Lavris Paradise Complex Hotel

5 readers found this review helpful

We stayed at this holiday only having 5 days to book and found it really good. The hotel was very clean. My daughter is in a wheelchair and we had an extra wide bungalow, with special disabled facilities. There was ramps everywhere in the hotel. The staff were lovely and the entertainment was very good. There was a very good choice of food, which was very tasty.
I would recommend anyone to go to this hotel, especially people with disabilities.
A Very Happy Family
The Finns

8 readers found this review helpful

Just arrived back from our fourth visit to Crete and the Lavris complex. I was shocked to read some of the previous reviews and so felt it necessary to add my review.
On arriving at reception at 4 am in the morning we had a lovely greeting from the night porter who had 'heard' we were returning and made a real fuss. He showed us to our rooms which were in the newly renovated block. The rooms are excellent, clean and modern with all the mod cons you would expect. They are cleaned daily with towels every other day( you can have them daily if you wish). The cleaner was friendly and helpfull. We stayed all inclusive and fully enjoyed the range of excellent food that was on offer. Its a mixture of Greek and other dishes and made a welcome change form the 'Brits abroad' dishes that so many hotels offer.
The hotel is family owned and run and Titos the owner made us very welcome again. Dimitris and Manos the managers were always around, friendly and helpfull ensuring everything was ok. Petros in the bar was a star and nothing was too much trouble. The drinks available were great and one real big plus was the way in which everyone mixed in the bar. The hotel has a mixture of European guests, with not many English there this time.
The location of Gouvres is very quiet but nearby night life is easily available if you want it. Having travelled a lot this is the first time I have repeatedly gone back to the same hotel- the only reason being due to the owners and staff and the facilities!
A truly excellent hotel and holiday experience.

5 readers found this review helpful

We travelled with a party of 17 people 9 children. We arrived at the Lavris 4am and when checking in at the desk the staff couldn't of been more helpful. We realised that 1 of the rooms booked was not near the other 3 and that was going to cause us a problem because this was for 3 teenagers to stay in and they needed to be near. We told the reception and they said it was too late to change now but they would sort this problem in the morning. On waking up on our first morning we asked at reception about the rooms and at 12pm that day they gave us keys to the new room that was very close to us.
The Bungalows were compact but very clean and the towels changed every other day. There was a wide range of food to eat at breakfast,Lunch & Dinner and we always found something for everyone and being such a big party we thought that might be a problem.
One of the families that we travelled with have 2 children that cannot eat normal food and have to have a special diet - The head waiter and all the cooks were very very helpful and made meals out of the childrens special food every day without fail. They always looked for the children so they didn't feel different to anyone else. They were brilliant!!!!
The entertainment staff Vendy and Mario were brilliant everyday they had a job to get people to join in with sports but they were always polite and never kept on if you didn't want to join in.
We all said we would go back to this complex but we need more for the older childeren to do.
After reading all the reports on watchdog we were all dreading what the Lavris was going to be like but I can honestly say that we had a wonderful holiday and all 17 people agreed so it cant be that bad!!!!

Arrived in Crete early hours of the morning after a short delay from Glasgow. We were originally meant to be staying in Kokinni Hani, but on arrival at our accomodation were shocked to find that it had not opened for the season. As you can imagine my parents who are 70, my husband, son who is 10 and myself were all a bit scared to say the least. Thankfully the holiday taxi driver noticed a phone number stuck to a window and called for us. The owner had booked us into the Lavris paradise. On arrival at the Lavris at 2.45am, the man at reception couldnt be nicer, and shipped us off to our rooms quickly. The bungalow rooms were superb, slightly on the small side but seemed to "grow" on you after a few days. The bathroom was very modern and our towels were changed every couple of days. Though my parents who were the room above us didnt get theirs changed as often. The air condition worked great though a tad noisy at times. We did feel the charge of 30 euros for the safe a bit steep.The pool areas were clean though the main pool was very busy and noisy with all the games going on, fine if your taking part. We preferred to spend our days at the beach which was small but perfectly formed 6 euros got you 2 sunbeds and a umbrella ( a must). Though we were half board we didnt eat at the hotel. Met some lovely people who were all inclusive, and they were very disapointed in the food, they ended up going into the town each night for food, an added expence when you have already paid for it. The drinks at the bar were much to be desired, beer not that cold and spirits tasted like some supermarket own brand, though we did ask for branded makes. We found the bar staff quite rude and seemed in a hurry to get rid of you most of the time. I think the all inclusive set up has ruined what could be a lovely hotel, its all queues and often resembled a cattle market. The disco at night for the kids didnt start till 9pm and then it was more for the foriegn children as the dj didnt speak english. Music at the bar dreadful,so loud that you cant hear youself speak, so bad that I went to my room a few nights ( not like me at all) I think this hotel is fine if your going out every day and not spending much time there. Do NOT go all inclusive not worth the money. Go out and eat, some great places, namely Portos down on the beach. Avoid The Pig n Whistles to eat as its a greasy hole, ok for drinks though. Wouldnt go back to the Lavris definately go back to Gouves as its a lovely place. Shame that all these all inclusive deals are ruining the business for the shops and tavernas, they were all pretty quiet due to people not leaving there hotels etc. They are missing out in the best part of the holiday, the Greek food is amazing, something for everyone.

