Gallia Palace Hotel - Relais & Châteaux

What it is not--If you are looking for pre-Roman, very cute town with narrow winding streets, overlooking the Mediterrean, with numerous restarants and lovely churches such as Positano (think Siranuse) or, on a smaller scale, Portofino (think Splendido), Gallia Palace is not for you. What it is--a lovely hotel pearched above the Mediterrean with a beach club right on the beach. It is a fantastic venue for rest and relaxation--which is just what we wanted and needed. We stayed a week. The hotel itself is a very fine property. The rooms are large (we had a small suite with a large balcony). The bathroom was very ample with both bath and shower, bidet and the usual amenities. Maid service was great--they seemed to know when you left for breakfast to clean your room and again when you left for dinner for full turn-down service. Lovely bar with pianist in the evenings, beautiful patio overlooking the swimming pool, game room with pool table and games. Many trees and lovely flowers. Golf and tennis available. Dining room is excellent; food truly superb. Formal--linen, etc. For dinner, men wore trousers, most with coats, some with coat and tie. Women very dressy. Table service was superb. On some nights, we were not in the mood for a formal dinner. There were several places on the beach where one could have a pizza, simple fish or pasta. Speaking of the beach, the hotel's beach club was a ten minute walk, but a shuttle (fully restored VW T1 or similar Fiat that was at your service immediately or within 5 minutes) that took less than 5 minutes to get to or from the beach to the hotel. Beach club food was fine; service good. Guests had access to their own umbrella, lounges and a chair. Life guard on duty. What is really special is the atmosphere. The hotel has been operated by the same family from the beginning and is today managed by two of the founder's grandchildren. They are superb--truly superb--hoteliers. On arrival, you are greeted as if you were cousins from abroad coming for a visit to their home. This attitude characterized the entire staff. We noted that the vast majority of the guests we met had stayed at the Gallia for many--some a great many--years. This is a testament to the hospitality provided by the the Gallia. We will return.

Absolutely superb in every way.A quality location within a short distance of the beach resort where amenities were superb. Interesting attractions locally with the established POLO centre and golf course and range of water sports. The local mini shopping centre had an amazing Art Gallery as well as a range of boutiques.