There are a huge variety of hotels in Crete with Jet2holidays and we were recently lucky enough to try one of their all inclusive holidays. We stayed at the lovely adults only Domes Aulūs Elounda, Curio Collection by Hilton in a Sapphire Nest room.
I must start by saying, that it was a lovely hotel. It’s small enough to feel intimate but never felt crowded and we were always able to comfortably get a sunbed or seat in the restaurant or bar. The room was lovely, and we have reviewed that in full here. All the staff were friendly and helpful and our stay was problem free.
You can see my full video review here:
There are several a la carte restaurants to choose from as well as a buffet restaurant. I’ll cover all the areas of the hotel that we experienced below.
The Island Buffet Restaurant
The buffet restaurant is called The Island and can be found in the main hotel block. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Breakfast included lots of hot favourites such as bacon and sausage as well as fried, scrambled and poached eggs. There was also a large variety of fruit, pastries, cereals and breads. Oh and even some Prosecco so you could make your own Mimosa/Bucks Fizz!
Lunch and dinner always included a pasta dish, grilled meat, a large salad bar, lots of different bread, continental meats and cheeses, soup and lots of dessert. Drinks can also be ordered from the waiting staff and of course are included in your all-inclusive package.
The restaurant always had plenty of comfortable tables available. Even though the hotel was almost at capacity, it never felt crowded anywhere.
There are tables inside The Island in front of huge picture windows with magnificent views as well as tables outside to enjoy eating alfresco.
I took LOTS of photos of the buffet – so if you would like to see more photos, scroll to the bottom of the review to see them.
Blu Bar
The Blu Bar can be found just above the main hotel reception. It is large with lots of very comfortable chairs and sofas.
There is a further room as part of the bar with a large screen where I imagine they might screen sporting events. On our first night it was the Eurovision song contest that was being shown.
There was also a ‘library’ in that room (easy to miss if you don’t head up there). It looked to me a place where visitors left their books for future guests – which I always think is a fabulous thing to do.
To the left of the bar there is a drinks menu if you want to see what’s available (as there is a lot available!). I’ve posted a page of this below, but you can see the full menu in photos at the end of this review.
In this bar you will also find a Grab and Go, which is a large fridge with lots of different soft drink cans as well as some alcoholic mixers such as gin and yuzu and some vodka drinks.
The fridges are very close to the pool so this is a really handy thing to have and also nice to grab a drink to take back to the room. There is also a water station where you can grab bottles of water.
You will also find a self-serve coffee machine here too.
Bar Snacks
Above the water station, you will also find a bar snack menu during the day. This is great if you don’t want to visit the buffet restaurant and just stay on your sun bed. Or if you did visit the buffet restaurant at lunch time and then wanted a cheeky snack halfway between dinner and tea (guilty!).
You will find options such as katsu curry chicken sandwiches or pulled pork sandwiches with chips, Caesar salad or burgers. They are happy just to bring out a bowl of chips too!
Pool Area
The pool area is lovely, I got a great shot of it as sunset from Yellow Sea on the roof terrace.
There are lots of comfortable sunbeds around the swimming pool and we didn’t have a problem ever finding a spot. Pool towels are provided in your room, but if you forget to bring it down and ask nicely, the staff will fetch you one from housekeeping.
There are plenty of beds in the sun and some in the shade. If you don’t find a sunbed in the shade and would like one, each pair of sunbeds has a parasol. These are quite difficult to put up but hopefully someone will give you a hand if you need one (I speak from experience, the life guard was very helpful!).
If you are very, very lucky you might even get a lap warmer in the shape of the hotel cat. (I love cats and encouraged this – if you don’t love cats, you don’t need to worry, this was the only cat around the hotel and she didn’t bother anyone unsolicited).
Shuttle/Golf Buggies
The hotel is large and spread out up a hill. Fortunately shuttles are provided up and down the hill as it really is very steep!
There are both cars and golf buggies that will shuttle you up and down. You do rather take your life into your own hands riding uphill on the back of the golf buggy, so make sure you hold on tight! Definitely don’t do it after a few Ouzos! This is my friend Mel outside our room, you can see the slope of the hill!
Cool Living
At the very top of the hill is the Cool Living area, which a premium area with its own pool and bar/restaurant. We did speak to a couple of people who were staying in this part of the hotel and they said it was very nice. They also said that you could pay for a day pass to use the facilities for the day. This they said was around £25 each.
Amphitheatre
At the very top of the main building, you will find an a la carte restaurant and the amphitheatre area. This is a very luxurious, staged seating area with lots of comfortable seating and bean bags.
There is a bar here also that caters to the amphitheatre staging area.
Yellow Sea Restaurant
The a la carte restaurant at the top of the main building doubles up depending on what night you visit. This is both the Pitta restaurant and Yellow Sea.
We visited when it was Yellow Sea, an Asian inspired sushi restaurant. We had a lovely meal here and tried the tempura chicken, gyozas and noodle salad.
The food was excellent but the star of the show was the views from the top of the building – they were absolutely stunning!
Spa
There is a small but plush spa at the hotel comprising of a raised swimming pool and hot tub and lots of comfortable loungers in a calm and zen environment.
Gym
Next door to the spa you will find a gym. This isn’t somewhere you will find me however, but if that’s your sort of thing I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!
Private Beach
Domes Aulūs Elounda, Curio Collection by Hilton has its own private beach with lots of comfortable sunbeds.
Here you will find a beach bar.
As well as another Grab and Go where you can help yourself to cold soft drinks as well as beer and sandwiches.
There are also toilets available somewhere on the beach although we didn’t see them. The beach is shingle so I would recommend wearing your sandals to go into the sea as it’s quite rocky. Beautiful views though!
On site shop
There is an on-site shop below Blu Bar which carries lots of beach related items, souvenirs, snacks and toiletries (in case you have forgotten anything).
Late Check Out
Our return Jet2 flight was very late at night and our transfer didn’t pick us up until just gone 8:00 p.m. You can request a late checkout, it really just depends on availability. We were lucky and were allowed a 3pm check out.
If for any reason the late checkout isn’t available, you are very welcome to use all of the facilities, including the food and drink on your day of departure. You are also welcome to use the spa to shower and freshen up if you spend your last day on the beach. The spa closed at 6:00 p.m. Which was a perfect time for us to have a shower before our final supper!
More photos of The Island Buffet
What drinks are included on the all inclusive plan?
I have included photos of the all inclusive drinks menu. Unless there is a price against a drink, it is included in the all-inclusive plan.
We were invited to travel with Jet2Holidays for the purposes of this review. As always, all opinions are my own.
