Relaxing Break

My family stayed at the San Lawerenze during the childrens October 1/2 term break. We knew that the hotel was closeing the following week for refurbishment, so were a little worried about the standard of service we would experience and the state of the facilitles.

The hotel was very comfortable and the service recieved was generally excellent. We ate in the hotel on 2 evenings, the food was good but the wait between courses was very long. This was not a problem for us, however, I can imagine that family's with younger children this could be an issue.

We ate at Jefferies most other evenings and also the retaurant in San Lawrenze itself, here the service was good and the food cheapier.

We had a great time and would defiantely go back, however, I am not sure that we would want to go during the height of the season, as I am sure the family pool becomes very crowded and the hotel very busy. For us the break and hotel was brillaint as it was quiet and relaxing and very uncomercial.

Good, but not 100%

This is a luxurious resort and ideal for a relaxing break. Stayed last October when the weather was still good. Hardly any children (and they were kept quiet) - the only sound around the pool was water. Very tranquil.

Breakfast is excellent and can't argue with the quality of the restaurants (agree re the bread - finish it and get another basket!), but it was understaffed when we were there and the happy hour was something of a farce with only 2 bar staff - if you got one drink you were lucky. Still, the terrace is very pleasant to wait on.

Jefferies is a good tip for an evening meal, and if you turn left out of the hotel into San Lawrenz there is a small restaurant on the square next to the church (sorry, forgotten the name) that had amazing fresh fish. Both are cheaper than eating at the hotel.

The hotel didn't seem full, but we were unable to book spa treatments, which was disappointing. Even going on the first night, the only times on offer were middle of the day/spreading some of the packages out so that you were unable to go on any day trips. We were told that the hotel will be refurbished and the spa enlarged and a casino added soon - if you definitely want spa treatments (ask for a list from the hotel in advance/Kempinski central reservations), I suggest that you book in advance.

Would return there, but with lower expectations than Kempinski hotels in eg Moscow/Dresden.

Not That Great

I guess it is naive to think that a 5* on Gozo will really live up to expectations which have been set with my experiences in Far Eastern and North American hotels. The Gozo Kempinski really should be pitched as a 4*, albeit one with excellent facilities. On the upside the hotel is in a peaceful location and has very spacious bedrooms and public spaces. You never wait for a good table in the bar or on the restaurant terrace. Staff seemed helpful. The swimming facilities are excellent.

However there were numerous aspects of our stay which could have been better. Firstly the flies ! The whole resort (maybe island) seems to be plagued with persistent little flies. The hotel makes no effort to eliminate these in the public rooms and they were a real irritation when trying to sit on the outside bar terrace. Next up the crashing of doors. The corridors are built of stone - and the bedroom doors literally crash shut - sending a shudder around the hotel and ensuring everyone wakes with a jolt. Then there is the wait until 3.30pm every day for the room to be made up - followed less than an hour later by the chambermaid turning the bedding down for the night ! Next - what is not mentioned in any of their material is that the hotel has a notably poor outlook. From the restaurant and bar terraces and from the rooms the view is of a giant stone quarry and the back of some unsightly houses in nearby San Lawrenz - no sight of the sea. Finally, the restaurants are all disappointing - slow service and over-ambitious cooking that just does not do the job. Luckily there is a very nice local restaurant - Jeffries - which is a short walk around the corner - we went there 3 evenings in the week we were there.

Overall the hotel is a good deal if you get a cheap rate - but don't expect 5* standards.

Return Visit

My wife and I have just returned from our second stay at The Kempinski San Lawrenz. We honeynooned there last year, really enjoyed it, so we decided to celebrate our 1st anniversary there. The hotel gave us a free upgrade to a suite and a nice touch they put us in same room as last year. The weather was a little cooler so we saw more of Gozo (and Comino) - Lovely!, nice villages, good walking and great snorkelling. We read reviews last year and ignored faults as we were on our honeymoon, this year however noticed food/drink was a bit pricey and sound proofing in the rooms is non-existent. However would go back again and reccomend hotel / island to anyone.

Fantastic!!

