Domes Noruz Chania Autograph Collection

Had the pleasure of spending ten nights at this property and loved it. Just far enough outside Chania to be away from the crowds, yet an inexpensive taxi ride into Old Town. The “Wellness Retreat may be a bit cramped for many, but we loved the second floor jacuzzi with ocean view. We found ourselves in it every late afternoon. Solid staff and well maintained property. Plenty of good nearby dining options, avoid Sirroco next store, not good.

We stayed at Domes Noruz for our honeymoon and paid 7,500 for what turned out to be a mediocre hotel. For that price, and a 5-star label, the service just wasn't there.

The sauna and steam room weren't working during our stay. The pools are all unheated, and we arrived during a chilly, stormy stretch, so we couldn't use the hotel's facilities at all. Staff were also hard to deal with: ask more than one question and you get attitude. Housekeeping didn't clean our room properly, and we had to ask for the sheets to be changed.

There were bright spots. Ava gives the best massages, and Christina at the front desk was very helpful with messages and recommendations. Both made a real difference.

Overall, at this price point, the inconsistent service and facilities were a letdown. Don't expect true 5-star hotel service.

We were met by two members of staff who welcomed us and took our suitcases. Checking in was a simple process. Someone came over to us with 2 glasses of fizzy wine. Then we were asked to sign a form, give a bank card and to put a reserve of £350 to pay for upcoming drinks from the mini bar, meals and drinks at the bar.

We were shown to our room. A small welcome bottle of liquor and turkish delight, which was a nice gesture.

Good points. Coffee machine, kettle, iron, hairdryer and fridge in the room. Quite a few drawers and narrow cupboard space. The cleaners were pleasant and did a good job. Nice shower.

Now for the gripes: Not enough clothes space in the wardrobes for two people. Two cupboards on top of the built in wardrobes that could not be used unless we were given a ladder!

The sink is in the middle of the living area and the bath outside by the plunge pool. The weather was awful, so could not have a bath - too cold. Plunge pool to cold. There is a port hole by the bedside wall that you can see into the shower area in line with the toilet, just weird. Mirrors next to the port hole that you could not look into properly as the bedside table was there. No phone charger input on one side of the bed there was on the other side though.

There's is a sign saying 'fitness spot' with a fitness ball. Waste of already, limited space.

Shower and toilet are in the same area. There is one shelf in the shower compartment which has the hotels shampoo etc on. No where in the shower room to hang towels. You would have to remove the hotels toiletries to place prescription creams or shampoo.

No where to dry swim clothes.

On the 2nd day before leaving, whilst we were having breakfast, we were asked for feed back by a member of staff. It was inappropriate as we were eating. However, we talked about the lack of tv channels as weather has been bad and she told us there is a streaming box, no charge. Also said we should not have to pay for sauna or indoor pool, she told us there isn't a charge. Although it says different on the app. 🤨 This information was contradictory. It would have been helpful to be given this information at check in. We did get a streaming box.

Beakfast, it was ok. Really nothing special. Seen similar and far superior food plus more variety at other 5* and 4* hotels.

I am a coffee drinker just when I wake. I had a coffee in my room before breakfast. In the dining area at breakfast, I had to wait for coffee to be served by the waiter. Why not just ask if the guest would like coffe and put a coffee pot on the table with a jug of milk. No coffee machine.

I thought the seating in the restaurant area was way too small and tables were to close to each other. However, I appreciate that seating area outside would have been used in the sunshine.

The hotel accommodates 166 people. The gym has one treadmill inside and one outside. Not adequate if you are a gym bunny. Only one weight station and to get to the weights you would be walking over the mat where someone would be training and impacting their workout. I was not impressed and left disappointed.

When the sun did come out we sat by the pool in the quiet area. We didn't swim as the water was like the plunge pool, way too cold. No one swam in the two pools. What a waste. It seems like the pool and plunge pool are a draw, but what is the point if customers cannot use them. I'd like the owners to try it out. I know we are all different and we all have preferences to what makes a holiday enjoyable. So, in no particular order:

1. Plunge pool - if its warm
2. Swimming pool- if its warm.
3. Food - variety is important.
4. All staff - happy and polite.
5. Room - quite. Spacious. Space for clothes. View.
6. Entertainment.
7. Branded drinks.

Unfortunately only number 4 nearly hit the spot as not all staff were happy. No Bacardi, just awful cheap unbranded white rum. Checking out. We were charged for 2 Espresso Martinis. Wrong cocktails as my husband would not drink this cocktail. Still, could not argue as we had signed it. We didn't check at the time. Just be mindful and check what you sign for. 180€ room tax for 7 nights.

Overall, it was not an awful stay. However, we would not come back or recommend.