I was happy with:

* the hotel's situation with views over the harbour to the hilltop village of Castellabate in the distance

* my room which was really large with a delightful balcony looking out over the pool area and kept very clean by the housekeeping staff

* the modern spa where the free hour seemed to vanish in seconds

* the reception staff and some of the restaurant staff who were all very helpful

* the food after we were given our own menu

* the number of loungers around the pool and the beach

* the tour round Castellabate with a very informative guide

* the trip to Paestum with a guide who gave us enough information without overloading us with facts. Both guides were delightful.

* the visit to the buffalo farm where we had the most delicious ice cream made from buffalo milk.

* that we could take the local bus to Santa Maria and Castellabate

* that we could walk to Santa Maria along the coast. It only took about 35 minutes steady walking on a day that wasn't over hot.

I wasn't so keen on:

* the debris at the edge of the beach [looked like tree bark shavings]. It made the beach look very cluttered and uninviting.

* the rolling of the eyes or sighing by a couple of the restaurant staff [it must have been a long, hot summer for them!]

... and the rest

I'm afraid I was very lazy and didn't go on any other trips as this was to be more of a relaxing holiday for me. Those who went on the other trips said that they were good although Amalfi and Ravello was a long way in the bus but worth it.

I used the local bus. It only cost one euro to go to Santa Maria or Castellabate. The latter is a beautiful, hilltop village which I visited again on my last day as I thought it was so atmospheric.

Any little niggles didn't spoil my holiday in the least and I hope those who weren't happy with things will let JY know. I made new friends and, after wishing to go there for almost 3 years, I loved it.

Katy

I remember this holiday well. Only used the private beach once though to do a bit of swimming!

Mark

I've been twice and would happily go back anytime! I do know what you mean about the private beach though. I think it is stuff from the trees near by but it doesn't make the beach look very inviting. Lovely area of Italy. Not sampled the spa yet so you never know! :thumbup:

Are you thinking a third time?

Mark

I've been twice and would happily go back anytime! I do know what you mean about the private beach though. I think it is stuff from the trees near by but it doesn't make the beach look very inviting. Lovely area of Italy. Not sampled the spa yet so you never know! :thumbup:

Are you thinking a third time?

Mark

It's always in the back of my mind Mark because I love the place so much. Just to mooch about, and hopefully have the licquorice ice cream again. 😛

I've been twice and would happily go back anytime! I do know what you mean about the private beach though. I think it is stuff from the trees near by but it doesn't make the beach look very inviting. Lovely area of Italy. Not sampled the spa yet so you never know! :thumbup:

Are you thinking a third time?

Mark

I'd definitely go back again if I felt like a relaxing holiday.

Bosuncat, the Spa area is so modern and relaxing. I'm sure I wasn't in all the different steam and salt rooms downstairs. Upstairs is different again with the jacuzzi, massage jets and rooftop bubble beds.I treated myself to a full body massage too - excellent!

I've been twice and would happily go back anytime! I do know what you mean about the private beach though. I think it is stuff from the trees near by but it doesn't make the beach look very inviting. Lovely area of Italy. Not sampled the spa yet so you never know! :thumbup:

Are you thinking a third time?

Mark

I'd definitely go back again if I felt like a relaxing holiday.

Bosuncat, the Spa area is so modern and relaxing. I'm sure I wasn't in all the different steam and salt rooms downstairs. Upstairs is different again with the jacuzzi, massage jets and rooftop bubble beds.I treated myself to a full body massage too - excellent!

Thanks Rae.

They were more advanced with the Spa the last time I went but have not been since it was finished, so you never know. :thumbup:

Weirdly enough the only complaints I have seen on TA have been about the quality of the food which I don't agree with unless it has changed radically which would be a shame.

Rae. I meant to ask you and forgot. Last time I went the menu at night was buffet and you ordered either fish or meat and it was bought to your table. Have they discontinued that to go back to waiter service? Also did JY have their own set menu? I personally preferred the buffet service (like in the morning), as my one complaint the first time I went was the slowish service at night.

Weirdly enough the only complaints I have seen on TA have been about the quality of the food which I don't agree with unless it has changed radically which would be a shame.

Bosuncat, It was waiter service at night. The first night we didn't get our meal until well after 9pm. They said it was because it was the first night of a new menu. By the time we ate the decibels had increased dramatically as the wine was going down well! There were several complaints re the food even when they decided to give us our own menu for 5 nights. There were 3 choices for starter and main and sometimes an unimaginative choice of two puddings. I was happy with the food. Being gluten intolerant wasn't a big problem. The service speeded up as the week went on.

Rae. I meant to ask you and forgot. Last time I went the menu at night was buffet and you ordered either fish or meat and it was bought to your table. Have they discontinued that to go back to waiter service? Also did JY have their own set menu? I personally preferred the buffet service (like in the morning), as my one complaint the first time I went was the slowish service at night.

Weirdly enough the only complaints I have seen on TA have been about the quality of the food which I don't agree with unless it has changed radically which would be a shame.

Bosuncat, It was waiter service at night. The first night we didn't get our meal until well after 9pm. They said it was because it was the first night of a new menu. By the time we ate the decibels had increased dramatically as the wine was going down well! There were several complaints re the food even when they decided to give us our own menu for 5 nights. There were 3 choices for starter and main and sometimes an unimaginative choice of two puddings. I was happy with the food. Being gluten intolerant wasn't a big problem. The service speeded up as the week went on.

Thanks for that Rae. Slow service is a pain. :thumbup::thumbup:

 [...] Travelling alone is fine, but gets lonely at meal times.

I'm never alone with a book! And, to be honest, I usually end up meeting lovely people which I wouldn't have done, had I had a companion 🙂