Domes Novos Santorini, Autograph Collection

Domes Novos Santorini, Autograph Collection: A Comprehensive Review

Domes Novos Santorini, an Autograph Collection property, emerges as a highly acclaimed Michelin Key Selected hotel, offering a luxurious and tranquil escape on the iconic Greek isle. Opened in April 2024, it consistently receives "wonderful" ratings from guests, who praise its stunning design, exceptional service, and private amenities.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The overall sentiment for Domes Novos Santorini is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "fantastic," "amazing," and "perfect." It holds a strong average rating, with cleanliness at 9.7 and service at 9.8 out of 10, reflecting a consistently high standard of guest experience. The hotel is often highlighted as one of the best hotels guests have ever visited, emphasizing its exceptional hospitality and professional staff.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of Domes Novos Santorini:

• Exceptional Service and Hospitality: The attentive, generous, and professional staff are frequently mentioned as a major highlight, going above and beyond to fulfill guest wishes.
• Stunning Design & Aesthetics: The hotel boasts beautiful interiors and a minimalist design that blends traditional Cycladic artistry with contemporary finesse, using local materials like volcanic stone and blonde oak. It's designed to resemble a traditional Greek village with a labyrinth of streets and hidden corners.
• Private Pools: A significant draw is that every suite and villa features its own private pool, offering unparalleled comfort and privacy with mesmerizing views of the Aegean Sea and the Santorini sunset.
• World-Class Amenities: The resort provides a full-service Soma Spa offering volcanic-infused treatments with Elemis and Codage Paris products, a wellness center, sauna, sun terrace, a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, a fitness room, and a children's playground/kids' club.
• Tranquil Location: While close to Oia, the hotel's location offers a peaceful and quiet retreat away from the crowds.

3. Room Quality

The accommodations, referred to as "bungalows" or suites, are described as new, comfortable, and beautifully decorated. Each of the 50 elegantly designed suites and 2 private villas comes with its own pool and sea views. Rooms are well-equipped with amenities such as king-size beds, walk-in showers, coffee machines (Nespresso), kettles, complimentary water, a paid minibar, Marshall or Bluetooth speakers, large televisions, and a pillow selection menu. Bathroom amenities are from The Naxos Apothecary, and guests appreciate the spacious bathrooms with double sinks and drench showers. The minimalist interiors reflect the island's essence, creating a sanctuary for reflection. Hypo-allergenic bedding, Egyptian cotton sheets, and down comforters contribute to comfort.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at Domes Novos Santorini is highly praised. The on-site restaurant, Vatanee (also referred to as Maitr & Margarita), offers innovative neo-Greek cuisine rooted in Greek tradition and local produce.

• Breakfast: The daily American buffet breakfast with à la carte options, served on the terrace overlooking the pool, is consistently described as "spectacular," "top-notch," and offering a good variety of hot and cold food, along with delicious Greek coffee.
• Lunch & Dinner: Vatanee also serves lunch and dinner, emphasizing a gastronomic experience with well-presented, fresh, and beautifully garnished meze dishes focusing on fish, seafood, and lamb. Reviewers highlight dishes like seafood black pasta, sourdough with Florina pepper spread, fresh sea urchin, and exquisite desserts.
• Atmosphere: Meals are enjoyed in an intimate, candlelit setting, contributing to a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. The rooftop restaurant is considered Santorini's hottest dining destination.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff are frequently cited as one of the strongest aspects of the hotel. Guests consistently describe the team as "exceptional," "attentive," "accommodating," "professional," "generous," and "super nice." They are commended for their willingness to help with everything, from fulfilling wishes to assisting with island navigation and even thoughtful gestures like providing a baby bath. Personalized care and a heartfelt passion for creating magical moments are noted. The check-in process is described as seamless, with guests being immediately ushered to a comfortable seating area with refreshing drinks. A buggy service is available for transportation around the property.

6. Location & Accessibility

Domes Novos Santorini is located on the northwestern coastline, just outside of Oia, offering a strategic balance between accessibility to the bustling town and a peaceful retreat.

• Proximity to Oia: It's a short 10-15 minute walk to Oia, though some guests mention the walk is uphill and uneven, preferring the hotel's complimentary shuttle service. The shuttle is available to whisk guests to and from Oia.
• Airport & Port: The hotel is approximately 9.9 miles (15.2 km) from Santorini International Airport (JTR), with a drive of about half an hour. Transfers from the airport cost around €80, and from the port, €90.
• Nearby Attractions: Beyond Oia, attractions like Katharos Beach (1.3 miles) and the Naval Museum of Oia are nearby. Fira, the capital of Santorini, is about a 20-minute taxi ride away.
• Accessibility: The hotel offers wheelchair-accessible parking and some adapted rooms.

7. Value & Pricing

While specific pricing varies, reviews suggest that Domes Novos Santorini offers a luxurious experience. Marriott Bonvoy lists "Value for the Money" with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5. One review indicated prices starting at €400-€500 per night in September, dropping to as low as €220 in late October. Package deals, such as 7 nights with bed and breakfast from London Gatwick for £1,750 per person, are also available. The cost of food and drinks within the hotel, particularly snacks, can be perceived as high by some guests.

8. Common Complaints

While generally highly rated, some minor recurring issues have been noted:

• Pool Heating: Some guests found their private pools didn't get warm enough, even when heated, or were initially unaware that heating was an option.
• Room Lighting Switches: The light switches in rooms could be confusing to operate.
• Shuttle Service Frequency: The complimentary shuttle to Oia only running twice a day was seen as infrequent by some, who desired more trips and an option to Fira.
• Taxi Costs: Taxis arranged by the hotel were noted to be significantly more expensive than alternatives.
• Storage in Some Rooms: A few guests mentioned that some rooms, particularly smaller ones, lacked sufficient shelves or surfaces for storage.

Sources

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