Albergo San Lorenzo, Mantova

Advantages: A five-star stay…
Disadvantages: …with just three-star facilities

...simplicity often trumps ritzy ostentation. Attentive service matters, but nothing is nastier than the kind of smarmy obsequiousness that always seems to mask a sneer. And so on. Maybe it's simply down to that indefinable essence known as character or personality. These inconsequential musings are prompted by my trying to pinpoint what it was about the Casa San Blas at Cusco that I liked so much. The hotel is certainly not without its limitations and even its failings, but it's a nevertheless a charming and delightful place to stay. Let's try to summarise what it has to offer. * Location * The Casa San Blas is situated just a few minutes' walk from Cusco's Plaza de Armas (central square), and is therefore convenient for all the main sights of the ancient Inca capital, such as the Qorikancha (Sun Temple), the Cathedral... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: The price, the location, the staff, the rooms, everything
Disadvantages: ...our shower was like needles

...Introduction: So, we're stuck in Albuquerque, and have pretty much seen about as much desert as we can take. We've 'done' all there is to do. With a spare weekend on our hands, we decided to take advantage of our Geographical positioning and take a trip to somewhere on the west coast. I've always wanted to see San Francisco, and after looking into flights, we found some bargains. So off we go. We looked for reasonable hotels, and came across The Petite Auberge, it wasn't the cheapest we found, but it had an appealing charm that won us over, so we booked. Company info: The Petite Auberge is part of the Joie De Vivre chain, I found this information on their website: "Joie de Vivre Hotels is California's largest boutique hotel company. Started in San Francisco in 1987 by Chip Conley, while in his mid-twenties, Joie de... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Superb horses and some great eye candy for the ladies
Disadvantages: Horrible fod, revolting wine, uncomfortable seats and miserable staff

...Castillo San Miguel Tenerife. Links: http://www.castillosanmiguel.com in English, Spanish, French and German. http://www.teneriferesorts.com/any/trwmiguelcastle.aspx Whilst on holiday in Tenerife this summer 2007, our tour representative did a reasonable job on her sales pitch by convincing me to book another of her excursions. Not only had I just booked a Catamaran cruise for an afternoon but I had now also paid my euros to spend an evening at the Castillo San Miguel for a Medieval Evening. I did not visit during the day so cannot comment on what is available at this time. If you are ever holidaying on the island of Tenerife, then please read on before you commit yourself to a very different evening's entertainment. *** Object of the Evening*** Castillo San Miguel covers approximately 6,000 square metres... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful