Hotel Santa Tecla Palace, Catania

Advantages: Very comfortable beds
Disadvantages: Location, Poor room service

...etc. I wished I had booked the Una Palace in Via Etnea, which looked brilliant. It is in the main shopping street with loads of cafes, bars, shops etc. and has a roof terrace which would give brilliant views of the volcano. I thought about moving hotels, but couldn't afford to pay again. My hotel room was very comfortable and clean with a modern bathroom with the usual toiletries. A reasonable buffet breakfast is included in the price. Room service seemed very restricted – although the bar did toasted sandwiches. If you are on a tight budget, advance internet booking on Best Western's website gives good value for money for the Hotel Mediterraneo. However, I don’t think this hotel would suit everyone. It certainly wouldn't impress the girlfriend and I wouldn’t want my mother walking round there on her own at night. The streets were... Read review

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Advantages: Beautiful small city in a dramatic desert and mountain landscape
Disadvantages: Expensive and somewhat pretentious, having lost the laid-back attitude of the past

...pleasing beauty, is a mere reflection of its past. Despite its wonderful museums, its harmonious Spanish-style architecture, and the Indians who still sell their wares in front of the Palace of the Governors on the Plaza, few New Mexicans now live in Santa Fe. It has become a barrio of privilege, reserved primarily for wealthy admirers of what Santa Fe once was--mostly "immigrants" from somewhere else. Please don't misunderstand: I don't mind immigrants or money. As a gringa myself (that is, an Anglo woman of primarily western European extraction), I understand and accept--even rejoice in--the cultural diversity that pervades the Southwest. In my opinion, new blood in any community is pretty much a good thing. What has happened in Santa Fe, however, is that the new arrivals have effectively overrun, displaced, and replaced... Read review

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Advantages: nice location, necessary amenities
Disadvantages: noisy surroundings at times

...Hotel Miranda is a small quaint hotel. the staff are quite friendly, although not always on hand, the hotel can feel desolate at times. The swimming pool is lovely, although not heated so can be cold. The hotel has a nice bar, although quite expensive. Morning buffet breakfast is served with nice simple food which can be eaten on the beautiful terrace. The rooms are quite basic, but hold all the necessary amenities (eg shower, double bed etc. However, at night it can get quite noisy, especially with children staying in the hotel, and with the locals outside. The hotel is situated near to the santa ponsa's tourist and beach area, with all the amenities nearby. However, the hotel is located in what appears to be an alley road, so the smell of rubbish/bins can become quite bad when the whether is hot. I found santa ponsa itself... Read review

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