Dec 26, 2016, 8:33 am
Last edit by: littlevoices
This is an all suite property. There are about 85 units total including suites, villa and private residence. New villas are planned.
There is no resort fee, no parking or valet fees, and buffet breakfast is included daily regardless of your status with Marriott.
There is no exec lounge for elites.
The resort is located about 8 minute drive North of the town of Elounda. The small town of Plaka is 3-4 minute drive to the North.
The ferry to Spinalonga Island is 10 euro the round trip. The admission to the island is another 8 euro per person.
Haute Living lounge is only available for those who have paid for Villas.
Titanium benefits are generous (as at August 2020):
There is no resort fee, no parking or valet fees, and buffet breakfast is included daily regardless of your status with Marriott.
There is no exec lounge for elites.
The resort is located about 8 minute drive North of the town of Elounda. The small town of Plaka is 3-4 minute drive to the North.
The ferry to Spinalonga Island is 10 euro the round trip. The admission to the island is another 8 euro per person.
Haute Living lounge is only available for those who have paid for Villas.
Titanium benefits are generous (as at August 2020):
- Complimentary Breakfast in our Restaurant (Tholos) throughout your stay (When booking on redemption stay)
- One Complimentary Dinner in our Restaurant (Blend or their choice on check-in), drinks excluded
- Spa thermae Facilities (per Adult, per stay - was a 20 minute back massage)
- VIP Check-in over a signature aperitif overlooking the famous UNESCO protected islet of Spinalonga
- 1000 bonus points (in addition to any normal bonus), posts about 5-7 days later
Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection - Crete, Greece [Master Thread]
Jan 24, 2018, 11:29 am
#77
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, UA Mileage Plus 1K, AA Executive Plat, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 2,344
my apologies, did not. my only work computer I had did not allow for uploading of any photos and didn't have a personal computer other than my iPad. so will make sure to share details and pics in the next day or so.........now that I have my MacBook!
Jan 26, 2018, 4:58 am
#78
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, UA Mileage Plus 1K, AA Executive Plat, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 2,344
Trip Report (delayed........by 3 months)
Arrival
We were using our GPS after arrival into HER from ATH, and initially took us down a dirt road and into the back entrance, however, just a few hundred feet further down, the entrance is seen with a gate branded entrance.
once we pulled in and parked, we went into the reception area and when called upon to the front desk, the check-in girl was almost dumbfounded that we were in line and stated "hi, we're here to check-in". Almost as if she was appalled! Nonetheless, we were escort out onto the patio and given a welcome drink while the next individual was available to welcome us and speak about the hotel, restaurants, pool, etc. The view is pretty good while you wait!
After reviewing another FT member who had mentioned a specific room and their love of that room, I had asked as well, including the access to the Haute room, but was told that no one is an ELITE member at this property and everyone is equal (this after an email from the hotel staff a week before arriving asking if I had questions, then did not respond to me for 3 different days to my inquiries prior to arrival). After sign-in, etc. was complete, we were driven in a golf cart to our unit.
(we were happy that parking is free and a partial valet, but not necessary)
Room
We booked a Premium room with balcony and whirlpool, with sea view. (we were hoping for the pool room, but wasn't available at booking). We were not disappointed however with our spot! We were upon the 300 level as the property snakes up the cliff, so the 300 I would say is the lowest you want if you want to be able to have a great view of the sea. Our room consisted of a large living room area, with a working desk (as the Mrs CALMSP and I did have a little bit of work to do).
Balcony just to the right of above, with the view shown below:
....another view, but in the morning as the sun is just coming up:
The bedroom was a good size, with another desk and a tall wardrobe on both sides of the bed, along with a sliding door leading to the balcony and hot tub. (balcony spanned the entire width of the unit)
The bathroom was ok. We were not overly wowed. The lighting is absolutely horrible in there, not only did the Mrs have to do hair/makeup in the living room, I had to kinda do the same. The dome shower was nice, but the tub isn't anything special.
Pools/Beach
There are two pools on property, with an adult pool at the main check-in facility and a "family" pool which is on the backside of the mountainside, with no real Seaview, but a nice place.
Adult Pool:
Family Pool (very large, with the ability to do laps, as well as a separate kiddy pool).
part 1 of 2
Arrival
We were using our GPS after arrival into HER from ATH, and initially took us down a dirt road and into the back entrance, however, just a few hundred feet further down, the entrance is seen with a gate branded entrance.
once we pulled in and parked, we went into the reception area and when called upon to the front desk, the check-in girl was almost dumbfounded that we were in line and stated "hi, we're here to check-in". Almost as if she was appalled! Nonetheless, we were escort out onto the patio and given a welcome drink while the next individual was available to welcome us and speak about the hotel, restaurants, pool, etc. The view is pretty good while you wait!
