Domes Aulus Elounda
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Hotel Details
Location
Crete
Greece, Europe
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Expert Review: Domes Aulus Elounda
Domes Aulus Elounda, a Michelin Key Selected property in Crete, Greece, generally garners positive attention for its luxurious adults-only experience, breathtaking views, and exceptional service, though some guests have noted areas for improvement.
Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Domes Aulus Elounda is overwhelmingly positive, with many guests describing their stay as "outstanding" and "perfect." The hotel is frequently recommended, with some visitors expressing a strong desire to return. While the hotel positions itself as a 5-star experience, some reviews suggest that certain aspects fall short of this rating, particularly regarding standard room quality and the consistency of the all-inclusive offering.
Key Highlights
Guests consistently praise several key aspects of Domes Aulus Elounda:
- Breathtaking Location & Views: The hotel's setting in Elounda's Mirabello Bay offers panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and Spinalonga Island, which are frequently described as spectacular. The architecture is noted for blending beautifully with the natural surroundings.
- Impeccable Service & Staff: The staff receives high commendation for being attentive, warm, highly professional, kind, and always ready to assist with a smile. Individual staff members are often highlighted for going above and beyond.
- Private Beach & Pools: The private beach is described as clean, sandy, and comfortable, featuring a convenient cocktail bar. The hotel also boasts multiple pools, including two cliffside outdoor swimming pools and exclusive pools for "Cool Living" guests.
- Design & Ambiance: The hotel is appreciated for its tastefully designed and impeccably maintained spaces, offering a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. The white and Aegean-blue color palette in rooms is noted as crisp and clean.
- Wellness Facilities: The Soma Spa, with its glittering black and gold ceramic mosaic, and a gym are available, adding a wellness element to the experience.
Room Quality
Room quality elicits mixed feedback. While some guests found their rooms lovely, others expressed concerns. Many suites feature private jacuzzis or plunge pools as standard. The white and Aegean-blue color scheme with open floor plans provides an airy feel, complemented by hand-carved wooden furniture. However, some standard rooms have been criticized for being small, with poor layouts, narrow showers that can flood the bathroom, and hard-to-access closets. A few guests reported a need for refurbishment in common areas and rooms, and some noted minor maintenance issues.
Dining Experience
The dining experience at Domes Aulus Elounda receives varied reviews. The hotel offers six signature eateries and three bars, aiming for both classic and fine-dining experiences with organic, farm-to-table ingredients. Options include a Greek-Mediterranean buffet at The Island restaurant, an Italian trattoria, a multi-ethnic gourmet street-food venue (Amphiteátro), high-concept Asian dining (Yellow Sea), a gourmet Pita canteen (Meze), and a Greek-style sharing restaurant.
Many guests commend the food as outstanding, delicious, fresh, and beautifully presented, with both food and drinks feeling premium. However, a recurring complaint centers around the buffet, which some found to be average, sometimes poor, and with lukewarm food. There were also criticisms regarding the limited availability of reservations for à la carte restaurants, sometimes forcing guests to eat at the buffet. Some guests also desired more authentic Greek dishes. Conversely, guests with "Cool Living" access often had a more positive dining experience, including exclusive dining at the panoramic Greco Levante restaurant.
Service & Staff
The service and staff are consistently highlighted as a major strength of Domes Aulus Elounda. Guests describe the staff as incredibly kind, professional, friendly, and attentive. They are frequently praised for their willingness to help and for going above and beyond to ensure a memorable stay. However, a few isolated incidents of unfriendly or inattentive service staff and a rude receptionist have been reported.
Location & Accessibility
Domes Aulus Elounda is ideally situated in cosmopolitan Elounda's Mirabello Bay, an adults-only (16+) beachfront escape. The coastline, beaches, and crystal-clear seas are easily accessible. Nearby attractions include the quaint fishing village of Plaka, famous for its tavernas and breathtaking views of Spinalonga Island and its Venetian castle. The resort is on a steep hillside, which offers stunning views but necessitates a shuttle service (cars and golf buggies) for transport around the property. This hillside location may not be suitable for guests with limited mobility. The hotel is approximately an hour's drive from Heraklion (HER) airport.
Value & Pricing
Many guests believe Domes Aulus Elounda offers an excellent balance of luxury, comfort, and quality service, finding it "truly worth every cent." However, some guests felt that the experience, particularly for those who paid to upgrade to "Cool Living," was overpriced and underwhelming, not meeting 5-star expectations. Prices can vary significantly depending on the season, with October being the cheapest month and July the most expensive. The "Cool Living Selection" is noted as elevating the experience with privileged suites, exclusive dining, unlimited branded drinks, and daily minibar refills, which some guests highly recommend.
Common Complaints
While generally well-received, Domes Aulus Elounda has faced some recurring criticisms:
- Inconsistent Food Quality and Restaurant Reservations: Issues with buffet quality (average, sometimes lukewarm food) and difficulty securing reservations for à la carte restaurants, despite visible empty tables, are frequently mentioned.
- Room Design and Maintenance: Some standard rooms are criticized for being small, having poor layouts (e.g., door opening next to the bed, inaccessible closet), narrow showers, and a lack of smart TVs. Minor maintenance issues have also been noted.
- Accessibility for Mobility Impaired: The hotel's steep hillside location, while offering great views, requires extensive use of shuttle services and can be challenging for guests with mobility issues.
- Cool Living Expectations: While "Cool Living" is generally praised, some guests felt that the upgrade was not worth the cost or that the exclusive pool sunbeds were often reserved early.
- Bees at Breakfast: A minor but recurring complaint notes the presence of many bees at the breakfast buffet, bar, and pool areas.
- Limited Entertainment: Some guests found the evening entertainment to be minimal or "done on the cheap."
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While generally well-received, Domes Aulus Elounda has faced some recurring criticisms:
- •Bees at Breakfast:** A minor but recurring complaint notes the presence of many bees at the breakfast buffet, bar, and pool areas.
