"Lovely setting next to the pool. At night there are lights and candles and a romantic atmosphere. Menu is limited but there are specials. I had lamb cutlets which were perfectly grilled with salad and green bean sides. Wife's allergy taken seriously with no following reaction."

david robertson

"I was staying at the Corinthia Palace and decided to have lunch at the poolside restaurant, The Secret Garden, on Saturday, 8th November.

To begin with, the ambience around the pool wasn’t ideal – there were crying children and the atmosphere felt less than ideal.

The negroni and margaritas was average, was not cold enough and required more ice to cools the drinks.

We ordered the Chicken Milanese Focaccia (LF) – Deep Fried Breaded Chicken Thigh, Mustard Mayo, Lettuce. Unfortunately, the dish was very disappointing. The choice of chicken thigh made it overly fatty and heavy and also Milanese is meant to be thin usually hammered down to create a fine breadcrumbed piece which was not in this case. The thickness was the original thickness of the piece of the chicken thigh. The entire dish had an unpleasant taste of oil and chicken fat. Overall, the quality was poor and not what I’d expect from a restaurant of this calibre.

We spoke to the team, and Rahul – who I believe is the manager – came over to discuss the issue. He kindly relayed our feedback to the kitchen, though it didn’t seem to be received particularly well. Rahul did offer a round of complimentary drinks, which we appreciated, as we were already having Negronis and Margaritas.

However, when the bill arrived, the food cost had been removed but the drinks – which had been offered as complimentary – were still included on the bill. This created some confusion and left us feeling that communication could have been clearer, especially given the disappointing meal.
I would the staff to be clearer about intend when there is a complaint.

Overall, the pool area itself isn’t particularly enjoyable when the sun isn’t out, though it was fairly busy that Saturday. The food offering feels very basic, more in line with a casual pub menu, and the cocktails were also only average."

Travelling Doc

"The highlight of this restaurant is definitely its space — cozy, well-designed, and perfect for an enjoyable dinner with friends or a romantic evening. The atmosphere feels warm and inviting, making it one of those places you naturally want to linger in.

Service is another strong point. The staff is genuinely friendly and attentive, creating a pleasant dining experience from the moment you arrive.

As for the food, there’s room for improvement. I ordered the pesto gnocchi, which was quite plain in flavor and could benefit from a more balanced seasoning or a richer sauce.

Overall, it’s a lovely spot for the ambiance and service, even if the food could use a touch more refinement to match the quality of the setting."

Alvaro Bernal