The Domes Lake Resort

Overall, the hotel was nice and we did enjoy our stay. There were some really good aspects, but unfortunately the overall experience didn’t quite feel five star, particularly given the price. There was nothing significantly wrong, rather a number of smaller things which collectively meant it didn’t quite meet our expectations.

Our first impression at check in wasn’t the best. There was quite a wait and we weren’t offered an arrival drink, which is a small touch but something we have generally experienced when arriving at other five star hotels. We also only discovered on our final day that there was an arrival lounge we could have used, which would have been really helpful to have been told about when we arrived. Our first impression probably also wasn’t helped by guests either side of us making complaints while we were checking in.

The room itself was a real positive. It was a very good size and the beds were huge and extremely comfortable. Housekeeping, however, was inconsistent. Our room sometimes wasn’t cleaned until after 4pm, including one day when we had returned to the room for the afternoon. Turndown service was also completely missed on one occasion, which meant we didn’t receive the additional water normally provided.

The food was okay, but unfortunately we wouldn’t describe it as particularly high quality and the buffet selection also felt quite limited as did the pool side restaurant. For a hotel at this price point, we had expected the food offering to be a little more impressive.

Service in the restaurants was also an issue. On one occasion we waited around 10 minutes to enter the buffet despite being the only people in the queue. When we eventually went in, we were told off and told they were extremely busy, despite there only appearing to be around four tables occupied at the time.

Breakfast service was similarly lacking. We regularly had to wait or seek someone out ourselves to order a coffee rather than being offered one when we sat down or shortly after settling at the table. Team members would also regularly cut across guests rather than allowing them to pass and, more generally, we rarely felt greeted or acknowledged. None of these things are major issues individually, but they are the small service touches that we have come to expect from comparable five star hotels.

The pool area was probably our biggest frustration. We visited right at the end of the summer period and would go to the pool after breakfast at around 9.30am, but by then there were often no sunbeds available. Many had simply been reserved with towels and then remained unoccupied for hours. There didn’t appear to be anyone managing this or helping guests find a bed. Given that we experienced this at the very end of the summer season, I imagine it could be particularly difficult during peak periods.

One of the pools was also closed for an entire day during our long weekend and we didn’t always feel the pools were as clean as we would have expected. We also missed the poolside service we have experienced at other five star resorts, such as staff helping guests find a bed or assisting with moving and adjusting parasols.

There were, however, some really lovely aspects to the hotel. The grounds were very well kept, the proximity to the beach was a real plus and we loved the location. Being able to walk to the marina in a short time was particularly nice. Our daughter also used the kids club for one day and really enjoyed it.

For a long weekend, the hotel was absolutely fine and we had an enjoyable holiday. However, I think if we had been staying for a full week we would have come away feeling quite disappointed, particularly given the price point. We travel frequently as a family and have stayed at a number of comparable five star resorts, and unfortunately we feel there are other hotels that offer a much stronger overall experience for a similar price.

It was a nice hotel with some definite positives, but the food, service, consistency and attention to detail stopped it from feeling like a true five star experience for us, and it isn’t somewhere we would choose to return to.

This hotel is fabulous in many ways but also lacking in others - it’s extremely expensive for what you get, and though we had a great 10 nights, we often felt things just weren’t quite there - we often said there is a distinct lack of care……. chaotic check in, we waited 30 minutes to be seen, then our room wasn’t ready until 5:30pm….. the room not cleaned some days and the cleaner apologising but saying she didn’t have time…… waiting for people to take your order, loads of staff but none of them seeming to want to help - when you finally ask for someone to take your order, you then get the wrong meal and drink…… the sunbeds covered in bird poo and water which you have to clean yourself….. the adults pool absolutely filthy and full of dead bugs / debris…… the staff member who swears constantly at colleagues ‘what the f are you doing’ ‘this is an f’ing joke’…… But then the room and huge bed are wonderful - great views. The Lake is beautiful and peaceful, the beach is close by and spectacular, in less than 10 minutes you are on the marina…… the bar is lovely. The grounds are immaculate and the adults area a godsend. Albeit cold and dirty. We did enjoy our holiday, however expected a lot more for the price. It just doesn’t quite hit the mark in many ways unfortunately.

Reviewed 1 week ago We first stayed here 2 years, my 1st experience of a 5 star hotel as part of a summer package. We've since done a couple of other 5* beach holidays and none have come close. The hotel is just incredibly calm and tranquil, even in August. Staff, without exception were helpful and smiley. We had half board this time which I'd recommend as the buffet I felt last time was expensive for what you got. Antonio's Italian was lovely, and it was great we could switch the meal to the pool bar at lunchtime as this was my favourite place to eat (I'm vegetarian). I woke up one morning about 8.30 and headed to the sand pool- I was the 1st person out, no towels on empty loungers (I did see a couple get removed on other days) which on my other reviews anyone can see its a bugbear of mine. We had to check out at 3am and were given a huge breakfast box to take with. I can't recommend highly enough and have every intention of becoming a regular visitor!