Once again we return to the BV Borgo Del Principe. This is our third time, and everything is as it was. Consistency is the key to success in the service industry and the Borgo Del Principe hits the spot every time.
Its so nice to be welcomed by the same team that made our last two holidays here effortless. Mauro & Fabiola, the wonderful cleaning ladies, the magical gardener who maintains & keeps the place looking immaculate. The restaurant staff,Giuseppe, Carmen, led by Tomas, who work so hard, and of course Fabio the lifeguard, who takes care of everything beach/pool side.
The hotel is only a 40 minute drive from Lamezia Terme Airport - when hiring a car make sure you check for damage, scratches etc, we went through Avis (via a comparison website) and even though they gave me a great upgrade the vehicle was scratched on every panel. I went back in and said I want it all marked down and they did this no problem.
You could get the train to Zambrone from Lamezia but the train station isn't next to the airport, its a cab or bus ride, and at the other end to get from Zambrone to the hotel its a 10 minute walk downhill.
This time of year (just after the high season, so no animation) the hotel has a lot of tours. Two ways to look at this, they are only in the hotel from 5pm to 6.30am as they are out on the coach seeing the sights of the region, so basically dinner time where they do swarm around the food and then by 9pm they are back in their rooms!
For a few days we ate inside, but in the end we asked Tomas to move us to the gazebo outside as it was quieter. As previously mentioned all the restaurant staff are lovely.
Food wise, its the same formula as previous years, buffet style with more than enough choices.
Breakfast you have a choice of cereals, fruit, bread, sweet pastries, cakes, bacon, scrambled/boiled eggs, hams/salami's, yoghurts.
Juice is concentrate from a machine, and coffee the same although Tomas, or one of his staff (Giuseppe or Carmen) will make you fresh.
Lunch for me is the nicest meal. The restaurant isn't that busy, the anti pasta is as always great, aubergines, courgettes, peppers, onions, all feature in many forms, a choice of three hot and two pasta, so you are never ever hungry (unless you're looking for burgers, pizzas, chips.) some people complain about the food but in all honesty, I've been to 3*Michelin restaurants and there is nothing wrong with the food at the BV (or the wine, its a local produced by CIRO, and extremely drinkable, they keep this stuff well away from export because it really is so nice and easy to drink!)
Dessert is a choice of a couple of freshly made gateaux's or fresh fruit.
Rooms are spotlessly clean, bathrooms are the same as previously mentioned.
The cleaning ladies do a magnificent job and always with a smile and a 'buon giorno'
Beach is great, the sea crystal clear, yes there are pebbles so without beach shoes its painful but you soon master it and by the end you aren't even bothering with your shoes. The view and vast openness is amazing. On a good day Stomboli just sits there smouldering in plain view. Fabio watches over the area and ensures that you don't get pestered too much by the massage girls or jewellery sellers.
Towels you get from reception for a 10 euro deposit, changeable when necessary or bring your own.
At the time of year we go, the Borgo del Principe is just wonderful to relax (and we have a 3yr old boy).
You can really recharge here and that's just one of the reasons why we come back.
We look forward to going a 4th time !