Le Pinarello is a comfortable hotel located directly on a safe beach of fine sand, lapped by the translucent blue Med.
Pinarello is one of the most charming resorts on the island. Small boats chug back and forth in the horse-shoe bay while, at its heart, there are just a few restaurants and cafés. The lack of through traffic gives it a laid-back (nigh-on horizontal) ambience - ideal for young families and canoodling couples.
A very basic two-star establishment was recently transformed into the Hotel Le Pinarello, now a stylish building both outside and in, with high quality, boutique-style fittings in neutral, restful colours. The original shell was retained so standard rooms are rather small while superior rooms are only marginally bigger. Suites, however, have thankfully swallowed two of the old size rooms. All the accommodation except the suites have sea view balconies which lose the sun from afternoon onwards.
There are a few amenities to justify the rates, viz: a bar and a terrace for light lunches just above the beach, a ‘well-being’ centre for aromatherapy treatments, a rooftop pool and free loungers on the beach. Not much, you might argue, for the staggeringly high prices charged but few of the hotel’s competitors can offer this kind of bucket-and-spade location. Half-board rates include a tie-up with the excellent Rouf restaurant almost opposite but, with four other bistros within a minute or so's walk, we would prefer for the flexibility of Room Only.