Hotel Casbah Formentera (Es Arenals, Spain)

Everything is so relaxed here, so everyone just ‘goes with the flow' and they are perhaps more accepting of some of the blemishes that exist. Rooms, though, are attractive and well maintained.

Wow! The restaurant, service and food choices are all really impressive. It's difficult to find fault at these prices and with this value. *Put a few feelers out - but you won't find octopus dishes better than these ... anywhere on the island!

When combined, it's all the little things that, when combined, make for a memorable holiday. Say you want to ‘self-cater'; the staff will provide the entire cutlery you need. Ice for drinks? They'll make sure that you get it in Titanic proportions. It's instances like these that will draw you back here.

You can't really argue with the hotel description because, yes, there is a beach, just a few hundred yards away. The fact that it is rotten and useless for swimming and sunbathing means that you need a car or transportation to the nearest usable one.

You can't take glasses into the pool area. This pathetic enjoyment killer is probably geared more to the way ‘we' behave ... rather than any meaninglessly harsh rules on the part of the hotel.

The truth is that, to get to a beach that is attractive, you'll need a car or scooter. It may be some comfort to learn that, wherever you are on the island, some form of transport is essential if you are to take full advantage of the experience.