Hotel Magnolia

The owner was so kind and helpful, and they even handled my son's celiac food needs without any problems. The food was excellent. We also liked the clean, comfortable rooms, the big garden with kids' games and tables for adults, and all the indoor and outdoor shared spaces for spending time, even in bad weather. It's a simple hotel in a great location, and we felt our week was well worth it. We'll be back!

The garden was nicely looked after, with a few play areas for children, and the owners were kind without being intrusive. The room was kept impeccably clean, though it wasn't very big; for the price, it was adequate. We were just a five-minute walk from the sea and close to the shopping streets. Gatteo is a lovely place, with entertainment on the beach all the time. We enjoyed the food, especially lunch, dinner, and dessert. The chef was great, and even my picky daughters, aged 2 and 5, ate well. Breakfast was a letdown, with few choices, and I didn't care for the individually portioned croissants. The shower was much worse: its showerhead was very short, the water came out slowly and was nearly always cold. I had to take my older daughter, who has very long hair, to a hairdresser to get it washed because we couldn't manage it in the room. The room itself was small, but fine for the price. We had a good holiday, just not an excellent one.

We always enjoy a few days at Magnolia. It's a welcoming, family-run place, and the food is delicious in my opinion. They make an effort to accommodate dietary needs. I'm celiac and have always felt well looked after, with no problems. Staff explain what I can and can't take from the generous buffet, though I could eat almost all of it. Breakfast always includes plenty of gluten-free choices.

My family has been coming here for four generations, and we're far from the only ones who return for this classic beach holiday. It's still run by the same family, and the quality has held steady over the decades. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, the food is excellent, and there's parking, a garden for adults and kids, and a spot near the beach. The hotel also has plenty of genuine vintage pieces, but its most valuable thing can't be bought: the warm, natural hospitality.