Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz

The Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz is a 5-star resort hotel. It stands at the entrance to the village of San Lawrenz, in the west of Gozo. Opened in 1999, it spreads over 30,000 m² of gardens planted with palm trees. Its limestone buildings house 142 rooms, suites and residences. Almost all have a balcony facing the pools, gardens or countryside. The lobby, reception and gastrobar have been renovated. The rooms are being refurbished gradually.

Six restaurants and bars share the site. L’Ortolan serves the breakfast buffet and themed dinners. L-Istorja is the fine-dining restaurant, open in the evening from Tuesday to Saturday. Il-Baldakkin, an à la carte gastrobar, has a terrace facing the sunset. Arja, in the lobby, offers pastries and afternoon tea. In summer, the Gazebo serves sushi and teppanyaki near the pool. The Pool Bar serves cocktails and snacks during the day. Room service runs 24 hours a day.

The hotel has five pools. Three are outdoors, including the main pool, which is for adults only. A family pool has a children’s section. Two indoor pools are heated. The spa, Kempinski The Spa, houses a large Ayurveda centre and an oriental hammam. There is also a sauna, a steam bath and a hot tub. Access is free for guests, excluding treatments. A gym and a tennis court complete the offer.

Families can choose family rooms and residences with a kitchen, with one to three bedrooms. A paid kids’ club welcomes over-3s, from Friday to Sunday. Babysitting is available on request. The thermal areas and the gym are reserved for over-16s.

Recent reviews praise the staff above all. Reception, the breakfast team and the housekeepers receive plenty of praise. Several guests describe special attention for a birthday. The rooms also win unanimous approval: they are large, bright and fitted with very comfortable beds. The renovated rooms and the suites are especially popular. The refurbished lobby and local stone make a good impression from the moment you arrive.

Guests love the peace of the estate, set amid the Gozitan countryside. The palm-fringed pools are another highlight, with sunbeds easy to find. The beautifully kept gardens invite a leisurely stroll. The breakfast buffet is seen as generous and well presented. For dinner, the fine-dining restaurant and the gastrobar score well. The choice remains limited in the evening, however, and it is best to book.

Criticism focuses mainly on the price of the food, considered expensive for the quality. Service by the pool can be slow in summer, with staff sometimes inexperienced. Some rooms have not yet been renovated. The indoor spa and the gym feel dated to some guests. Finally, the hotel is far from the sea and from restaurants. There is no evening entertainment. A few guests also note that the adults-only rule at the main pool is not always respected in summer.

The Kempinski is best suited to couples looking for rest and to families. Wellness lovers will find a full spa and an Ayurveda centre. It is best to hire a car to explore Gozo and its beaches. The free parking makes day trips all the easier. Out of season, the setting is very peaceful, but the atmosphere becomes more subdued. Travellers looking for a beach on the doorstep or nightlife may well be disappointed.

The Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz stands at the entrance to the village of San Lawrenz, in the west of Gozo. Dwejra Bay and its Inland Sea are 2.6 km away. The Ta’ Pinu sanctuary is 2 km away and Victoria, the island’s capital, 4 km. The nearest beach is Xlendi Bay, 6 km away. The red sand beach at Ramla Bay is 9 km away, served by the hotel shuttle.

From Malta, you reach Gozo on the ferry between Ċirkewwa and Mġarr, in about 25 minutes. A fast ferry also links Valletta to Mġarr in 45 minutes. Mġarr harbour is about twenty minutes from the hotel by car. The international airport is about 1 hr 40 away, crossing included. Good to know: a hire car remains the easiest way to get around the island.