Kempinski San Lawrenz Resort & Spa Hotel
, Gozo
Rooms: 106
Reviews - Kempinski San Lawrenz Resort & Spa Hotel
- Age Group: 41 - 50
- From: United Kingdom
- Traveller type: Relaxation Seeker
- Age Group: 31 - 40
- From: United Kingdom
- Traveller type: Family Traveller
Time seems to have stopped 15 years ago...people are frinedly, food authentic, no body is in a hurry...it is an ideal place to relax and recharge your batteries.
The Kempinski in Gozo can only but help you achieve this relax state of mind. The pople were so frienly and helpful, the spa fantastic (both the marine care and the Ayurveda). For sure we will go back
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Historical Traveller Reviews of Kempinski San Lawrenz Resort & Spa Hotel
Excellent, but with a couple caveats
from EuroTrash60San Lawrenz Hotel is a beautiful structure of Gozitan globigerina limestone, warm yellow blocks, just gorgeous. The second wing (condos now for sale!) of the hotel that other travellers were complaining about earlier is finished outside, we heard very little if any construction noise. The noise that disturbed us more than anything were the families with rugrats who disregarded the hotels policy to use the FAMILY POOL area. I got so mad one day, that I complained to the management, and two families were instructed to move their brood to the lower pool. Sorry, but I didn't pay over 2000euros to hear screaming kids in such a peaceful environment. Kempinski would be wise to revisit their policy of even allowing children at this hotel. With a world class spa that charges big bucks, it's just not conducive to having kids underfoot. Ban Kempinski kids program from this hotel PLEASE!
The breakfast buffet was unlike any I have seen before, it was full of local specialties and European fare. A chef prepared omlettes to order. The best evening dinner we had was the first night, an outdoor barbeque with local fish and leg of lamb. One warning about the Italian restaurant, be prepared: it is quite noisy (kids again) and service was rather slow at all of the restaurants, guess they run on island time? One lunch took an hour and a half because of a request for an extra sauce! Food prices are reasonable unless you are using the USD, exchange rate is 3 to 1. Our euro went farther.
Nice highlights of the week: a pedicure, manicure and a four hand Ayurvedic massage that was out of this world. Hotel gave a complimentary yoga and pilates class, and one evening they had a local wine tasting event, not your ordinary wine tasting - each glass was full to the top! Nice touch there guys, we didn't have to buy wine with dinner that night.
Rent a car, it's reasonable, and gives you access to many places that you wouldn't be able to visit without wheels. Restaurant not to miss outside of San Lawrence: Chez Amand in Qbajjar. Best local diving shop, Gozo Aqua Sports in Marsalforn. Other rest. we didn't get to try but were rec'd: Ta Frenc, and It Tulm in Victoria.
Rooms: we had a a junior suite, which was nice because one person could watch TV, while the other could close the thick draperies and sleep or read. Bring your own internet LAN cord if you want to surf the web, and request a room with LAN access. We were originally told that our room had Wifi, but in the end the only area of the hotel that has Wifi is the reception area. The bathroom tub area was one of the grossest I have ever encountered in a 5 star hotel, that turned me off in the beginning. (Black mold around the marble lintel topping the bathrub.) Everytime we took a shower, our tub leaked between the glass enclosure and water always flooded the floor. Plus the fixtures looked pretty beat up. Bring your own hair dryer, forget about the hotels offering. This is why despite everything the hotel did correct I won't give it a 5 star rec. Kempinksi needs to give some of these rooms a facelift IMHO.
We will definitely return to this hotel, we liked it alot better than the crazy pace in the diesel-fume hell of Malta. Despite little hiccups, San Lawrenz has a wonderful setting, the pool outside is just dreamy, the grounds are wonderfully maintained. (I could imagine spending a honeymoon there, in one of the presidential suites, but that would set you back big bucks!)
I'd give this hotel a 4.75 with a quarter point taken off for the bathroom condition, the slow service at times, and the rowdy kids under 12. But then again I am extremely picky about standards, so for many people these things might not be an issue. OVERALL Kempinski San Lawrenz is highly recommended in my book!
Not Bad at all
from UmpsAlthough the Hotel was quiet, we could imagine some of the noise criticisms made by other reviewers if the Hotel was fuller and particularly when the apartments which are part of the complex are full.
My two main criticisms were that we paid for an upgraded Pool view room but the one we had only had a partial view of the pool and the balcony faced, at the side, onto a blank side wall of the hotel. Disappointing when the Hotel was quiet. The other was the weather (not the Hotel's fault of course) it rained heavily every day apart from one. We were lucky that we had a hire car and could get out (ferry across to Malta was a bargain) but otherwise there were only 4 English language channels on the televison three of which were showing more or less the same news and there were no in house movies. Also there was only 1 internet machine which during the bad weather was sometimes occupied for considerable periods. Books and magazines are therefore a must.
We found the trip although not cheap, good value for money and would certainly use Kempinski Hotels again.
Vast yet Intimate
from GenussmenschDue to the largeness of the resort, the distances you have to walk
to get to your room and from it to the various amenities is quite forbidding and it usual involves the use of two or three lifts.
Service was polite and helpful at all times - at the reception in three languages, Maltese, English and German. The offer of foreign language newspapers was scarce.
We did not try the dining at the L'Ortolan restaurant as the menu seemed not inspiring at all, but dinner at the Trattoria was pleasant with good wine by the glass (Maltese or Gozoan, very pleasant reds in particular.) Any complaints were taken care off swiftly and expertly by the restaurant manageress. Breakfast was ample and with a wide choice of cooked and cold items.
