Domes Zeen Chania a Luxury Collection Resort Crete

Where to start with this hotel's experience?!? Having traveled the world for the past 20 years, especially for my seasonal month long birthday-vacation trip: I'm been blessed to stay at numerous hotels, big and small throughout globe. This Domes Zeen Chania 'Luxury " Resort needs a little bit of work! Despite the room designs, I stayed in a Villa Suite with my friend; were beautifully designed and spacious...however, the staff lacked great consistency and genuine hospitality! Having worked as a manager in similar 5 star resorts for many years earlier in my life: I come to 'see' everything...not just the bad but the good in accommodations but the service too! Little things always seem to leave that lasting impression on guests. And my review of this hotel will outline it's strengths and weaknesses. As stated earlier the property and rooms are comfortable, beautiful and scenic. But the people who tend to you during your stay...make all the difference in the world. Let start with check-in, the man who greeted us upon arriving was full of seemingly good vibe/good energy...but after 2 days, when we phoned having problems with the key card making an annoying beep that we couldn't stop....he was like someone else. Very unprofessional and now seemingly annoyed?! And we were still being polite in notifying the front desk. Hmmm. Not a good sign. The problem reoccurred even after being moving to another villa, above us. Problem was the same most the stay on and off. We visited the bar and had a fun chat with the bartenders near the main pool( which appeared a little dirty); it seemed fun until the next day when they had difficulty even remembering us....did we not order enough drinks or tip generously? Hmmm. We went to dinner, the go-cart issue was always a challenge as well, waiting, waiting or deciding to walk up and down the hilly terraces. Chris, was one of the drivers who seemed and was genuine; unchanging , friendly and polite. However, the rest of the drivers seemed rushed, tired and unhappy to be there. Next we had dinner, many dinners in the restaurant on the property, in fact. The wait staff was average...and simply smiles and hellos in Greek simply don't cut it. There needs further polishing of training here. Everyone needs to be the same in the table service./ timing. It's key to be near without suffocating the diners. You must engage and remember guests...and anticipate what you can do next to give a memorable impression that will show up on reviews and social media. The food was pricey within the hotel so we opted to dine in the historic downtown many time. Our hotel restaurant had very good food but the portions were rather shy or small. They also lacked choices on the menu even when they rotated them throughout our week long stay. Also the bees at breakfasts are something to be extremely aware of...as many tables had children! As I mention previously, this was my birthday-chosen hotel...especially for my noteworthy new age. Most the team throughout the hotel KNEW my birthday was approaching. However, on my birthday, we rented a car and drove one of the major ancient sites featured on the island...but we spoke of it to our breakfast table waiter when she told us she hadn't been there yet. When we arrived back later than expected, shortly before restaurant closed...we decided to order room service instead. Which had NOW closed too! So my birthday had no dinner or cake or champagne. It was very disappointing! FAILING GRADE. The next morning the hotel manager, Sophia, mingled over to our breakfast table and asked why we didn't reserve a table for my birthday dinner? I think its rather presumptuous to expect a guest to come every night to the same place and order the same food, Is it a prison or a resort? Hmmm. If the were a luxury hotel like many we've stay at throughout the world, they could had invited us or at very least delivered a little surprise to the room. However, the day after my birthday our room was bum-rushed by staff members blowing up (black?) balloons and dropped lame, melting mousse cake with , Happy 51!, written on it. Am I 51 today? They have your passport on file...but I think they can do better that perceived funny age. Very sad and further disappointing. I arrived back to hear and see this had happened, while my friend was doing business on his computer. The rest of the stay just continued to become further annoying as Sophia pretended to listen, or even care. Next, was the makeshift, shockingly-poor quality and poor installation of wicker blinds that hung on the terrance sitting area next to the pool. A nighttime storm came through ripping them half down and hanging in a balled mess. Maintenance came and zip-tied the remaining up leaving even less privacy than before. They were never repaired during the rest of the stay, Housekeeping was another dubious scene. We happened to stay in the room one day to rest but we allowed the maid to change linen and sweep/wash the floor. It was a sloppy job...missing crumbs, leaves and sand on the floor only to draw insects inside. Not luxury. We finally checked out... and the staff seemingly on their best behavior now since we were soon to be gone. During the taxi ride to the airport, I commented the Domes Resort are off the list for future stays. And believe it or not...once at the airport, my friends backpack, that only remained in the room the entire stay, was now filled with countless, ants! So many... that everything had to be poured on the floor before boarding the plane. Ants everywhere! There was not food or even gum in it! :( There was too much lacking for this hotel to bill themselves, as true luxury and perfect privacy/relaxing resort! Waste of money, time & memories! There are other seaside hotels they WILL deliver much more satisfying holiday! Like: Chania Flair Boutique Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton where we had a 5 star experience, effortlessly! It's so sad and disappointing to have to write reviews like this so other guest know exactly what they are getting into before lots the phony smiles and lots of hellos in Greek!

One of the best hotels we’ve ever stayed at! The staff were extremely friendly, welcoming and helpful. The rooms were spotlessly clean and had a wonderful view. We had a truly lovely stay and would definitely recommend this hotel!