Fantastic, peacefuly hotel, the rooms were clean, staff friendly and the pool relaxing, my wife and I found this an excellent oportunity to recharge. Families are welcome but they have a seperate pool for children. The food in the restaurant was excellent, although we only ate in the informal restaurant, breakfasts were excellent with a huge variety of fruits, cereals, cold meats/fish & cooked food, although the service is a little laid back but that is life in the med. and this didn't really bother us (happened in both of the restaurants we went to outside the hotel as well). Would definately recommend Jeffries which is a 5 minute walk from the hotel and half the price. WATCH OUT FOR THE COST OF THE POOL BAR. We were also able to hire a car for the whole week with airconditioning for the same price as a single limo transfer from the airport - worth thinking about as Ramla Bay the only beach on Gozo is a long walk (watch out for the Jelly Fish).

A peaceful retreat

I went on a week's spa break to recharge my batteries. Travelling on your own can be tricky, but I found the staff extremely friendly and I was one of several single people staying there, so didn't stand out.

The spa treatments were excellent, but I didn't think much of the yoga teacher. The food was generally very good. I went in November and my bedroom was cold and a bit gloomy.

WARNING bad service,dirty and cheating Hotel

I was booked by my travel agent, me and other three persons to San Lawrez Kimpinski Hotel in Gozo. I was told that it was a nice hotel.

But when we arrived we had a shock and nealy faited. San Lawrez Hotel is not a 5 star hotel bearly 2 star. Away from the sea by 6 Km. and in the middle of nowhere. The staff have no knowledge of education. We were thrown in our rooms like prisinors of war. The rooms leck decoration and hygine, dirty is he right word. I discovered that the linen were not changed and were still smell, hair was on the pillows. I went to cimplaint to the reception and I was told that they were going to change the linen beds. We discovered that even the pool was dirty and all public area. I called my travel agent and he was kind to find us another hotel. I tell every one not to go to this hotel unless he expects one star service. The discription on the webpage of San Lwarenz Hotel is not true and faulce. I and my friends were cheated

A piece of heaven

just enjoyed two weeks of bliss. The spa treatments were so relaxing.

The food was excellent. The hotel staff couldn't have been nicer. This is an enjoyable holiday for anyone who loves peace and quiet. The only complaint I would have is that when you get a courtesy bus anywhere on the island or go across to malta they seem to forget to collect you later, but don't worry taxi's are always on hand to get you home. Any one interested in history really should take the guided tour of malta with a guide, they make the place come alive. Hope they get into the euro money soon. Will return again. 5* service. accommodation and 10* for the people of gozo and malta.

Fabulous hotel

We loved the San Lawrenz Hotel, Kempinski. It is located inland near the village of San Lawrenz. At first they gave us a room on the ground floor and we asked to change to the second floor. The room was large with a separate living room facility and we had a view of the beautiful church in the village.The large pool is gorgeous. Also the outdoor terrace where we had meals was very pleasant.The hotel has an indoor pool which was nice when it rained one day and also a spa.There is a shuttle bus to Ramla Bay which is a very nice beach.Food was good, though service slow. However we did not care about this, as we were in no rush.The bread was fantastic and the staff very friendly. Highly recommended and excellent value.

My trip to Gozo

I have just returned from the San Lawrenz in Gozo and I have to be honest in saying that this was not up to the standard I expected. The hotel on first impressions does look very good. The suite room size was execellent but the rooms were too noisy not being soundproof enough. Ie. All the floors are tiled including the ones in the corridors so you can hear everyone walking past your room and especially the staff with their carts. We were also dissapointed with the service on the first couple of nights in the restraunts. My main course did not arrive for 15 minutes after my partners. Eventually I refused to accept the meal after sharing my girlfriends food. To be fair the service did improve and this may have been something to do with the public holiday on the 21st September.

The leisure facilities are good and the pool area was clean and quiet. For those people with children there was a seperate pool area so that couples could relax around the main pool without being disturbed. Also the spa was very good and I myself enjoyed a very relaxing massage.

The games room was a disaster. This needs looking after and some major updating!

Flies!!!! They seem to have a major problem with these insects so make sure you take some fly spray and a swat if you are travelling in September.

All in all not a bad holiday but could have been better.

AP