Domes Lake Algarve, Autograph Collection

Paul Metcalfe

We stayed over Christmas (2023). From the moment we arrived the service was fantastic. Staff were very friendly and do a great job. The food was amazing, they offer so many options, all fresh and nicely presented for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The rooms were very nicely kept and were very comfortable. The grounds were amazing. Just a short walk to the beach and the marina, but just out of the centre of things so it was very quiet. I really didn't want to go home after that, especially with the sun and blue skies. Thank you team for such a great Christmas break.

Pard Kang

Well located , clean , well maintained hotel. The staff are friendly and will endeavour to keep the guests happy. When we first arrived the hotel wasn't too busy and the service was great ! But coming up to New Year's Eve from the 29th December onwards the hotel did get busier and unfortunately the service also dropped (the hotel did get very busy) but the hotel should have been prepared for this knowing it was fully booked. 5 star resort and there were long queues for breakfast, coffee service had dropped (compared to when we first arrived) and the majority of the cold "continental" breakfast and fruits section had run out! Gladly this was on our last day at the resort. Prior to a fully booked resort, there was plenty of good quality and a variety of food choices. The room for a family of 3(Emerald Room), 2 adults and a 3 year old was a bit small for my liking (luggage, pull out bed) for a week's stay. Apart from the size, the room was clean and well maintained, serviced daily to a very high standard. Chocs and water left daily and we also had a bottle of wine with a mix cheese and meat platter left for us one day! Overall great hotel, lovely grounds, top notch service just a bit let down towards the end.

The Boss Hog - Wealth, Health and Betterment

I would describe the hotel as a tad inconsistent but fair value for a mid-range 5*, aimed at young families primarily, which was perfect for us and our 4 year old. We stayed early April 2024 in room 325 for 10 nights, Sapphire Retreat Room with Haute Living. The good about the hotel is the hotel itself, which is a colonial facade with a modern Med inside. The hotel is part of Marriott, and you can tell it has a slightly corporate feel, but as somebody who likes the Sheraton this is no bad thing, whilst my wife was also at home with wood and tiled rooms, which was a nice modern interpretation of Med. She also loved the amenities which I understand were premium as part of our Haute Living upgrade. Staff were also consistently trying their hardest but not always where I'd expect. When guided to our room, no lie, it took 10 minutes and 4 changes of directions for the 2 staff who were still learning the layout. We'd later learn our check-in was rushed and several bits of admin were missed. In general the check-in needs a review and communication with the guest. Similarly we had to call several times to get laundry picked up. I did overhear Reception firmly holding Housekeeping to account on my 2nd day there, where a guest had evidently asked 3 times for their mini-fridge to be topped up, and I got the impression Domes Algarve was still ironing out kinks. The staff were always approachable, friendly and tried, but it felt maybe early in the season and lacking precision in places. I'd also praise the food, which for a largely buffet style offering was great. Tons of choices, which regularly changed, but was consistently good. Kids club was excellent and my daughter loved it, as was the babysitting service that we used for an evening. I would say it's well suited for babies to around 8 year old kids, but I suspect older kids might get bored. In terms of the less good or bad, there were a couple of issues outside of the above. I felt the Haute Living Lounge was a bit underwhelming for what was a 40% cost uplift. Drinks and food were included but was basic, and whilst the website mentions top shelf spirits and wines, the wines were ok and no spirits. Similarly I heard guests saying in the past they could get cocktails from the bar, but not anymore. I feel like if they are going to do a "hotel within a hotel" concept, the upgrade needs to feel more special. I'd rather pay a bit more to not worry about anything. I'd also say the food in the Lounge needed a timing rethink, with it being stopped at 15:00 just as the kids club would drop off, I wish it would run until 15:30. Hilariously, when I commented at 15:20 or so one day to Reception that the buffet in the Lounge looked a bit sad and needed a top up, I was basically told it stops at 15:00, and from that day forward the hotel made sure they cleared everything bang on 15:00, I guess to avoid running it down. Talk about unintended consequences! There was sometimes a staff member in the Lounge and sometimes not, and for me it wasn't clear what their job actually was, or whether they were intended to be our dedicated liaison, who I never felt I actually met. As part of Haute Living, we got an a la carte meal, which was tasty, but it lacked any sort of specialness as it was served in the buffet restaurant. Whilst talking about food, I was surprised when their sommelier, who gave us an enjoyable wine tasting and was parachuted in from Greece to deputize Food and Beverage, was involved in taking food orders and was generally hard to get hold of as he was elsewhere. I would likely have spent more on wine at dinner if I could have chatted more with him, and it felt like a waste. Obvious upsell opportunity was obvious, but missed. I would note in general that several of the senior staff we interacted with were Greek, as is Domes primarily, and they seemed a bit more polished than the newer Portuguese and other staff. I'm mostly nitpicking as I did enjoy the holiday over-all, and I hope this feedback is well received. Would use Domes again, Algarve or Greece.

Tania ZANHAN

I feel like starting by the staff who was exceptional. Very professional, kind, generous team. Every single person we met was welcoming, smiling, helpful. A very special mention for Maria, in charge of eggs during the breakfast. The hôtel was great! Nice Spa , Nice Room, perfect heat of swimming pools. Kind attentions in rooms. The restaurant was OK.

Rewan Rai Parti

Excellent for family vacation. The resort has paddle boarding, kayaking and three different outdoor pool with one pool being heated. The indoor pool, steam and sauna require reservation but are complementary. Their breakfast buffet is excellent and are conveniently located 20 min from Albuferia. The family room has a large double bed joined together and another twin bed for family rooms. The staff and service are spot on, friendly and super courteous.