Hotel Calabona - Alghero, Italy 

We stayed at Hotel Calabona for 3 nights in June 2008 on a Page & Moy package trip and were really disappointed. The rooms were very small and basic, but clean. The hotel has no ambience at all. This goes from the dark reception to the souless bar. The breakfast was poor and as we were booked on a half board deal we had dinner there which was pretty second rate and which was served in a totally dismal dining room. The waitresses just wanted to get the meals served asap, they were probably upset that they had to serve us as, other than a couple of other tables, our group were the only ones taking dinner, everyone else went into town for their evening meal. Alghero is an interesting town about an easy 15 -1 20 mins. walk from the hotel but the area of the hotel is not very attractive. The beach is very small and rocky so we used the hotel pool which was fine. The bar staff were very pleasant and the air conditioning in the room worked well, not noisy, but that's as good as it gets. How this is classed as a 4 star is beyond me. It does not at all compare with the Hotel Gabbiano Azzurro (4 star) in Golfo degli Aranci where we also stayed.

I loved this hotel. I read the mixed reviews before hand . I stay at many hotels with my job all over the world and for service and cleanliness I would put this in the top 5 for Europe. My husband and I thought that the staff were excellent ,worked as a team and obviously had pride in their work. The rooms were small but modern (Flat screen TV, mini bar, safe and hairdryer, wonderful views) and above all spotless. My husband even filled the questionnaire which he never does! Wonderful Olympic pool (2m 8 at one end), also a baby pool, children’s indoor and outdoor play areas. The food was good with Breakfast on a terrace overlooking the sea and lunch by the pool .Good value for money as a bottle of Rose was 10 euros! Severed by a chap that had a wonderful sense of humour. We were made to feel at home and relaxed and I liked that ,instead of a stuffy 4 stars that I have been in with work. A quiet situation with no road noise and very relaxing.