Domina Elyros Village

If you get a good deal on this hotel and want somewhere quiet to sit in the sun and swim (and know what to expect) you will probably think its ok. Don’t go expecting it to be a fully all-inclusive campus where you and the kids will be entertained. Also don’t expect it to be English, we were certainly in the minority. You will need to hire a car from the airport for the duration of your stay, its miles from anywhere. There is nothing within walking distance.
The rooms are reasonable but basic, with fridge, good aircon and towels changed every day. Beds are like concrete. Our balcony was communal (more of a shock for my neighbours than me I think) with no view except trees but at least no building work. The pool is large and clean with a deep half and a shallow half, great for kids. The pool area was peaceful with lots of sun beds but there is still the 7am rush to put the towels out. The very clean black shingle beach is 2 minutes walk through the hotel gardens, it is huge and practically deserted. The sea is good for swimming but not paddling. There is a beach shower which is useful. Water sports are good. There is one mini-market on the road which is basic but ok and a taverna that’s not worth visiting.
The all-inclusive package is restricted i.e.: only soft and local drinks, you cannot even buy other drinks until 23:00. Cheese sandwiches are available all day at the pool-bar, no other snacks. The only entertainment is a mini-disco (two songs and musical chairs) twice a week and a disco every night from 23:00 where you have to pay for any drinks (nobody ever goes in here). The bar has no atmosphere (we thought they had cleared it to decorate when we arrived), very few tables either in the bar or in the reception area and only one barman who kept disappearing. Don’t rely on the TV in the room or in the bar as both only have German channels. There was no noise in the hotel rooms except from night-arrivals. Water was always hot and the shower was ok once we had propped it up in its holder. You can rent large, thick beach towels for 3 euros.
There are tennis courts, one pool-table and air-hockey. The food is basic and Greek, not much choice but plenty of desserts at least and trays are refilled regularly. The salad was nice and occasionally the meat was very good. The dining room struggled to accommodate everybody in high season and the queue for the serving area was often long but we always managed. Guests were usually asked to dress appropriately for lunch but sometimes the seats were wet from swimwear.
The staff were great, very helpful even when obviously struggling to cope with the amount of guests. Hotel does not cash travelers cheques, in fact it never even had any coins for the pool table which I thought was a bit strange.

I would give the hotel a 3* rating at most, its certainly not 4* standard, in fact the 4* rating can only be because of the proximity to the beach, the aircon in the rooms and the large pool. Remember the all-inclusive is only the very basic level.
There is a pleasant sea breeze all the time but sometimes this area can be very windy (some days they wouldn’t allow the water sports). Buses were fantastic (new, air-conditioned coaches and very cheap but only every 2 hours!). Taxis wait outside the hotel (8 euros into town).
Loads of shops and bars in Ierapetra, a large bustling town, 10 mins on bus. Makriagalos is 20 mins drive, quaint little village. The trip to Spinalonga/ Elounda was a really good day, sight-seeing, boat-trip, swimming, shopping, bbq, and only an hour on the coach. There is Go-Karting up the road from the hotel (they will come and fetch you in a minibus an include a free drink!). Aqua park is 2 hours drive but very good, a real highlight for the kids. Otherwise there are no other trips within a reasonable distance.
We wouldn’t go again simply because there wasn’t anything to do either in the hotel or locally, its a bit boring for children.