Guesthouse Hostal Illes Pitiüses (Sant Ferran, Spain)

Guests found that the owner and her colleagues went out of their way to ensure a pleasurable visit. While English wasn't always their strong point, staff worked hard to assist guests and seemed genuinely concerned with creating a fantastic impression.

This hotel was directly in the middle of it all. Nightlife, restaurants, and a lovely square for live music and outdoor movies in the summer was a short stroll away. Perhaps best of all, each of the 22 beaches on the island could be reached after a ten-minute drive.

Guests would stay again for the authentic Spanish vibe that was never over-commercialised or touristic. Repeat guests who had visited years before, commented that it was as though time had stood still, and noted that the restaurant seemed to be a gathering place for young and old locals alike.

Traffic noise could be an issue if you are staying in a room at the front of the building. Some guests had received an insider tip that the back of the hotel was the best choice, and it proved to be right. For the most part, guests said that air-conditioning and closed windows drowned out any noise, but noise sensitive guests might not be as lucky.

Guests could have done with a little more space in rooms and on the balcony. While not necessarily cramped, they were categorised as small by several guests.

While many visitors to Illes Pitiüses found that pictures didn't do the facilities justice, the exception were the rooms. Basic rooms sometimes had older furnishings, but most were willing to overlook this because of clean and comfortable amenities, including a newer bathroom.