Solana Hotel & Spa

The hotel felt peaceful and quiet, though its location was quite out of the way for sightseeing. It was easy enough to get around from there. The place was very clean, and the staff were nice and accommodating. Pool access came with our room, and the rooftop had an incredible view. The spa was great, but costs extra.

We found Uber better priced than taxis, and it saved us waiting for the bus, though there is a good bus service. The hotel sits about two thirds of the way up a steep hill. Reception staff were wonderful, polite, professional, and helpful. We enjoyed a very relaxing couples massage in the lovely spa. Each night the main dining room had a themed buffet that was good value, and breakfast offered plenty of choice. Prickly Pear was nice for a snack and drink, but out of season it can feel chilly because the automatic door keeps opening.

The beds were really comfortable, and the rooms a good size. The hotel was always tidy and clean, with helpful staff who greeted us with a smile. We ate well at the prickly pear, where the staff were friendly and kind, and the cleaners did a fine job and were accommodating. The website mentioned an infinity pool, which wasn't there, but that didn't spoil our holiday. A perfect hotel with a great bunch of staff.

The food was a real highlight: both buffet breakfast and dinner were plentiful and delicious. Breakfast stayed the same over our three days, while dinner changed theme each night. Sandi was especially kind and attentive. The lobby looked beautiful, and when we arrived early to leave our bags, reception handled them well. Check-in after 3 PM was quick and friendly. Our mid-sized room had a sofa and balcony with a partial sea view, which we liked at first. Then we found the signal was absent and the Wi-Fi was so poor we could barely use our phones. Worse, a stale smell kept coming back, so we left the ventilation fan on all night. There was also a large gap under the door, and cold seemed to come through the windows. The sauna felt a little small for the number of guests, but was otherwise fine. The single indoor pool was limited too, though there are two more on the roof for summer. It was too cold to use those during our stay. The rooftop bar staff were lovely and the cocktails good. At the downstairs 'Prickly Pear' bar, though, we tried to order a drink one evening and nobody came over to serve us. With these issues, I'd give the hotel four stars.