Given the number guests at the hotel at any one time, it is no surprise that there is a large choice of eating and drinking outlets. The main buffet restaurant, Garoé, is actually quite a smart affair, with brand new contemporary furniture and canvas lampshades. The buffet itself offers a large choice of dishes, each one doubled up, with several vegetarian options and plenty for carnivores too! The brand new Specchio Magico à la carte Italian restaurant, just next to the buffet restaurant, is a relatively formal setting nicely decorated and boasting an open kitchen. The food isn't bad, but is unnecessarily over complicated, with too many flavours in some of the dishes. The presentation however is excellent, the service efficient and friendly and it makes a pleasant change from eating at the buffet every night (although you can see this latter through the windows of the restaurant, meaning it loses some of its 'exclusivity'). There is a Spanish à la carte restaurant outside the hotel called La Ballena, as well as a barbeque restaurant by the pool.
In terms of bars there are three options including the pool bar, lobby piano bar and the Big Ben bar (open only in winter where the professional shows take place). The pool bar, which is open during the swimming pool opening hours, serves all kinds of drinks and snacks during the day and has both covered and open air seating. The piano bar is located to one side of the reception and is open in the evenings for entertainment on the ivories.
Amy Adejokun
Section editor
