Tag Archives: Hotels

Hotel San Michele, Capri

A beautiful hotel needs a few prerequisites: such as friendly welcoming staff, a great buffet breakfast, a pool to escape to and well serviced rooms.

Hotel San Michele has all this and an incredible view, which is worthy of staying for if the only reason.

The rooms are well kept and have a nostalgic charm. I had a very small, tiny room on the second floor with possibly the best views of the island. It was room 203 but it was a single bed and so tiny you could NOT swing a cat in there. I affectionately called it my Capri Grotto.

Given the time of year, it was very hot and the pool along side the hotel is free to use for guests, including a beach towel and sun chair. It can get busy so pick the times that you go.

The pool restaurant was definitely a stand out. With fresh fish, yummy salads, attentive staff, I only really discovered it on my last day and of course, the obligatory bellini ( a spritz type drink with prosecco and peach juice).

Not normally a fan of breakfasts nor buffet bars, it’s not something I factor in when considering a hotel. However, the buffet breakfast at Hotel San Michele was exceptional. Not on a Sheraton cook anything you want level, but on another level. Lots of cheese, cold meats and small selection of hot foods. The usual Americana junky breakfast foods. And lots of fruit and salad ingredients.

I don’t normally have breakfast but did enjoy my breakies at the hotel which are included in the price.

I will be going back to stay as the rooms, the views, the staff and pool/bar next door make this an easy place to stay.

Book here.

Hotel Viura La Rioja

This fantastic designer Hotel Viura, in discovered in a small town with 43 wineyards (Bodegas). The Hotel Viura is for that holiday where you don’t want to worry and every detail has been paid attention to and is found between Haro and Logrono.

The baby grand in the foyer

With a living art gallery in the foyer and public spaces it is eye candy for the art lovers.

A roof top has many chez lounges where groups can catch up, where you can take a wine from the bar or lie back and relax reading a book looking up at mountain ranges in the back ground.

Starting from the car park you can literally turn off the car and grab some grapes. The reception is very art nouveau with English speaking staff.

A bar with friendly staff(full of local wines), a dining room downstairs that serves complimentary breakfast and a night time menu. It is “fine dining” ie smaller meal sizes but tasty.

You can get meals in town but a different standard and on Sundays nearly impossible.

The rooms are all different with their own personalities, views and private bathroom and toiletries.

My favourite part of the hotel was the art works and room top bar… oh and the grapes in the car park.

Click here to book directly.

The Pink Coco Gili T

This is my second holiday to Gili T.

It’s a great ferry ride over and we are staying at the north western tip at a hotel called The Pink Coco.

Hotels on Gili are more expensive than Bali – mostly because they can charge more (captured audience) and they have to transport all the goods to the island.

I like the Pink Coco. It is pretty laid back, set out like a hotel but only 2 stories high, and lots of privacy from your deck.

We don’t spend a lot of time in our room anyway, Gili is an island for exploring and having little adventures.

The breakfasts are good – choice of local fare, great juices (try the dragon fruit juice) and they will top up your room with water when you request it.

The only caution about this hotel is the chlorine in the long pool. It turned my hair green. Well blue-green as my friends reassured me!