WHAT'S IT LIKE? The Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz is a luxury five-star resort hotel on the island of Gozo. Surrounded by 30,000 sqm of gardens, including an extensive herb garden used by the on-site restaurants, the resort has been sensitively designed to blend in with the local architecture, using yellow limestone in a traditional style to create a village feel – albeit one with several swimming pools and a world-class ayurvedic spa. Also in the grounds are some newly opened private Kempinski Residences.
WHERE IS IT? In San Lawrenz, a 15-minute drive from Mgarr harbour, from where the ferry to Malta arrives and departs. If you are planning on exploring or popping into the capital of Rabat (also known as Victoria), car hire is essential and inexpensive.
ROOM FACILITIES The 122 rooms and suites start from 35 sqm and feature traditional Maltese décor with limestone walls and stone floors. All bedrooms come with either balconies or terraces, air conditioning, a safe, an iron and ironing board, minibar, tea and coffee-making facilities, satellite TV and fast internet access.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS L’ Ortolan is a fine-dining restaurant offering Mediterranean and Maltese cuisine with lots of fresh ingredients. There is the choice of following up a spa treatment with a speciality healthy meal to complement it. Trattoria San Lawrenz is open from March to October, serving Italian cuisine, while the all-day Il-Baldakkin is open year-round for coffee and light snacks.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES There are several venues, including the vaulted Kappella banqueting hall and a selection of smaller meeting rooms.
LEISURE FACILITIES There are five swimming pools, one of which is indoor, a gym, two tennis courts, two squash courts, steam baths and an extensive spa. There are weekly yoga, Pilates, aerobics and aqua aerobics classes, and a kid’s club and baby-sitting service with professional child-minding.
ROOM HIGHLIGHTS All rooms are spacious, bright, airy, and furnished in local style, yet have high-speed internet and satellite TV.
HOW MANY ROOMS? There are 122, including Superior, De Lux, Premium and suites.
PRICE Internet rates for a midweek stay in March started from €75 for a Deluxe room.
CONTACT Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz, Triq ir-Rokon; tel +356 2211 0000; kempinski-gozo.com
VERDICT A luxurious resort hotel combining traditional touches with excellent facilities, ideal for a relaxing break.
Tom Otley
