Mihai Daniel
*Great for Families, But Not Quite 5-Star*
Fodele Beach & Water Park Resort offers many 5-star features—pools, bars, restaurants, and a fun water park—but the overall experience feels more like a quality 4-star stay.
The biggest plus: *amazing staff*. Everyone was kind and helpful.
The resort is very family-oriented. Our kids loved the water park, and the *mini train* and *golf buggy lifts* around the hilly property were a lifesaver in the heat. We also liked the *WhatsApp contact* with reception—fast and easy.
*Points to improve*: the rooms could use some modernization, the house wine quality should be better, and restaurants would benefit from having more waiters during busy hours.
In short, it’s a fun and friendly place for families—but don’t expect high-end luxury.
Bertos9
Kind of a disappointment for its score and price range.
The rooms are a joke, the food choices are limited and too repetitive, not child friendly at all.
There’s not enough shade, not enough sun-beds and not enough umbrellas.
Guests are waking up to reserve sun-beds and umbrellas even though they say it’s not allowed.
Overall it’s not a bad resort, but around the 3.5 score and probably 70% of its price.
Christopher
A well-run family friendly hotel, not a 5 star experience.
Fodele Beach and Water Park Resort technically meets the criteria for a 5-star resort—24/7 reception, multiple pools, restaurants, bars, and leisure facilities—but in reality, it lacks the polish and attention to detail that define true luxury. It’s more accurate to describe it as a solid 4-star family resort.
What really stood out was the exceptional staff. Every team member we encountered was warm, professional, and eager to help. A special thank you to Popi at the Starlight Bar, whose kind and upbeat personality made our evenings more enjoyable, and to the lovely lady at customer relations who went out of her way to make our stay memorable—including helping us book a serene catamaran cruise, which ended up being the highlight of our holiday.
The resort is clearly family-focused, with a great on-site water park for kids and entertainment (albeit basic). The small train running through the hilly property was a big help in the heat. Communication via WhatsApp with reception was a great touch, and though not advertised, staff were always willing to give us a lift back to our room via golf buggy—something I appreciated due to mobility challenges.
Positives also included a strong and reliable Wi-Fi connection throughout the resort, a lovely free room upgrade on arrival, and a broad all-inclusive drinks menu. These touches definitely improved the experience.
That said, several areas were underwhelming:
Comfort: Robes and towels were rough and not the spa-quality you'd expect. Housekeeping was minimal—beds were made daily, but sheets weren’t changed during our entire 7-night stay, which was disappointing at a beach resort.
Dining: Buffets were varied but became repetitive after a few days. The Greek à la carte restaurant was especially disappointing—it reused buffet dishes with nicer plating and lacked any real "à la carte" feel. Thankfully it was included, because it wouldn’t have been worth paying extra for.
Facilities: Some venues, like the grill restaurant, were closed due to the season—something we weren’t informed of when booking. The mini golf was poorly maintained and far below expectations.
Sustainability: Despite paying a €105 "Climate Tax," the resort still uses disposable plastic straws. In 2025, this is unacceptable and raises serious questions about their environmental commitment.
Overall, this resort is best for families with young children who want sun, pools, and a convenient all-inclusive setup. The staff are the true stars here—they genuinely care and go above and beyond. However, if you’re a couple or traveler looking for luxury, comfort, refined dining, and sustainable practices, you’ll likely be disappointed.
We got the sunshine and a bit of rest, but by the end of the week, we were ready to head home. We won’t be returning, and believe there are better-managed resorts offering a much more authentic 5-star experience for the same price.
Anne Boreham
Advertised as 5 star. I would not consider this a 5 star hotel. It’s in the middle of nowhere, busses are not reliable. The staff were amazing, the hotel was okay, not great if mobility is an issue as it’s on the side of a mountain with hundreds of steps, however there were lifts and staff would take you to and from your room in a golf buggy.
EOS Yachts
If you’re looking for a top-tier vacation spot in Crete, Fodele Beach & Water Park Holiday Resort is an excellent choice. Nestled on a stunning beachfront location, this resort offers breathtaking views, making it a paradise for both relaxation and adventure. This resort is perfect for families, featuring a fantastic water park with thrilling slides that kids (and adults!) will love! With all-inclusive dining, excellent service, and a beautiful setting, it continues to offer top-quality hospitality, ensuring an unforgettable stay for families year after year.