After reviewing another FT member who had mentioned a specific room and their love of that room, I had asked as well, including the access to the Haute room, but was told that no one is an ELITE member at this property and everyone is equal (this after an email from the hotel staff a week before arriving asking if I had questions, then did not respond to me for 3 different days to my inquiries prior to arrival). After sign-in, etc. was complete, we were driven in a golf cart to our unit.
(we were happy that parking is free and a partial valet, but not necessary)
Room
We booked a Premium room with balcony and whirlpool, with sea view. (we were hoping for the pool room, but wasn't available at booking). We were not disappointed however with our spot! We were upon the 300 level as the property snakes up the cliff, so the 300 I would say is the lowest you want if you want to be able to have a great view of the sea. Our room consisted of a large living room area, with a working desk (as the Mrs CALMSP and I did have a little bit of work to do).
Balcony just to the right of above, with the view shown below:
....another view, but in the morning as the sun is just coming up:
The bedroom was a good size, with another desk and a tall wardrobe on both sides of the bed, along with a sliding door leading to the balcony and hot tub. (balcony spanned the entire width of the unit)
The bathroom was ok. We were not overly wowed. The lighting is absolutely horrible in there, not only did the Mrs have to do hair/makeup in the living room, I had to kinda do the same. The dome shower was nice, but the tub isn't anything special.
Pools/Beach
There are two pools on property, with an adult pool at the main check-in facility and a "family" pool which is on the backside of the mountainside, with no real Seaview, but a nice place.
Adult Pool:
Family Pool (very large, with the ability to do laps, as well as a separate kiddy pool).
part 1 of 2
Jan 26, 2018, 5:46 am
#79
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, UA Mileage Plus 1K, AA Executive Plat, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 2,344
trip report part 2 of 2
Beach - not much of a beach, and rather tiny. From the resort you walk through a tunnel underneath the road to a private area on the water that the hotel owns. There is a small portion of sand to the right, but to the left there is a small boardwalk with lounge chairs that we used.
(pic taken from TOPOS bar looking back at the beach)
boardwalk where we sat and drank a bunch of fruity drinks at 10 a piece (euro or USD, can't remember)
a few more miscellaneous pictures:
Dinner at the back pool Blend Italian Restaurant. it was amazing!
another view of the family pool
Helicopter pad for fancy arrival
Haute Lounge located at the family pool
kids daycare (apparently, not for spouses!)
Topos Restaurant menu on the water. Live music, good food, and seated on a pier out into the water. (55 euro per adult, 28 per child)
Private hot tub off bedroom
Good size balcony
Breakfast: everyone has free breakfast at the main lobby restaurant every morning. Full buffet of essentially whatever you can think of and lots of Champagne!! Apparently the back restaurant (Blend) also has breakfast, and while we were told we had access, were told we could not, but they allowed us as we had already sat down and started the Champagne.
Dress Code: (didn't appear to be a problem, and the flip-flop thing was not something being monitored.
Daytime: resort casual. no swimwear in restaurants. for safety reasons, please wear shoes in restaurants and bars at all times.
Evening: smart casual. gentlemen are kinda requested to wear long shorts (Bermudas) or trousers in restaurants. please note flip flops are forbidden.
Overall: Mrs CALMSP and I really did enjoy the trip. It is a bit quieter than what we were expecting, but nonetheless, enjoyed it. We did rent a car for the full week, which allowed us to go to some vineyards, get a round of golf in, check out the local town (immediate town just about a mile down the road and a lot of good restaurants on the water). The staff were all very courteous, outside of the strange welcome. That would be the thing I hope would be different for others as the letdown of the arrivals was not what you would expect from such a secluded, higher end resort.
I had redeemed points for the entire stay and even with that, we hit 1,000 EURO for 6 nights given the amount of drinks we were doing poolside/seaside! (this doesn't include the jewelry store on-site.....which is like a magnet to the wife)
Beach - not much of a beach, and rather tiny. From the resort you walk through a tunnel underneath the road to a private area on the water that the hotel owns. There is a small portion of sand to the right, but to the left there is a small boardwalk with lounge chairs that we used.
(pic taken from TOPOS bar looking back at the beach)
boardwalk where we sat and drank a bunch of fruity drinks at 10 a piece (euro or USD, can't remember)
a few more miscellaneous pictures:
Dinner at the back pool Blend Italian Restaurant. it was amazing!
another view of the family pool
Helicopter pad for fancy arrival
Haute Lounge located at the family pool
kids daycare (apparently, not for spouses!)
Topos Restaurant menu on the water. Live music, good food, and seated on a pier out into the water. (55 euro per adult, 28 per child)
Private hot tub off bedroom
Good size balcony
Breakfast: everyone has free breakfast at the main lobby restaurant every morning. Full buffet of essentially whatever you can think of and lots of Champagne!! Apparently the back restaurant (Blend) also has breakfast, and while we were told we had access, were told we could not, but they allowed us as we had already sat down and started the Champagne.
