This hotel is in one of the best possible locations with great views over the marina or old town. Its tall size makes it really easy to find on first arrival.

It does not have any character or charm but serves its purpose of providing a roof and a clean bed for the night. What I would call a no nonsense hotel.

No problems to report really - though did smell the drains on occassion and very easy to hear neighbours movement.

If you are only in Alghero for a few nights I would reccommend this hotel but for a longer stay I would say you need more comforts eg a balcony or a pool in summer.

During my stay in mid March 2007 the hotel was fairly quiet with a wide range of guests from those like me who were taking the advantage of the new cheap Ryanair flights from UK airports to Alghero, Italian business people, Germans and a number of Chinese/Italians. It was also the overnight hotel for the crew of several airlines.

At 9 floors in height this is one of the tallest buildings in Alghero and dominates this part of town. The exterior and interior design is based on a Catalan style with a 70’s twist. The layout has, on the ground floor, the entrance, a small unused bar, seating area and convention rooms. The first floor houses a restaurant where breakfast is served. Floors 2 to 7 contain standard rooms. Those rooms at the front of the hotel (looking west) on levels 5 and above have spectacular views of the port, the old town and the coastline beyond. These rooms are generally odd numbered. Floor 8 has suites with those at the front having patio windows leading to a small terrace with seating area (guess it might be a bit windy at times!) The 9th floor has another restaurant/ terrace with panoramic views.

Reception was most friendly and helpful. All the staff could speak some English. Two efficient lifts serve all floors.

On arrival I was allocated a room on the 5th floor. This was spacious and clean – but overlooking a parking lot, it had smelly drains, a TV with the standard 5 Italian channels and the security deposit box did not work. The following morning I registered my concerns. Although an offer was made immediately to rectify the faults the hotel insisted that I would be allocated another room.

This would be on the 7th floor. Again very spacious and clean, but this time with a “Bello Vista” of the park, the port and the roof tops of the old town. No smells, a TV with multiple satellite channels including German, French, Spanish and BBC World and a safety deposit box that could be locked!

The furnishings and décor were plain and not at all of the luxury and quality normally associated with a 4 star hotel. Twin beds with side tables, a desk and another unit for the TV with a cupboard below (containing a mini bar), a full length mirror and a couple of upright chairs. A separate wardrobe with ample space and drawers for clothes and storing cases etc. was located in a small “corridor” between the entrance door and the room.

There are no tea and coffee making facilities and so I was glad that I had brought my travel kettle with electrical adaptor.

The bathroom had a full size bath and taps with a hand held shower attachment (I prefer a shower and this arrangement was not ideal for me) bidet, wc and large basin. Always plenty of hottish water. The lighting both in the bathroom and in the bedroom could have been brighter.

Sardinia is not at its warmest in March but the heating in the room was adequate and the radiator in the bathroom was hot. It looked as if the system could be adjusted in summer to cool the room.

The way the hotel has been constructed means that it is inevitable there will be disturbance from noise. For example the use of ceramic tiles on floors. Every time the occupants in the room above me moved a chair I knew about it! There was also some noise from the corridor and from neighbours plumbing. However, insulation from noise of traffic etc. outside was very good.

The corridors are clean and simply decorated. A handy shoe shine machine on each floor.

At this time of year the 9th floor restaurant was not open for business. The one on the first floor advertised opening for lunch and dinner but I don’t think was patronised. The self service continental style breakfast had all the vital ingredients but was uninspiring. If asked the staff will prepare a fresh cappuccino or espresso which was far preferable to the liquid left stewing in pots at the buffet.

The most important factor for me in choosing the hotel was location. It is within 5 minutes of the main shopping area and markets, the old town, the port and lungomare, the park and the area where buses arrive and depart. For convenience there is a supermercato and bancomat across the road and for those who like the taste of home a McDonald’s! The nearest (and best) beaches are to the north of town in the Lido area. A 30 minute walk from the hotel.

Out of season many restaurants and bars are closed but there is still a reasonable selection. The closest to the hotel being the Pesce d’Oro. Not an extensive menu but excellent quality, reasonable prices and a friendly welcome at this family run establishment (dinner with wine from 25 to 30 euros per person). Other options are mainly located in the old town but expect to pay more!

Getting around is easy on foot – but beware of the pavements which are in a bad state of repair. Stray cats and dogs abound and you will also see evidence of this on the paths!

Buses are cheap – tickets for the Orange ones for travel in and around the town are 70 cents. However services are infrequent. Blue buses running to surrounding towns are also good value but I found that timetabling was not really convenient.

There is a train station with services to Sassari but this is 25 to 30 minute walk from the centre, has no taxi rank and there are few connecting bus services. Car hire is an option but parking in Alghero and traffic congestion and road works is a problem.

My solution was to hire a bicycle for 10 euros a day and this allowed me to get to most of the local tourist sites. If you are staying for a week or more and are handy with a spanner and screwdriver check out the local hypermarkets that have been selling mountain bikes for less than 50 euros.

The transfer time from the airport to the town centre is no more than 15 minutes. The hotel organised a limo for my return journey. A bargain at 20 euros. But I could have saved myself 19.30 euros by taking the bus!

As with most things there have to be compromises. In the case of the Hotel Catalunya the town centre location and the views made up for not having some of the luxuries and standards normally associated with a 4 star hotel.

A central hotel /clean linen /a 3 x rather than a four star. Pay extra for a top floor room with great views over the town and marina. or ask for a six floor room with a sea view.
was 21 euros taxi from the airport after ryan air flight bit pricey for 9 km this got us into town very quick so we could get out. but you can get the bus back to the airport (200 yards accross from the park next to the hotel )to connect with your return for 0,70 euros.(buy from tabac shop)but if travelling on a sunday buy your ticket on saturday as alhegro shuts more or less down until 5pm. Also the long distace bus trips go from next to this park all over sardinia if you are planning a longer trip.
(note) The airport has no duty free (no tobacco or spirits)after security or before it. and no bar /coffee shop after you go via security. The hotel put our bags in a room until 5pm after check out at 12. but it was left open so not secure.
There is a wood fired pizza take out on the same street the only one we found in town and great pizza, also next to the hotel is a great supermarket for drink /ie brut (champagne)method traditional at euro 2.99 a bargain.
hotel breakfast is toast and jam/honey/sliced cheese the basics.
served up till 10pm. but the food in the towns restaurants is fantastic and good value. wine 3 euros a glass aver, beer a bottle aver 3 euros. rose wine a good choice at 10 to 15 euros a bottle. good walking shoes a must for the cobbles in the old town. all in all a good two days stay but would avoid sunday if came again. picture from our room window. ps good fridge in room. hotel was 102 euros a night for our stay.

This hotel is well situated in the town. It has some great views out over the town. The hotel is clean. Tthe rooms are fairly large, clean and modern. The bathrooms are nice. A simple continental breakfast is included. Unlike some of the other reviews, we had no problems with theft, and found the reception staff to be very friendly and helpful.