Hotel Palau in Palau

Hotel Palau is ok at best but is most definitely not 4 stars. For context we stayed for 5 nights and whilst fine would not recommend staying longer as it would become repetitive whilst there are other places to explore (especially on La Maddalena). POOL/POOL AREA: The pool area is fine albeit the pool water stung our eyes, unnaturally so, both immediately and constantly so ensure you have goggles if intending to swim (or put your face underwater even briefly). For context, I swim regularly throughout the year in various pools but the pool water at Hotel Palau had a chemical feel (not usual chlorine) and both my children (not babies nor teenagers) had spots and rashes on their bodies after spending time in the pool. HOTEL SHUTTLE - UNRELIABLE: The hotel shuttle collection from the beach was supposed to be scheduled but despite reception noting our name, room number and time of the return/collection it NEVER arrived on time. On each occasion after 20 minutes of waiting we called the hotel to be informed it was ‘stuck in traffic.’ We knew this to be a lie as it was a 5-minute drive and there was never any traffic. The shuttle in reality only departed further to calling the hotel. HOTEL RECEPTION - VERY POOR SERVICE The reception were to blame for the shuttle service as they were disorganized and quite frankly useless, particularly the older lady with glasses, wavy hair and badly cut, short fringe (whos’ name escapes me). She was rude and took no ownership for issues for which she was clearly at fault. For instance, the day before departing we requested a shuttle to the port at 10am the following morning. This was confirmed albeit for a cost of 10 euros (rather than as a courtesy). We reconfirmed this with the same lady on the day of departure before breakfast. We checked out at 9.45am and paid for the shuttle only to be informed minutes later that the shuttle was fully booked at 10am and that we would either have to wait for it to return or they could arrange a taxi for 35 euros?! This defied belief having booked in ample time, reconfirmed and paid but still the lady at reception (involved at every stage) still attempted to claim this was not her fault?! BREAKFAST: The staff at breakfast were not friendly or welcoming (and lacked any enthusiasm for their work). Smiling, being polite and upbeat would not go amiss. ROOM: The room (101) was dated but adequate however it had very thin walls (meaning we could hear standard conversations from the adjoining room 102) LOCATION: The hotel is a 5-10 minute walk to the restaurants in Palau so benefits from both both quiet and convenient. The walk was fine for us but note for those less mobile the walk back from Palau to the hotel is up a steep and continual incline. The beaches and ferry terminal to La Maddalena are also both a 5 minute drive so location is a plus point. SUMMARY: In summary if expecting a 4 star hotel, room or service lower your expectation, avoid the old lady on reception if at all po