Hôtel La Pietra Restaurant & Spa

I stopped at Hôtel La Pietra around midday for a drink. The bar was open and well stocked, but they wouldn't serve us. I understand that's a business decision, though it struck me as a very stupid one given the high fixed costs of running a hotel. They also refused to let us use the bathroom. That's a human decision. I learned all I needed to know about the place and wouldn't spend a euro there or recommend it. In response to management: yes, I understood that your bar wasn't open. I'd already said that was your business decision, but I think it's idiotic given the passing traffic you mentioned. I'm an investor in hotel properties, and costs are high and fixed. We need every customer we can get to make a profit, and the bar is by far the most profitable part. If overcrowding is a concern, there's an obvious fix: raise prices. But refusing the restroom to someone who honestly tried to be your customer was wrong and unwise for your reputation. Sadly, I qualify as "old" as well as an affluent potential client.

The staff were especially nice and accommodating. The rooms were clean, quiet, and had efficient air conditioning that could be fully controlled. Great food, drinks, and location too.

For what we paid, I wouldn't return. The hotel isn't terrible, but the price isn't justified. Standard rooms and the spa need renovation. There was black mold in the bathroom and on the spa windows, and cleanliness should be a given at over 200€ a night. Our toilet seat was broken from the first day, and the hotel blamed us, though we hadn't broken it. The shelves were dusty and had glass stains. During our 10-day stay, the room cleaning amounted to changing towels and changing the bed sheets once. They didn't refill the soap or clean the bathroom. There were some good points: every room has a terrace and air conditioning, and the beds and pillows were really comfortable. But breakfast was the same every day, and we got tired of it over 10 days. There were no fresh vegetables at all, despite the hotel saying otherwise. The restaurant view is beautiful, though, and makes you feel right by the sea. At first we thought the location was a big advantage. Then we hit heavy traffic from cars heading to or coming from the ferry at the nearby port. One day we parked in the paid lot at the start of the road and walked to avoid sitting in traffic for 20 minutes. Another time it took about 15 minutes to get out of the hotel as cars left the port. This is something to consider since the hotel is on the island just past the port. The rooms also aren't very soundproof. Staff seemed friendly, though we didn't have much chance to give feedback because we had to hand over our key and rush to the airport.

The restaurant food felt very average for the price, especially if you care about quality. It seems you're paying more for the setting and convenience than the meal. Still, the hotel is a lovely place to unwind on the island. It's well placed for the lighthouse and sea views, and the east-facing restaurant and bar are beautiful spots for an evening drink when the sun isn't too strong. The car park is right across the road, and the staff were very helpful.