San Lorenzo - Boutique Hotel & SPA

The hotel seemed lovely at first, and we were excited to stay. But it's in the middle of nowhere, with no nearby town or restaurant, so you'd have to rely on the hotel for food and drinks. We arrived at 4:30 and learned the pool had closed at 4. That was annoying, though we weren't too bothered since we expected to relax in the gardens with the view and a glass of wine. After unpacking, we found the whole outdoor area was unavailable because a wedding was taking place. At reception, they said we could use the downstairs restaurant and its outdoor tables. The restaurant turned out to be a tiny dining room, and the tables outside were in the car park. I chose to complain and check out early. Since I couldn't use any of the facilities I'd paid for during my stay, I asked for a refund. They said the disruption was only for one night, even though I was staying just one night, as if that didn't matter to them. After two hours of trying to work things out, they offered an upgrade to a room with a balcony, but I'd have to pay for it. I thought that was unacceptable. They promised a refund, but haven't issued it and refuse to do so. Then the parking attendant told us to leave immediately so wedding guests could bring their cars in. This hotel is an embarrassment. Don't waste your time or money.

Getting around the area is difficult because of the geography. Without a car, the only way down to the coast is by bus, and the timetable is inconsistent while the stops are hard to follow. The hotel itself is elegant and modern, with a great view, gorgeous pool, and lovely upper terraces. Our standard room had no balcony, though most rooms do. It was clean and spacious, with a nice bathroom and a very comfortable bed. The only issue I noticed was the stylish but nearly useless little refrigerator. It couldn't even fit a 1-liter bottle, and it was broken for the last four of our seven days. The staff were welcoming and capable, from the reception ladies to Stephanie and Gaetano in the restaurant.

The restaurant dishes were top-notch, and the rooms were comfortable. Everyone was very helpful, and the views are fabulous. The drive can get narrow, with sharp turns, though the GPS took me to the right spot. The hotel gives you an alternate route too. Make sure you stick to one route or the other, or you could end up turning onto steep, narrow streets.

The views are gorgeous, and the patio and pool are really nice. Rooms are very neat and tidy, and continental breakfast is a welcome extra. Reception staff were especially kind and helpful. Parking gets busy when events are happening, but the onsite valet does a very good job handling the cars.