Hotel Lord Byron, Forio

Advantages: beautiful location, fantastic staff
Disadvantages: you cannot walk to the city

...We decided to book Spencer on Byron as our first stop in New Zealand as this hotel had the best reviews on a rival site, and was within our budget at about £40 per night. We landed in Auckland at 11 pm, tired after a 24 long trip from London. As Spencer on Byron is right across town, we got a good look of Auckland at night - beautiful. The taxi driver actually asked us how come we had picked that hotel as most tourists want to be closer to the city. At this stage we started to feel a bit worried about our choice, as in my experience taxi drivers are a good source of information on where to go and what to do. However, after a 35-40 minute long drive much of it through green luscious suburbs, we arrived at the hotel. The taxi ride cost us $80, including tips (you do not need to tip in New Zealand, but old habits die hard). As we... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: lovely views with quality accommodation
Disadvantages: small ensuite, not the cheapest

...We recently visited this hotel for the third time in seven years. Over this time the ownership has changed but the service and overall hotel experience has not. Our first visit was back in 1999 when my husband proposed to me so it has very fond memories for us both and our recent visit included our two year old son. For the purpose of this review, I will base it on my recent visit only unless stated otherwise. *** HOTEL OVERVIEW *** Rated three RAC stars, the Georgian hotel is set in two acres of Derbyshire hillside and has spectacular views over Derwent Valley. Built back in the 1750's, the hotel boasts to have been visited by Queen Victoria when she was a princess as well as Lord Byron. *** LOCATION *** It is very easy to find. The hotel is situated just off the A6 on the south side of Matlock Bath in Derbyshire. Turn off... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Gorgeous beaches
Disadvantages: Not a busy, attraction filled place

.... I hadn't heard much about Byron before I got there and my knowledge was limited to the fact that it had a nice beach or two. What I didn't know, however, was how much of a hippy feel the town has, influenced by the pot capital of New South Wales, Nimbin, an hour and a bit away. However this impacts a stay in Byron as little or as much as you want it to, and you can have a 'normal', un-themed beach holiday here easily if that's what you're after. There is a good mix of accommodation including many self catering house and apartment rentals and upmarket (=expensive) hotels, and hostels are only a bit more in larger places - I paid the same as normal but here it was for a 4 bedded dorm with the others rather than a room of my own. I might not rush back to Byron for the simple reason that there's not all that much to do here beyond chilling... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful