Domes Aulus Elounda, Curio Collection by Hilton

Worst 5 star hotel experience i have ever had.on arrival at 2 in the morning we where offer sandwiches which where all dried up inedible.no water in room no coffee in room had to keep asking for it rooms not cleaned or swept or mopped for 5 days until i complained to reception.bathroom shower is terrible im 13 stone and could not stand in it frontwards and then the bathroom flooded when the shower is used water all over the bathroom and out into the hallway.bottom of the shower door frame all rotted and balcony to pool was so small it was dangerous as was the loose decking and the handles to enter the pool where loose and just came out of the holes in the decking.Food at the hotel was very limited and always cold no fresh food to order.snack bar food was ok but burger sent back a few times for being completely cold and raw.limited entertainment .lots of staff but only a few helpful .food and empty bottles left outside the rooms for days in general not a very nice place to stay and requires big improvements and very disappointing.we spoke to multiple guest who all where also very disappointed with the hotel.The hotel did offer a night out in a local town with a meal after i complained but this was to little to late fir a ruined weeks holiday.AVOID

We arrived home 3 days ago after spending 10 days at this resort. I had read reviews before going so was nervous, however friends had been the year before and loved it. We booked a room in the cool living section with whirlpool bath and it didn’t disappoint, my husband used it every morning and evening as the view from the room was just stunning! We were in block 700 and in my opinion the best as we had a totally uninterrupted view from the room as you could not see any other rooms or parts of the hotel around us. The room was cleaned regularly and the housekeeping staff were great. The food in the island buffet was absolutely fine, a few meat dishes and a fish dish each night along side potato and vegetable dishes, lots of salads etc, ice creams and desserts, I get the quality was good and the flavours lovely. There were several wines to choose from with dinner and all were good. We ate in 4 of the pre book restaurants and again never had an issue. Both the island and cool living restaurants have buffet lunches but there is also a snack bar during the day in the blu bar next to reception that does burgers etc and the most amazing ceasar salad. All of the spirits were branded for everyone and the cocktails were lovely and popular. There is also a snack bar on the beach that has salads, panini, crisps fruit etc and the beach bar is also great. We only used the pools in the cool living section one of them was cold but the other was heated although you did need brave it initially. As for sunbeds we never had an issue, I counted 81 in the cool living section and 100 on the beach and I would guess the same at the downstairs pool. There were always beds available and people were not reserving them. As for the hill we was aware of it before we went and knew we wouldn’t be able to walk it, however the walk from block 700 to cool living section was only a small incline and doable for most. On arrival you are given a pack with all the hotel information on including shuttle bus times but we were also told that if we need a lift in between times to call reception and they send a car or buggy so was never an issue. However the best part of this hotel was the staff, they were all incredible and we felt totally spoilt by them, they remember your name and take the time to speak to you and cannot do enough no matter what the request and they work so hard and always have a smile for you, they really do make this hotel 5*, I cannot remember everyone’s names but special thanks to Elina, Viaga, Christopher, Jason and George. We had a wonderful holiday 😊

Beware there are two domes venues in Elounda so don’t mix them up! We just got back from an amazing stay at Domes. Due to a mix up with our room the staff very kindly and swiftly organised an upgrade for us to the High Living section of the hotel. The hotel is split into 2 parts. High living is at the top of an extremely high and steep hill which is not recommended you walk up. Instead there are regular shuttles and golf buggy’s available to constantly provide lifts to the main part of the hotel, which only take 2 minutes. We never had to wait more than a few minutes for a lift. High living part of the hotel has its own bar and restaurant. You have to book the restaurant in advance which didn’t seem to be clear to everyone, despite staff explaining that to us when we checked in. The scenery was stunning. There were no mosquitos which was a relief as I have severe reactions to them. The staff were amazing. The outside pools were all cold as it seems they had been turned off the week before we arrived so we barely used them. We did venture into the spa one day for a warm pool and jacuzzi and had the place to ourselves. The jacuzzi was not working but was still heated. Would definately opt to go at a later time when pools were warmer with hindsight. There was plenty to eat here. With a choice of three restaurants (or 4 if you were in the high living section). It did get very chilly in the evenings and the restaurants are all open air, so we were having to wear jackets and hoodies. I think the resort could try much harder to be environmentally friendly. Some rubbish was divided but very little. There were no recycling bins in the rooms and tons and tons of plastic cups were being used for drinks. Would be better if Hilton just gave everyone a water bottle we could keep when we checked in and reuse through the holiday. They could be branded like other resorts do.

Arrived at 12pm quick check in at reception signed a few forms we booked the cool living and told breakfast was at the top of the hill, first morning we walked OMG the hill is so steep and we were not told there are buggy’s and hotel shuttle bus that takes you up , anyone with walking difficulties this hotel is NOT for you it’s as bad coming down as going up ! The hotel room was nice we had booked a private pool suite but it was not private at all very disappointed The cleaning staff are so good and a credit to the hotel although on more than one occasion we didn’t get any water or milk pods The room manager was so nice and very helpful organising a late check out for us we had to move rooms but that was no issue. Bar staff only one member of staff serving drinks he was really nice but at times you did have to wait a while for drinks The pool bloke didn’t crack a smile all wk and seemed miserable The girls on reception seemed irritated if u asked for extra towels for the pool. The food unfortunately is the worst food I’ve ever seen in a 5 star hotel all the meals were lukewarm the soup one day was cold no egg station to get fresh omelets and very repetitive The al la cart restaurants are a joke it’s very hard to get a reservation when u asked they are all booked but lots of empty tables and again very limited choice very poor menu and again most dishes were cold when arrived The views are absolutely beautiful and does deserve 5 stars The top pool had no atmosphere so we stayed down at the bottom one no pool bar service which was also disappointing I dislike leaving a poor review but for the price you pay this hotel does not offer what the brochure says Out first time visiting Crete and sadly this will be our last We would not recommend this hotel and reading reviews the hotel response is always the same they are happy people enjoy the views and will pass on the comments although sadly nothing seems to change

You will not get better service from the staff , hotel spotless , great views and located in between two small towns . Was concerned abt reviews before I came but I cannot fault the service . It was impeccable ! Beach is small but perfect . Easy walk to elounda and plaka with hotel shuttle to agois Nicholas . Can’t fault it … had the best 11 days here