Considering the fact that this place is way out of anywhere and Gozo is a long way to come to (bad roads on Malta and a half.hour ferry ride), this place is paradise for a traveller who wants to relax at the well-kept pools and explore the beauties of this small island.
Very pleasant stay, but...
from VladimirV- Breakfast is good , but always the same , after 10 days you just want to go elsewhere to have a different bite. If you are a sweet pastry lover, like most of the Italians are, you might get frustrated…
- Lunch in the garden has a nice setting, bit expensive but good.
- Dinner… just go somewhere else. Way to much money for way to poor food. Take a walk to Jeffrey’s, Rangers, Tatitas or drive to Victoria’s places (It Tmun, The Grapes Wine Bar…) and you’ll be happy , without that “ I’ve been robbed” feeling that Kempinski’s “L’Ortolan” might leave you.
The spa is OK, but prices a bit too high for the services. The “Doctor’s interview and living advice” could be done better by your local bartender… at least he will dedicate you more than 45 seconds…The inside pool is very nice, use it. The gym is very nice and not crowded, and the Pilates and Yoga lessons excellent.
Few tips:
- Never change your money in the hotel , you’re loosing approx 5%
- Never buy your newspapers in the hotel , you’re loosing approx 150%
- If you’re a fan of afternoon siestas, don’t settle for a room overlooking the Family pool… you’ll become a Kid’s hater in 15 min.
If you want to spend your holidays / w-end in Gozo, Kempinski is the place to go!
A place to relax and unwind
from FloydieI had read the rather 'mixed' reviews on this site but my wife and I went with our gut feelings and went ahead with the booking anyway. And we were very glad that we did.
It’s a splendid hotel with great facilities. The Spa is excellent and the choice of treatments and massages is astounding. My wife and I stuck to the more basic massages but they were certainly enough to relax the body and mind. My wife and I are into sports and we have been in dozens of hotel gyms, played on dozens of tennis and squash courts etc and I must say these facilities and the swimming pools were well maintained.
The highlights for us:
- The room, (a good size and quiet - no trouble with the noise as described by others on this site).
- The staff, particularly those on the reception desk, were warm, welcoming and very capable - always happy to assist with restaurant bookings etc.
- We really enjoyed the food at the Trattoria
- The gym which we used frequently was well equipped and quiet
- The breakfasts, like all good restaurants it offers a great breakfast
Gozo itself is a lovely island with some fine local restaurants and, like Malta, it has an amazing history. The only issue we had was getting there from Malta airport. It can be quite a trek – taxi then ferry then another taxi - and the roads and drivers are something of an experience…
If you do decide to take your holidays in Gozo then I would not hesitate to recommend this hotel.
Peace, peace and more peace
from VianneThe hotel has undergone a big construction and now that it seems to have finished it is again a wonderful place to stay if you are looking for a relaxing holiday. The service is good but what impressed me the most was the friendliness of the staff. The always had a smile on their face and were ready to help.
The rooms are simple but spacious with nice balconies and pleasant views of the Gozitan country side. The spa is fantastic! Both the Ayurveda and the marine care treatments were very good.
Good hotel but very noisy actually
from A TripAdvisor MemberLovely hotel - Outstanding staff
from RhiannonLThe staff were fantastic - really attentive, and remembered my name for the whole trip, so it felt really personal. The spa treatments were also amazing if not a little on the pricy side. The hotel was really nice, despite the building work that is going on within the grounds.
The main downsides of it were that I got a bit bored of the food selection within the restaurants; I found the food in the L’Ortolan Restaurant a bit too fussy for me. Secondly, the outside pool was freezing; it was like swimming through icebergs! Weather was great - heat the pool!! Lastly and it is only a minor point but the selection of TV channels were very limited for English speaking programmes and Pay per View movies would have been nice.
Agree with the other comments though that this isn't your traditional 5 star - 4 seems more appropriate in my opinion.
A Great Rip Off!!!!!
from A TripAdvisor MemberLooks good but disappointing...
from FrenchAs the building is made of limestone and the floors are made of tiles, everything is very noisy. And people kept on slamming the doors in the evening and the early morning...
The hotel staff promised that a solution was being developed to avoid the noise, but I can read on recent reports that it is not still the case...
I agree with one of the reviewers to say it's a 4 star place, but not a 5 star one...
Top Local Tips for Gozo
Not only for sun The Kempinski's spa and the great work done by Heritage Malta on the island combine to offer a lot even when the sun doesn't shine. Worth trying an off-season break here – it would be amazing value.
Dining out on Gozo By far the best restaurant we tried was it'Tmun in Victoria (Europe Street, behind the school, tel 215 6667). It had very nice decor and great food and was extremely reasonably priced. We also tried two other so-called 'fine-dining' restaurants near San Lawrenze. Tatitas which was a bit pretentious (silver service) but didn't live up to expectations (had to ask four times for the bill, and some items on menu were unavailable), and Jeffrey's which was rather run-down looking but the food was nice, although the walled garden out the back was very very hot.
Great time to go April May when the wild floers are blooming Wonderful time to go when it is warm but not toasty is April may the walks on this beutiful island are fabulous and you can get round the island on foot, or use the local very cheap bus service
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Other names for Kempinski San Lawrenz Resort & Spa Hotel
- san lawrenz kempinski hotel
- kempinski san lawrenz
- Address: Rosemarie Stagno Navarra, Triq Ir-Rokon, San Lawrenz - Gozo - Grb104 - Malta
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