I call myself Mrs Anonymus because I want to avoid any comeback on us as this is a negative feedback. We spent 7 days in the bungalow area (there are no bungalows at the hotel actually, there are just rooms in blocks of 4) on all inclusive basis in July 2008. We were expecting a 4 star hotel (that is what we paid for) and therefore quality accomodation, but when we got there we were given this grey depressing room with a twin bed (although we asked for a double) and which was very uncomfortable to sleep on as the matrasse was very thin and laid on top of wood boards. We did not mind the room that much but the bathroom was disgusting, the loo old and stained, the loo seat very old and yellowed, the shower head rusty and limescaled, the shower curtain stained and very used, the grouting dirty etc etc. The bed covers were dirty, although the sheets were clean, the curtains was stained and dirty. I would not say this all was the cleaners not doing the job properly, but the owner's (who is the manager aswell) instruction, because he obviously is not interested in spending money on updating these so called bungalows. Well, there was no luxury in the room whatsoever (remember we booked an all inclusive holiday at a 4 star hotel), no tv, they charge an extra 20 euros to be able to use the safe. The staff was mostly unfriendly and rude, especially the pool bar staff and I have to mention the owner who was bullying his restaurant staff on a daily basis especially in front of the guests. The hotel owner was constantly walking around the restaurant, the pool and the pool bar checking everyone's plate and we felt very uncomfortable around him. We were never told that the maid would have free access to our room, and we found it out on the second day when we returned to the room in the evening and the beds were made, this was not the problem though, we left a lot of our private and personal stuff including money, passports etc.
The light entertainment they provide consists of kids disco at 9 -9.30 pm when really todlers should be asleep and the adults should have fun, and then a very boring bingo and then the same music night after night and no question about anyone dancing. We were so fed up with this "entertainment" that we preffered to spend most of the nights away from the hotel, just to get some proper service in another restaurant or bar. The drinks available for all inclusive guests were very poor quality (nothing bottled like coca cola, smirnoff ice etc), from the tap, the wine was mixed with water, the coffee was extremely weak. The pool bar staff were very unpleased when we would go back for a top up and on most occasions we would get just tap water with ice. And something else you should be careful about: do not buy the "Lavris bottled mineral water" which they try selling to everyone for 1.50 euros, it is just tap water in a plastic bottle with a very basic label stuck on it. We had to pay extra for any other drinks we wanted.
I also have to mention that at breakfast one day the staff was instructed to switch off the self service juice machines and to tell to guests they were broken. We know his because we found them unplugged and when they were not looking, we plugged them in and they worked absolutely fine!!!!
There are a lot of much nicer hotels in Gouves and we will never go back to Lavris, we were very disappointed, so hopefully our feedback will help others in choosing their holiday in Crete.

3 readers found this review helpful

We have had a weeks half board in May 2008 and enjoyed every minute of it. The restaurant, pool side bar and hotel rooms are spotless clean. All the staff are very pleasant and polite, nothing is too much trouble for any one. The food was very good, a different menu both breakfast and evening meal every day. All the hotel rooms are being up-graded, the manager shown us round the new ones and they are as good if not better than any that we have had in England. A lot of time and money has been spent of plants to make the whole area very pleasant to be in. All in all an experience that we are hoping to repeat nex year

3 readers found this review helpful

A fantastic family run Greek hotel with exceptionally friendly staff. If you want a quiet, relaxing holiday with excellent facilities and good weather then this is the ideal place to stay. The rooms are fully modernised and they are pleasantly large with excellent en suite shower rooms. The food was great - a mixture to suit everybody but mostly Greek which for us was an addedd bonus as we did not want the terrible English food abroad seniario.
A light entertainment programme was in place, you could join in or just observe without any pressure. The all inclusive price was an excellent deal as prices in Crete have increased over the last year generally. The staff were the best I have come across and nothing was too much trouble look out for Dimitirs the general manager- he has a wicked line with jokes, Petros the barman -the best we have met and Afroditi the daytime barstaff.
This was our third visit in May for a truly relaxing week. We will be going back next year!

