After a two year absence, I returned to the San Marino for my fifth visit, a two week all inclusive holiday April 7-April 21....I was greeted warmly by the Manager Luis and assistant manager Armando. Mauro the hotel porter was his usual friendly self. I found the hotel again, very clean, with ongoing physical improvements to the hotel itself, and the food overall had improved from the last visit.....The bathrooms in the cheaper rooms desperatey need to be updated...but then of course prices go up. I must say they have replaced the mattresses and while firm, they are unlike the concrete blocks of yore that required a call down to the front desk for a foamy....Perhaps I have a little extra padding now as well....Masking regulations had been relaxed somewhat, but after a few days Covid reared its ugly head again, and masks were worn full time by staff, and guests were required to wear them while choosing their food from the buffet, which was dished out by kitchen employees....I actually preferred this as you know only a couple of gloved hands were on the serving spoons, as opposed to possibly hundreds with a self serve buffet....Food waste was cut down as well.....The servers would dish up small to medium portions, but you could always go back for more if you wanted to....I rarely did as the portions served were generous enough for me. Unfortunately due to Covid regulations and the staffing needed to serve guests, the made to order omelettes in the morning were dispensed with....but there was always a good selection of Breakfast items. The servers and chambermaids were friendly and efficient as always and work so very hard.....please tip your servers and chambermaids well.....Samuel, Jesus, Antonio, and the other servers (whose names escape me at the moment) made our holiday that much more pleasant with their great service. We were there of course at a very busy time Semana Santa(Holy week) and the second week of school holidays...so the hotel was crowded....However, they are enforcing the adults only pool rule....so one could have a quiet drink by the adults pool if one desired. They have closed the upper bar permanently......as it is close to the childrens pool, but it may have been due to staff shortages/cost cutting as well. The bartender Edgar still pours a good drink, and still loves to tease gringos....The beachfront and all of Olde Towne were incredibly busy, and the San Marino being by the pier, is anything but quiet. Would I return to the hotel for another holiday?....Probably, its nice being greeted like an old friend when you return to a hotel, and the San Marino remains good value for travellers on a budget, and the hotel fits me like a comfortable old shoe...but I would definately choose a quieter time of the year to visit.....