the whole sense of a business in decline was so sad. after two nights we were able to go to the Rena Apartments we were greeted as though nothing had happened which was a little annoying , i am normally quick to fire off but thought i would make the best of it. The room was large with a good sized balcony but basic though clean. Never one to stay around the accomodayion we went out everyday with much interest from Rena and Deena who saw every movement around the place but we came back on an evening and had a drink or three before going out again to eat. Over the following eight days we had a really good time at the apartments Rena was very charming and friendly Deena was over the top but funny and interesting all at the same time some loveley people staying there and very friendly atmosphere. Gouves old town worth a visit though quite a walk Spiros restaurant traditional Greek Taverna good food there worth a visit Island restaurant on beach ok Buses very cheap way to get around island Hersonnisos Malia, Iraklion all worth a visit. Obvious that the local economy is struggling but the people are friendly still the prices are high though i would visit Rena Apts again but might be a while yet.Lots of stray dogs around we spent age s feeding and watering local animal rescue a total waste of time took a week to respond to email and then were unable or unwilling to help

Me and my friend stayed in the Rena appartments july 2010 and on our arrival we were greeted by mike the night barman, we were shown our room, it was nice and clean. the next day we sat by the pool and were well recieved by Mrs Rena(owner) she always had a lovely smile and nice comments towards us, and the shop keeper/cleaner was extremly friendly and cheerful (very sexy lady lol) i would defiently go back again. I loved it alot. Had a few dramas tho lol

2 readers found this review helpful

went here with my new husband on the 6th of july 2010 , first time abroad for me and after reading reviews didn't really know what to expect from apartments and Gouves as a whole .... all i can say is we had a fantastic time , Rena apartments while basic are clean , well presented and the family and staff can't do enough for you ,we went self catering but rena does a mean english breakfast with everything you could want for just 4 euro , and it is once you find your way there a 15 min walk to the beach and shops and resturants , taxis are easily avalabile and the local bus service is good and stops at the end of the road from the apartments , we rented a car for two days for 78 euros to see further a field only thing id say about this is , the roads are mad!! and take a bit of getting use to ..lol..Gouves its self is beautiful and the people are so friendly and helpful and the local food is fantastic and fresh please try the island bar/rest and the the ilona bar /rest service food and prices are good and the Raki (WHICH YOU GET FREE WITH THE BILL) is lethal !! but good .i know Greece as a whole is having a hard time just now ,but i would say do not let this put you off Crete is a lovely place ,Gouves and especially the Rena appartments are value for money and we for one would not hesitate to return

3 readers found this review helpful

Booked last minute to stay at the Rena Apartments in Gouves, a little reluctant after reading some of the reviews on-line but good price and the apartments did look nice so took a chance - so glad we did !
Arrived early afternoon, warmly greeted by Manus, Sharon and Deena, Mrs Rena also came to say hello.
Given a top floor studio apartment with sea view on one side and an olive grove on the other - lovely ! No air-con but a nice sea breeze blowing through kept the apartment chilled all the time - bonus ... the pool area was nice & clean - swept and washed every day, lots of brand new sun beds - surrounded by mature trees & flowering shrubs - idyllic pool setting.
The room was spotless, well furnished (including utensils) and had a inside timber beam roof structure - lovely feature ...
Staff could not be have been nicer - Manus the barman/night staff was a great laugh, Sharon day time bar (Manus's wife) could not do enough for you - great cook :-)
Deena in the shop was a real pleasure to speak to - again could not do enough for you - not pushy (as previously mentioned) at all, even made an arrangement with her for cheap fresh fruit every day ...
Rena - owner, was a lovely lady, always had time to speak and made sure we were being looked after.
Negatives, scratching to think of any ... about 1km from nearest beach but easy walk down ... er - thats about it.
Definatley recommended - we will be going back ...

1 reader found this review helpful

We stayed at Rena apartments for a week in july 09. The rooms were clean but basic, the staff were friendly and the views were gorgeous. Its a short way from the town and the beaches but thats ok as the pool is lovely. Sharon is always bright and breezy and happy to help however she can, from making breakfast, advising on places to visit and making you feel very welcome. However, her other half is a bit overbearing. The shop owners are polite and friendly and try to help however they can.
If water slides are your thing there is a massive water park in Anapolis called water city. Is a great day out for all the family or a couple up for some fun.
There are some beautiful restaurants as you come off the beach.