3 readers found this review helpful

We have just returned back to Blighty from Gouvres and we were very happy with the accommodation. I read the past reviews after I booked this family holiday and panicked. Well I shouldn't of because the welcome was lovely at 7.30 in the morning after delays and night of travelling, the room was lovely, basic but plenty of space and clean. The only problem was the bathroom was very small with the shower on top of the toilet but we lived with it.
The bungalow was right next to the small pool which was perfect for us and the children as it was quiet and no problems with getting sunbeds. The pool was extremely clean and safe. As far as the food was concerned, bla bla bla!!! I haven't eaten so much in a very long time. We all found the food excellent and I am now having difficulty in back into my diet. My husband isn't a big breakfast person so he found that difficult anyway.
We found ourselves counting the hours to the next meal time. I agree with the no-shorts for men dress code and it relates to all nationalities, not just the English as previously written but I do agree that the same degree of standard should able to women also. We found all the staff friendly, big thanks to George in the Restaurant who was the entertainment in there and very charming. The pack lunches if you wish to go to beach or trips are fabulous, make sure that you order the day before.
The entertainment was fair but we were not Bingo lovers every night but this was only for 45 mins per night followed by a different activity 6 nights per week. There was things going on during the day such water aerobics, water polo and darts but to be honest, we were not interested and nor were the children. The beach at Astra beach was lovely but the big part was very busy, if you to the left of that you'll find a very small stretch of beach which was perfect for us and our children. the sunbeds x 2 plus umbrella were 6 euros which I consider a bargain.
The town is fab, quiet but plenty of various bars, restaurant and shops. I recommend the Streetlife bar with everything in it and a fabulous drink and welcome. Tomas and Tula knew our names on the second evening there and gave us free drink each.
Go to trips on your own by car or even cheaper by bus. The tour operators wanted over 200 euros for the four of us to go to Knossoss but went by bus with entrance fee and tour guide cost us 53 euros and we were able to do whatever we wanted. The slide park Aqua plus was fantastic but you can book this through reception of the hotel, not with the rep. Take a pack lunch with you though as the bracelets that you have to tot up your purchases throughout the day will sting you greatly. Ice creams and coffees were reasonable but the food places had no prices up.
Would great recommend this holiday if you want to chill out with the kids. Will definitely go again.

2 readers found this review helpful

After my parents booked this I decided to read some reviews on the hotel and put it this way I was not looking forward to my holiday after reading them.
We got to the hotel at midnight and checked in. The lad on reception was very helpful and helped all of us (6 and baby) to our rooms. The rooms are basic but very clean.
My parents did have a look at the Paradise rooms which are well worth upgrading to. This did not spoil our holiday. We went straight to the bar were we meet the owner who was very friendly and kind.
The food was fine the choice would be repetitive if staying longer than a week but it did vary each day with he chef’s specialty being very tasty!!
Gouves was a lovely town and everyone was very friendly. We also went to Hersonossis on the local bus which was beautiful.
Overall I would definitely come back to this place and do not let all the other reviews put you off.
Thank you to all the staff and management for our excellent stay and making my mum and dad's anniversary so special.

I rated this hotel 1 because 0 wasn't an option.
When we arrived at the Hotel Lavris the receptionist gave us keys to one of the bungalow rooms and not a room in the 4* hotel that we had booked the previous week. On entering the room we were both shocked and disgusted at the sight before us. The size was no more than a cupboard; it was very dark with one small window high up on the opposite wall. It had what looked like two single mattresses pushed together on a wooden base. There were no wardrobes or drawers, no bath and no air conditioning. The room was dirty and we immediately walked out and back to the reception.
We asked to see the Manager and again explained the situation. He was very unhelpful and said there was nothing he could do. We then phoned Argo’s representative on his mobile phone for help and advice. He was arrogant and gave a ‘couldn’t care less’ attitude. He said there was nothing he would or could do for us and told us it was the Travel Agents problem and to phone them.
The travel agent were as helpful as they could be but said, as we had thought that it was the responsibility of the Argo rep to help us and advised us to phone the head office number of Argo representatives and talk to the reps superior. The rep answered this office number and refused to give me any help or a name or number of his superior. He didn’t answer any further calls from us.
It was now getting late into the evening and we were tired after the flight; we just wanted to shower and change. With nowhere else we could turn for help we asked if it would be possible to upgrade to a room in the 4* hotel (which is what we had booked and paid for originally). The manager demanded 120 euros extra for a 4* hotel room. We had no choice and the 120 euros was paid by credit card. Unbelievably we were then shown back to another bungalow room. This room was slightly bigger but equally, if not even dirtier than the original cupboard. There were ants crawling all over the floor, walls and bath, there was also no hot water.
Without delay we went back to find the manager. We explained that we could not stay in either room. We asked him to help us find another hotel. He promised he would do this, but a short time later he told us that he had phoned around all the local hotels and they were all fully booked. He also refused to refund our payment of 120 euros.
Unable to stay in squalor we walked around the local area; we booked into the first suitable 4* hotel we came across. This demonstrates how disobliging the hotel manager and Argo representatives were when stating everywhere was fully booked.