Hotel Santa Lucia

Having just got back from our stay at the Santa Lucia my partner and I read some of the reviews. Some we agreed with, some we didn't so we wanted to add ours. Firstly the hotel is very well situated, literally a 1 minute walk to the town centre and beach front. It is very clean throughout and we liked the decor both in the room and the hotel generally. Parking (if you hire a car as we did) is virtually impossible in Minori and if you do find a spot, it's at a cost of 30 euros for a 24 hour period. The hotel offers a valet parking at 18 euros for the same time period and were always prompt in getting our car to us when we requested it, so do calculate the cost into your holiday. Many have mentioned the complimentary breakfast being under par but in our experience it was exactly what most other European hotels offer and more than adequate for our need. The one point made I would agree with however, is that the hotel does need to provide some kind of heating/hostess feature for the scrambled eggs and bacon. Unless you were there very early or happened to time your visit with a fresh batch from the kitchen, the food inside was often lukewarm or even cold on one occasion. Outside of that the usual array of croissants, cakes, cold meats, cheese, yogurt, fruit and cereal was on offer every day. The little thing that had the biggest impact for us though was being charged to use the amenities in your room. Having been fortunate to travel extensively both for work and pleasure I appreciate the mini bar will always be in addition to the normal room rate but to be charged to use the tea/coffee facilities (2 euros a time!) for making your own cup of tea in you room just soured the stay. We had booked a room with a balcony and upon arriving thought "A cup of tea/coffee whilst soaking up the atmosphere" would be lovely. Having to pay for something so routine in every other hotel I've stayed in tainted our experience. I even questioned this with the reception desk to be told in 'superior' rooms it is free. So paying over £120.00 per night for a room with a balcony, parking for our car every day with the hotel didn't qualify us for a free cup of tea! I hope the hotel reads these reviews because this very simple matter is what spoils peoples experiences. We actually went to a local supermarket and bought our own tea bags and milk although we were careful to remove the milk from the fridge as the in room guide did suggest a charge would be levied for using the fridge for items other than supplied by the hotel. Some readers may feel this is petty but if you have been wandering around the town for an afternoon, hot and tired and looking for a quick siesta, having to pay just under £2 each! to make your own cup of tea in your room does grate on you. My message to the hotel is simple. You are in a beautiful part of the world with a very nice hotel; don't cheapen the experience for your guests but not offering free tea and coffee. A box of tea bags cost us under 5 euros and lasted us all week....Seriously, you just need to do this.

A two minute walk to the beach and the village center this hotel was a great short stay! We had a nice, standard room with a comfortable bed, private bath and a small balcony overlooking the street that was clean and comfortable. Our reasonable rate included the breakfast buffet (that was very good). The staff was friendly and available. The lobby is beautiful. The hotel was very quiet at night. We loved it! If we are ever in Minori again this will be our place.