Covo dei Saraceni

We probably wouldn't choose this hotel again, though it was fine overall. The common areas are pleasant, and breakfast comes with a beautiful sea view. We even had a chance to sit at a table on the private terrace. Breakfast staff seemed distracted and inattentive, while the shuttle drivers and porters were really lovely. Our room was cramped, small, and basic. The terrace gave us some extra space, but the restaurant and bar tents blocked much of the view. The shower was the worst we've ever had: tiny, badly aimed, and it flooded the bathroom every time.

The staff were fantastic, the breakfast was really good, and the location is great. The parking shuttle service was much appreciated. Still, there aren't many comfortable outdoor spots for guests to sit and relax unless you pay for a premium room. Even with the fantastic setting, there aren't many chances to enjoy the views.

I appreciated the hotel's location, free parking, and tuk-tuk service, but the room situation and reception experience were very disappointing. We had requested a Superior Room in the Annex building with a balcony and sea view. Instead, we got a ground-floor room with a window onto a busy public walkway, leaving us with almost no privacy despite paying a premium, $1600 AUD (900 euros), for those extras. When we raised it, the staff were rude and dismissive, showing no empathy. They said rooms are assigned randomly and that they have both balcony and window rooms. The options offered were an inferior room two days later for less money with no partial refund, or an upgrade at an excessive cost. An apology for the misleading advertising, or perhaps a drink at the hotel bar, would have gone a long way. We checked out early for a flight, and I'm still waiting for the breakfast to-go box they promised at check-in.

The view was nice, but the room was small and unimpressive for the price, so we moved to another hotel within an hour. Before that, I found hair stuck at eye level on the shower stall, a dead fly on the shower door, and stains in the toilet left by a previous guest. The manager offered to send housekeeping, but didn't seem to explain what needed attention. They wiped the bathroom floor and left.