Hotel President

The room service was very poor. Our room wasn't cleaned during the stay, they didn't top up the coffee or tea, and I had to ask them for a kettle. They also never mentioned that using the wellness area costs extra. The building design is nice, but the rooms don't live up to what I'd expect from a 4-star hotel. Hotel President feels like fake “luxury.” The biggest problem was the pet fee. At reception we were told the dog would cost €15 per day, then at checkout they charged €25 per day. They admitted it was their mistake but didn't refund us. Dogs can't go into the dining area, so you pay €25 a day to leave your pet alone in the room. My dog has separation anxiety, and it was extremely distressing for him. This hotel isn't dog-friendly. I complained to Booking.com about the fee discrepancy, and then the hotel contacted me directly. They repeatedly promised a refund but kept delaying and giving false information. Eventually they said they'd sent the payment, but it never arrived. When I asked for proof, they stopped replying. To me, that clearly points to fraudulent behavior. I'm very disappointed and upset by the service and misleading information. I wouldn't recommend this hotel to anyone, especially pet owners.

Pet owners should avoid this hotel. They mislead you about the fee at check-in, then overcharge you at the end of the stay and don't take responsibility for the mistake. Dogs can't enter the dining area, so you may be paying €25 or more per day to leave your pet locked in the room alone and distressed. The rooms are dirty enough that pets could get sick from it, and dogs with separation anxiety could have an extremely upsetting time. It's a shame to find a hotel like this in a country that's supposed to be pet friendly.

The spa was fantastic, small, spotless, and very well cared for, with emotional showers that were out of this world. The pool was beautiful too, and we went a few times after the beach, which is only a 10 minute walk away. Umbrellas and sunbeds come with the rate if you book directly. We didn't eat at the pool bar or restaurant, which serves food through the day, but most days we got drinks from the two excellent bartenders. We stayed at the President for ten vacation days with my sister. It's a modern hotel, seemingly refurbished recently, tucked among the pine trees in the beautiful Pineta. The cicadas are so loud there they almost sound like a special effect. We had a Classic Room with a balcony facing the pool side, though not directly above it. A huge pine shaded it and was frequented by wood and sparrows. The room was beautifully appointed, with electric kettles, instant coffee, tea, and herbal tea, which is unusual for continental Europe. The bathroom was huge, with a walk-in shower and bidet. Everything was spotless, the cleaning was stellar, and the air conditioning worked very well. The only thing missing was an iron and ironing board. The hotel may offer laundry and ironing, but that doesn't help if you need something pressed quickly for the day. I worked in the room two mornings, and the WiFi was super fast even on a VPN. Our housekeeper came daily and was wonderful. Seeing her each morning was a joy. Breakfast had plenty of variety. Staff kept replenishing things, clearing tables, and keeping an eye on everything. I usually eat vegan, though when travelling I compromise and eat vegetarian. There wasn't much for vegans at the buffet, my only small criticism, but I'm sure they'd offer more if asked. The service was exceptional. Everyone was friendly, helpful, neatly presented in smart uniforms, and seemed to take real pride in the job. I don't take that for granted, since hospitality staff are often students who act as if they're above the work. The whole stay was top notch and really stands out for a hotel in a place like Lignano, which I know well from growing up nearby. One other suggestion: the daytime and evening events could be publicized better. Some are only listed online after scanning a QR code in the room, and signs in the hotel, lobby, or by the lift would be more useful. We're already planning a return, for a longer stay with half board so we don't have to eat at local restaurants, many of which are mediocre. I have no doubt the President's dinner options would be far better. Next time I'll also spend more time at the pool and enjoy more of the facilities.

Everything was amazing, and breakfast was nice. Parking was the only issue, the hotel charges 10€/night for its own private parking.