After two interesting flights and picking up our rental car, we head for the hotel.
Itinerary reminder :
Booking
We made this booking at Domes Of Elounda almost 3 months before our stay. For our four rooms, I used the Marriott Friends and Family rate, obtained thanks to a friend of mine who works there. We were offered the hotel for around half the best public price, which was already low at the very start of the season and in the face of great uncertainty due to very precarious entry and transit conditions.
I tell my Marriott Ambassador the names and Bonvoy numbers of my friends, which will be taken into account.
At the time of booking, I didn’t realize that a pre-payment was expected… And so I found myself with all 4 stays debited directly from my card. Not a big deal, but unexpected for my finances!
Arrival
About a week before our arrival, I noticed that each of our reservations had been upgraded to a Family Suite with Jacuzzi and sea view.
During the week before my arrival, I contact the hotel about the possibility of doing some tests in the area for the return trip. The answers are vague, but I understand that we’ll be able to book it when we arrive at the hotel.
We arrive at the hotel in the middle of the afternoon in our rental car. The valet takes care of the car and our luggage.
We are then escorted into the lobby by the friendly receptionist, who seats us outside facing the sea, with a welcome drink.
The formalities are thus completed, not really quickly, but at least in a very relaxed environment.
Welcome letters are given to everyone, and card imprints made for each of us to cover extras.
With each welcome letter, coupons for the spa are distributed to Elite members, and for me as an Ambassador member, buffet dinners are offered (excluding drinks).
Once these formalities have been completed, our receptionist accompanies us to our suites.
Room
It should be noted that, contrary to what was indicated in the Marriott Bonvoy application, not all rooms received the same upgrade.
The rooms were assigned by Bonvoy level, from the most beautiful view to the least beautiful. So I inherited the suite with the best view, and I must say the most pleasant because it’s so bright.
All our suites, numbered 2**, were adjacent or almost adjacent.
Access to the suite is via RFID cards from the outside. My friends’, a priori, were often deprogrammed, but mine worked like a charm for the whole stay.
The door gives immediate access to the spacious lounge area, with a large sofa (convertible into a bed), a coffee table, a few solid wood stools and a shelf that doubles as a desk. A large TV and plenty of storage space are available, as well as an espresso machine well-stocked with capsules.
A mini-fridge is available, stocked with at least 15 bottles of ice-cold water.
A welcome amenity consisting of a fruit platter and a bottle of Cretan red wine was laid on for me (the latter will be similar for all suites).
This lounge opens onto a very large terrace with a large outdoor sofa, an armchair, a table and two chairs, and the famous external Jacuzzi, which had to be put into service when I arrived (it’s clear that the hotel is still in soft opening at the beginning of the season).
Secondly, the room is rather classic, but has plenty of storage space and a safe, and the lighting is just right. Access to the terrace is possible.
Finally, the bathroom is a good size (much smaller than some of my friends’), and the water pressure is perfect.
To finish, a video tour:
Hotel facilities
Like all resorts, and despite its small number of rooms, the property boasts a comprehensive range of facilities.
Outdoor swimming pool
Just below reception is the hotel swimming pool, very elegant and with a superb view over Elounda bay.
Unfortunately, due to the health crisis, the main pool was closed during our stay.
Beach
The hotel’s private beach is easily accessible without leaving the resort, as a tunnel under the road has been built for this purpose.
It’s worth noting, however, that this means you have to walk along the restaurant’s terrace, which isn’t very convenient.
Fitness area
I don’t know if this has anything to do with the COVID crisis, but the hotel’s fitness area is located outside, right next to the pool, obviously making it much more pleasant to work out, especially for the rowers located in a median above the pool.
Food options
The hotel boasts a number of restaurants, offering a variety of pleasures for those seeking an immersive experience. This won’t be our case, but we have nevertheless tested most of the restoration points.
Restaurant Tholos (buffet)
On our first evening in the hotel, given our late arrival, we chose to dine at the Tholos restaurant, which serves a local buffet-style meal.
As an Ambassador member, this is included in the price of my stay, but not for my 3 other companions. The buffet is of high quality but lacks variety. We’ll eat well, but the local cuisine has so much more to offer.
The restaurant also serves a buffet in the morning.
Surprisingly, we only pay for bottled water.
Restaurant Topos (beach)
On one of the lunch days of our stay, after enjoying the beach and the sea (a little cool at the start of the season), we’ll have lunch at the beach restaurant, which specializes in fresh fish.
Everything was very good, but the service was really disjointed, forcing us to wait almost 25 minutes for the bill. Unbelievable!
Beach service
The beach service is excellent. In addition to the natural warmth of the staff, who make you feel right at home, service is fast and the food (snacking) excellent.
Departure
Departure formalities will be fast, and we won’t need a Late Check-out. However, as my friends will find out, it’s allocated very sparingly, even for Platinum members!
Bottom line
An excellent stay with superb value for money, but with a few service problems that we’ll blame on a slow start to the season.
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