Gava Waterman Island Cottages

What was good… -- Beautiful surroundings. You have a gorgeous sea view from almost everywhere. -- Incredibly clean, well maintained resort. The pools are impeccably clean, as are the bathrooms and basically everything. -- Kitchen staff was very friendly and efficient. -- Rooms are small but nice. Our room (forest cottage) seemed brand new. Everything about it was perfect, including the A.C. And our cottage was right on the edge of the water, so we had a nice view of the sea and sunset. -- Food was ok. All-inclusives are always repetitive, so I don’t mind seeing lots of the same stuff every day. I’m happy to have my pancakes in the morning and pizza and fries at night. My wife felt there was a good selection of fruits all the time, and they changed up the meats and fishes regularly. So really, the food was fine. What didn’t matter to me… -- Lack of COVID restrictions. The food staff mostly wore masks, but the guests almost never. To the person who posted in July, complaining about lack of COVID measures… Seriously, if you’re so stressed about COVID, then why are you spending time at a big resort. Just stay home. My family and I already had COVID in late February, so we felt comfortable going out and enjoying our holiday. What was bad… -- Pools are way too small There are two adult pools and one baby pool, but these pools are way too small to handle the number of guests. The pools are extremely crowded with loud, annoying, unsupervised kids, and the resort wasn’t even fully booked while we were there! There is a list of rules that NO ONE respects and NO ONE from the resort EVER enforces any of these rules, including no diving or jumping (that’s literally all that is going on all day long, including kids and parents) and no inflatable rafts or floats (at one point I counted 10 in the pool; it’s impossible to swim without getting run over by these rafts). -- Serious lack of activities and entertainment There’s a group of four girls with “Entertainment” shirts, but all they do is work for the kids’ club. I believe I saw some morning workouts in the pool too, but that’s it. Do you really need four girls to watch kids while offering no communal activities for adults? I’ve been to a lot of all-inclusive resorts, and what I’m used to is volleyball, water polo, evening shows, games, etc. And I’m used to the entertainment staff going around inviting people to take part (not in a pushy way, of course, but just telling them what’s happening). In this resort, there is NONE of that. Even on karaoke night, they just had a bunch of young kids singing. They sort of mentioned that anyone could participate, but they didn’t encourage it. You could tell that a lot of adults sitting around wanted to get into it, but nobody would be the fist one. So, after five kids’ performances, the activity was over. That’s not a problem of lack of facilities or equipment; it’s a problem of poor training (or simply not caring). There is really nothing to do in this resort but relax or swim in the water. OK, there are facilities (basketball, pétanque, ping-pong, chess, etc), but nothing communal happening. Overall, we were very happy with our stay. The crowded pools and lack of activities weren’t enough to dampen our spirits. It’s a very nice place, and I wouldn’t mind going back one day – maybe off-season though.

Stayed for a week at the beginning of August. As you would expect, very busy, lots of kids but not so it was uncomfortable. Taxi from Split Airport to the Ferry, which was surprisingly easy. Have to carry luggage up some stairs on ferry so need to be aware of that. Taxi at other side on Brac Island to hotel, all smooth. Transfer took 45 minutes taxi, 50 minutes ferry and half hour taxi. Hotel had a good if small selection of food, but all was very tasty and cooked fresh. Plenty of fruit and veg, but also pizza and chips ! Hotel staff wearing masks and trying to social distance, but other nationalities visiting not so much. Restaurant and bar etc outdoor so managed to keep distance from other guests. No sand, stone at the beach, and straight to 6 feet deep, so swimmers only. Two pontoons in the water, and a blow up assault course, which was good. Snorkelling as good as you can get in the Adriatic. Never went hungry or thirsty, and always managed to get a sunbed. Pizza and rolls etc at 3 pm, beer and coffee available all day near enough. As with any resort at capacity in August, no good turning up at 10 o’clock and expecting to get a sunbed in a prime spot with an umbrella ! Staff all helpful, and two young lads at small pool bar spoke excellent English, always happy and polite despite their long hours. Rooms - don’t expect a sea view, but all are near trees and quiet. Good shower and comfy bed, small patio or balcony which was great. No tea or coffee facilities in the rooms. Staff only change towels when requested and no bed making etc due to COVID. (Understandable). The location is stunning, on a hillside overlooking the bay. Superb views from the sun beds and restaurants, take time to appreciate them. Hotel can only have been open a couple of years at most. Milna port is a free shuttle bus away, worth a visit but don’t expect a bustling hub. Walked back, 30 minutes. All in all a lovely week, and thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

Thought I would do a mid holiday review. Arrived on Sunday the transfer that I thought would be tedious, was nothing of the sort, pleasant and passed quick Hotel lovely on arrival, quick check in, tho reception staff could have been a bit more welcoming. No help with cases but didnt bother us, may be a problem for Some. Grounds and rooms very tasteful, lovely airy room everything required. Maid service daily though not particularly thorough my mirror has been smudged for 4 days now and,a dropped a batterry and it was still in the same place on the floor. The cleaner at the toilet pool did clean the toilet then wipe with same cloth Maids pleasant and happy to oblige if you ask.No water in room but you do get a bottle if you ask,well most of the time. personally I would prefer plastic bottle rather than a glass refil with no lid. I must admit I have been a little dissapointed with the food, not like advertised pictures. Small selection and though its cooked well its very similar every night. Think veggies may struggle here even salad bar very basic. Whilst i understand nuts are used a lot as someone who is allergic it would be nice to have a choice, when their is something suitable its on a tray with nuts and servers used for all. A simple solution would be to put a sign eg nut free please only use server supplied. I know this isnt easy to enforce but a simple thing would be a massive help. But food is nice. As there are no lifeguards pools are a bit overrun, same old story no loungers as towels on and people notturning up till after lunch, and unsupervised children running riot. Why not have someone checking the loungers and removing towels and keep 1 pool adult only as in many other hotels. Otherwise nice pools beautiful views. Not particuarly big but adequate. Would definately stop night swimming edpecially children alone as accident waiting to happen and I'm sure it wouldnt be good for business. Beach steep but lovely steps are a bit hard. I will say this is the first time I have had to buy my own golf ball to play mini golf as they have none, people keep them. Easy solution lig them in and out or charge a deposit. Dont wish this to be a bad review just honest one. It is a lovely hotel in a lovely place, with a bit of thought it could be a really good hotel. And most of it free to implement. Staff training free, especially reception. Golf ball deposit free, adult pool just a sign,cleaning again training.sun loungers etc and night swimming monitered by existing staff. Improving the food and catering for special problems. I do feel that compared to other all inclusive holidays, and I generally do two a year, this was not value for the price we paid in comparrison.