We stayed at the Domes in October and I've been hesitant to write a review but feel I must. We were looking for relaxing holiday - peace, quiet, relaxation and sanctity. The website looks great? - yes?

1. We believed the resort would be for adults wanting some r&r. The website markets itself as such - can you see any photos of kids in the gallery? When we arrived however it was clearly not what was expected - there were young families everywhere.

2. Restaurantation. Website promised 3 - we were limited to 2. The main restaurant served average buffet food but not what you would expect of a resort claiming to be luxury. Don't be fooled that James Martin (UK Chef) visited there - he must have been payed a lot.... I had a yoghurt in a glass jar at breakfast that had a clear mould on it. Go to Elounda village for food at a tenth of the price.

3. Expensive - not really value for the premium paid.

4. The indoor swimming pool was about 5m x 5m....

5. I didn't think there were enough activities overall.

The things that saved this from being an absolute disaster of a holiday were some of the staff - Emma on the management team perceived we weren't enjoying it and gave us free spa treatment, free breakfast in room for the week and was the consumate professional.

Some of the other staff at Topos 1910 restaurant and the bar (who unfortunately I cannot remember the names of) were both friendly and perfectly trained.

The villas were quite pleasant and the jacuzzi made up for it.

I won't be back and hope that people looking for a retreat will not be fooled by improper website marketing.

The first time I visited the hotel was 2 years ago and I had the best time of my life.
I decided to return back this summer since the exotic resort at Krabi (Tailand) did not fulfilled my expectations.
I will not repeat again all my positive comments since you can read them on my previous report.
The hotel within 2 years did not change at all but it became even better…
This hotel is a true diamond! Fist class service, luxury and modern rooms, delicious food, fantastic beach, helpful personnel!

Thank you Domes of Elounda…!

Summary: Could do so much better - has a lot promise which it fails to deliver

First of all the good
The view from everywhere – the main hotel and room was excellent
Room space - excellent in a 1 room suite (except balcony see below)
Staff service – not excellent but sufficient though patchy
Effect of the holiday – Relaxing, peace & quiet (most of the time)

The Bad - General & Environs
Domes references both on its website and in its lobby upon the Conde Naste Traveller award but the standard of the stay in September fell far short of what one would expect.
Sanitary problem - historically smelly drains have been a problem in the Mediterranean but it has been successfully fixed in most places but this is not yet the case at Domes
The rooms are spread across the hill in small blocks with interconnecting paths – which are mostly well lit. However not all steps are illuminated, these inconsistencies caught us both unawares, causing us to nearly fall in the same place on two different occasions (sober)
As part of welcoming (or part of the post booking process) guests could be asked what times they would like their hot tub to be on - some folks like to sleep late or go to bed early – at the motor pump is noisy outside the bedroom.
Guests relations staff shouldn't sit around on Facebook in the main lobby during the evening (which was observed) but should go and chat with guests. Maybe sit with guests post-meal offering drink for chat & feedback. So that hotel can seek to attain continuous improvement - standard is certainly no longer commensurate with Conde Naste Traveller award
In lieu of old fashioned in room manual (which was missed), a late arrival pack should be offered for those who want to retire immediately on late arrival or don't want to be disturbed and just want a quiet holiday. Rather than having to then meet up with a member of staff on another day to find out what’s where etc.
The spa sent a consultation letter – but it presumed that men want sports massage and ladies don't. The letter did not highlight range, flexibility and value (but on enquiry flexibility and value did seem to missing)
Given how much of the world is becoming smoke-free - a dedicated smoking area would keep all happy, especially as bar sells cigars. The open plan bar area with two separate verandas is all pro-smoking – so on a breezy evening, a smoker can fumigate the whole area. On one occasion it was observed that in the space of 30 minutes, 12 people entered bar and left straight away because one person was smoking a cigar
Hotel paperwork does not give consistent or accurate information with regards to bar/restaurant opening times. This confusion is reflected when speaking with staff who also gave inaccurate information upon occasion (e.g. Oh yes the beach bar is serving food [at 6pm] when in fact only served daytime snacks earlier in the day)

The Bad - The Room & Marketing Spin
Shower needs deep cleaned (many months of old limescale all around)
Bathroom floor grouting looking dirty – a steam nozzle cleaning would easily refresh
Replace or discard bathrobes which very tired, ripped & course (good for exfoliation). Such robes are not becoming a hotel of this standard. Also do not presume that all guests are less than 1.7m or less than 70kgs - many men are easily 1.8m or taller
Very intermittent wifi in rooms
Copper sink has peeling cling film over entire inner surface that is akin to peeling skin - looks unpleasant and is probably easy place for dirt to build up up. This has obvious hygiene issues
Some rooms have verandas, others have fully open balconies whilst other have balconies with closed ends (which desperately need ceiling fan as impossible to have air movement)
Balcony furniture is inadequate - 1x chair is only wide enough for children. Table is wrong height for dining.
The balcony which measured 4.2m by 2m had the hot tub – which meant the remaining space was only 2.3m by 2m which felt very crampt and was not big enough for anything else especially for in room dining.
The bed really needed to be replaced – on the “telephone side” the Bed/mattress was tired/collapsing but was still “freshish” on other side

The Bad - Children
Previously Domes portrayed itself as an exclusive destination, whilst not being child unfriendly - it appeared to cater to couples primarily. However in the last year, perhaps in light of the economy and trying to compete with neighbouring larger establishments - this is now a child friendly hotel, as demonstrated by children running around main restaurant at 9pm. Another evening a family arrived at 915pm with children of 3 & 5 years. Or a couple bringing their baby in a buggy into the bar (live DJ, noisy and smokey atmosphere) at 2240. Not wishing to criticise their parenting skills, the issue was that such events impacted upon those wishing to a child free evening and hope to achieve one at a later hour.
The dining situation could easily be resolved by opening the restaurant from 1800 and making an age restriction of 16+ for after 2000. Is the target demographic really child loving or does the targeted market merely contain some parents. The vaunted separate “adults only area” is academic when it is a 3m wide strip along the edge of dining area of 15x20m – separated by a rope which still has children running through. The other hotel restaurants have no separation at all.
Domes is an expensive, luxury resort which risks compromising its proposition by trying to cater to too many markets in an non-thought out approach. It begins to look like a small version of Porto Elounda just up the road
There is a childs pool next to the main pool - yet parents are allowed to put their nappied toddlers in the main pool.

The Bad - Dining
Having tried all dining experiences offered by Domes - we could see no evidence to their claimed "dedication to Haute Cuisine". At best, it is basic but adequate and at worst, school dinners are superior. Whilst the hotel may host "annual Festival de la Gastronomie" there is no evidence that this may have benefitted the menu or standard of cooking for the rest of the year (unless it was truly abysmal before). It is worth noting that we writers have been described as epicurists & gastronomes – not being ones to complain but normally seek out the best and praise.
The menus as a way of catering to the multinational clientele had 4 way translations (Greek, English, French, German). But these translations were inconsistent. For example:
“Pecan Pie (ENG), Gâteau au Noix (FR)” but turned to be nut sponge
“Grilled Veal Fillet (ENG), Filet au bœuf au gril (FR)” but turned out to be mystery meat (Veal is Veau in French)

In summary - would we return? Unlikely, the same or better quality can be found elsewhere at a fraction of the cost. There was nothing unique about Domes of Elounda in comparison with our global experience.

We stayed here for 6 nights as part of our honeymoon. Everything was great. The management couldn't have been more accommodating. Got an upgrade upon arrival. Couldn't have asked for more. Walk to Plaka but take a cab to Elounda.