The first property for Domes Resorts outside of Greece, I loved my stay at
Domes Lake Algarve. A beautiful hotel in a picturesque location, everything about this hotel is remarkable. The staff went out of their way to make sure my experience was perfect; the food was truly exceptional and the hotel even has its own sand-bottomed pool for those that want the feeling of sand between their toes without leaving the hotel! For those who do want to go out and explore the 'real' Algarve, the hotel is just a few minutes away from one of the best beaches in Europe, the stunning Falesia Beach, and the Marina's wide array of inviting shops, restaurants and bars. I would highly recommend a trip to one of the nearby towns - I visited Loule and loved discovering its Arab inspired market, castle and a host of quirky independent shops and charming cafes.
The ultimate destination for slow living, my experience at
Domes Zeen Chania was heavenly. Other than the beautiful tropical garden setting, picture-perfect stretch of beach and attentive service, what stood out to me most from my stay was the incredible food! We chose the Haute Living half board experience so truly got a taste of everything - from a delicious squid carbonara to the most flavourful salads, the choice and quality of food was really impressive. The exclusive Haute Living lounge also offered the tastiest treats throughout the day, which was ideal for keeping you energised enough for the al fresco gym (or relaxing by the pool, by the sea, or in the spa!). We ventured into Chania town and were thrilled to see the culinary delights continued in the local area, where the Venetian Harbour and narrow cobbled paths were all brimming with lovely restaurants and bars. It was perfect for watching the mesmerising sunsets as you grabbed a bite to eat!
I was in the middle of reading "The Island" by Victoria Hislop before visiting
Domes of Elounda so any bookworm could only imagine how excited I was to go one of the hotel's trips to Spinalonga. But throughout our two-night stay, there was so much for me and my friend to experience without leaving the resort! We were treated to a 30-minute massage and a wonderful meal at Makris, a restaurant serving elevated Greek Cuisine. The CORE Agora (a Domes signature space, this one inspired by the ancient Greek gathering place of communities) was also hosting some really interesting interactive art exhibitions; the experiences here are always changing but I'd definitely recommend a visit.
My stay at
Domes Miramare was certainly something to remember and I can't wait to return! Just a stone's throw away from the stunning Shingle Beach, we were lucky enough to stay in the beautiful seafront wing, overlooking both the main pool and the ocean - the perfect location for easy access to the restaurant and pool bar! While there was more than enough to do at the hotel, the beautiful Corfu Town is only 15 minutes away so we boarded the hotel's boat transfer and made our way over! The town is incredible in the afternoons when the temperature slightly drops; I especially loved meandering through beautiful, cobbled streets and learning about the local history! My other stand-out moment was olive oil tasting back at the hotel! Truly something special, it was so interesting learning about how olive oil is made and certainly offered us something new to do!