Dress Code: (didn't appear to be a problem, and the flip-flop thing was not something being monitored.
Daytime: resort casual. no swimwear in restaurants. for safety reasons, please wear shoes in restaurants and bars at all times.
Evening: smart casual. gentlemen are kinda requested to wear long shorts (Bermudas) or trousers in restaurants. please note flip flops are forbidden.
Overall: Mrs CALMSP and I really did enjoy the trip. It is a bit quieter than what we were expecting, but nonetheless, enjoyed it. We did rent a car for the full week, which allowed us to go to some vineyards, get a round of golf in, check out the local town (immediate town just about a mile down the road and a lot of good restaurants on the water). The staff were all very courteous, outside of the strange welcome. That would be the thing I hope would be different for others as the letdown of the arrivals was not what you would expect from such a secluded, higher end resort.
I had redeemed points for the entire stay and even with that, we hit 1,000 EURO for 6 nights given the amount of drinks we were doing poolside/seaside! (this doesn't include the jewelry store on-site.....which is like a magnet to the wife)
Jan 26, 2018, 5:02 pm
#81
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Bainbridge Island, WA
Posts: 8,964
Nearly all the beaches in that area are naturally stone....large flat dark, quite beautiful. If there is a stretch of sand it is quite small or man-made. If you are looking for long swatches of sandy beach you might need to go to the south coast of the island. There is a sand beach 12.5 kilometers east of nearby town Aghios Nikolaos in the modern town of Istron. But it has become quite popular and commercial.
Feb 1, 2018, 3:22 am
#82
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, UA Mileage Plus 1K, AA Executive Plat, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 2,344
this is Voulisma beach, which is about 30 minutes south. Sandy water, clear. Can be a little crowded, so if you want to rent a chair and umbrella (maybe 8 euro for two chairs and umbrella), need to get their early. also has a bar/mini restaurant where this pic was taken, so you can get drinks and food.
Feb 6, 2018, 12:47 pm
#83
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,657
Option for award rooms are either "Premium" or "Family" and I was wondering what the difference was. Based on the description it would seem that the "Family" has 2 Sofa beds instead of 1. Is that correct?
We stayed at the Starwood Blue Palace 2 years ago and want to go back but maybe try something different. Anyone stay at both the Domes Elounda and the Domes Chania yet that can compare the two as the Chania property might be an option too.
We stayed at the Starwood Blue Palace 2 years ago and want to go back but maybe try something different. Anyone stay at both the Domes Elounda and the Domes Chania yet that can compare the two as the Chania property might be an option too.
Feb 15, 2018, 2:52 pm
#84
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 92
this is Voulisma beach, which is about 30 minutes south. Sandy water, clear. Can be a little crowded, so if you want to rent a chair and umbrella (maybe 8 euro for two chairs and umbrella), need to get their early. also has a bar/mini restaurant where this pic was taken, so you can get drinks and food.
Last edited by hhoope01; Jul 9, 2018 at 6:53 pm Reason: no need to quote the picture
Feb 15, 2018, 3:59 pm
#85
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Jersey
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Lifetime PLT
Posts: 1,154
this is Voulisma beach, which is about 30 minutes south. Sandy water, clear. Can be a little crowded, so if you want to rent a chair and umbrella (maybe 8 euro for two chairs and umbrella), need to get their early. also has a bar/mini restaurant where this pic was taken, so you can get drinks and food.
Last edited by hhoope01; Jul 9, 2018 at 6:54 pm Reason: no need to quote the picture
Feb 22, 2018, 2:48 am
#86
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, UA Mileage Plus 1K, AA Executive Plat, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 2,344
May 16, 2018, 5:27 am
#89
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,657
I am not sure but what would make you assume that this is NOT considered a resort? It has a pool, beach and is in a resort location and it shows up if you search by "resort" in Europe on the Marriott website. I will be there next month so I can double check on late check out but I would assume it might be on an individual basis based on availability.
May 16, 2018, 8:05 am
#90
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, UA Mileage Plus 1K, AA Executive Plat, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 2,344
we were not charged for the coffee pods in the room when we stayed in September last year. As for late checkout, cannot confirm either as we left at 11:00 to catch a flight to ATH.
As for benefits for Gold, I would not count on that. My "reception" guy said that the hotel doesn't recognize Marriott Rewards status and my Platinum status did not get me anything. Its an "everyone is equal" type of resort.
As for benefits for Gold, I would not count on that. My "reception" guy said that the hotel doesn't recognize Marriott Rewards status and my Platinum status did not get me anything. Its an "everyone is equal" type of resort.