We absolutely adored our quick trip (2days) to Rapallo and this charming hotel. Beautiful views,…read moreexcellent service and perfectly located. Drove to Rapallo after spending 3 days at Lake Como (hotel reviewed separately). We arrived on Sunday afternoon (drove in from Como). Upon checking in, weather was perfect so we went out to the pool area for some fresh made Bellini's and to catch some rays. Very nice and large area to lay out. Walked down the steps for a dip in the Sea. The gym is also excellent. Fully stocked with machines and free weights/dumbbells, treadmills and elliptical. Plan was to drive to Portofino for dinner. Being that it was Sunday evening and Mother's Day, traffic was light and parking was easy. Took advice from Angelo at front desk and went to a fabulous restaurant in Portofino "Dai Gemilli". (Amazing! Highly recommend) The next day we caught the ferry and took a trip back to Portofino to see the sights and light shopping. Ferried to Santa Margherita for lunch and walking around and back to our hotel. Will definitely stay here again our next trip to the area.

If you have never stayed at a quality hotel then this will be a fine experience for you. They are…read moreclearly coasting on the beautiful location that they are lucky to have. The hotel is well past it's golden age and it shows. The Excelsior Palace Hotel is a joke and a disgrace to all 5 star hotels. I have been treated better at a truck stop gas station, the staff (aside from a select few) are all extremely unprofessional and unpleasant to be around. They do not listen and talk over you, have an attitude when you ask simple questions and punish you if you ask for help. If you are used to staying at 2-3 star hotels you will have a fine experience. But if you are looking for quality, you won't find it here. Your money will be better spent at a villa or literally anywhere else. I can't say I was satisfied after any meal and was shocked by the high price and dismal portions. I can't speak for the lord byron restaurant because it was closed while I was there. My review on the food is for the beach club restaurant. Additionally, they only offer a buffet style continental breakfast. If you don't care about sick children breathing on all your food before you eat it then enjoy! Whatever the case, I do not recommend this place to anyone and it's baffling to me that they are able to maintain a 5 state status.

Comfortable, luxurious, and convenient. Located just on the edge of town, free parking is offered…read moreto all guests and there is no driving through ZTL zones. The grounds are impeccable and tropical with colors and flowers and palms everywhere. The location is utterly stunning. Up on a cliff a bit over the water, the views reach both ways down the coast. The breakfast room (which also serves as one of the main restaurants) has giant windows that make you feel like you are in a painting. Just a two minute walk and you are on the main boardwalk with all the cafes and restaurants and shops Camogli has to offer. The grocery store, several other cafes, and several produce stores are a short walk up the hill. The private beach sealed the deal for me. Plenty of loungers were always available either on the beach or the little sun decks & jetties and the attendants were happy to set up for either sun or shade. The shore is not sand but small rocks - I had no trouble navigating but many others kept on sandals. There is also a diving platform down the small paved jetty that allowed easy entry into the water if you didn't want to walk in on the rocks. The floating barrier detracted a bit from the scenery but kept the water free of debris. It was also sometimes a little difficult to tell if lounges were available or being saved. The pool was large and clean and had great views from the cliff. Our lunch at the bar was alright, the trofie and shrimp were good but very oily. Breakfast was outstanding - ridiculous selection of pastries, fruits, hot dishes, meats, cheeses, etc. We had dinner once on the property and were treated to an almost private experience in the dining room and a delicious dinner of whole roasted sea bass. We walked to a local pasta shop for lunch and brought it back for a quiet lunch in the hotel garden. Our room was cool and comfortable with a fridge and luxury sized toiletries. Staff was friendly and helpful. I hope someday we can return.

A paradise on the Tyrethian Sea. My wife didn't tell me how much it cost, but it was worth it. The…read moreperfect place to relax, and try to forget the nightmare of traveling from West Palm to Milan. Customs sucks. Traveling sucks. Anyway , the view of the city and and sea is amazing. The room was perfect. The hotel also has a restaurant and a bar that serves drinks and snacks during the beautiful sunset. They have a pool, and a free private beach attached to the hotel. Everyone who worked there were very nice, helpful and diligent with there duties. The hotel is pristine. This was the best hotel I have ever stayed at. Period.

Short visit to Italy and going back to Portofino was my priority along with the Hotel Splendido…read more There aren't too many hotels that are destinations in themselves but this is one of them. Attention to detail is unparalleled among local hotels and the Splendido is in a league by itself. Just relaxing and taking in the views and of course dining were on the agenda and nothing disappointed. We didn't leave much except for a few drives to neighboring towns. Though I just got home I'm already looking forward to going back.

Portofino was the first destination for our trip to Italy last month. Arriving at Splendido after…read morean incredibly long day of travel was absolutely incredible. The views from check in (and our room, and the restaurant, and the gym) are absolutely stunning! The room was cozy and well equipped with a dyson blow dryer and the service throughout our stay was top notch. The breakfast buffet at Belmond hotels is always something that I look forward to and this was no exception. My only note would be that our room was right above the bar area so we could hear the music in the evening until about 12/1 in the morning from our room. If this is something that would be bothersome you may want to request a room further from the bar when you make your reservation.

Excellent food, terrible service from our waiter…read more We came to this hotel restaurant as guests from outside the hotel and were really looking forward to it because we ate here two years ago and it was superb. Unfortunately, this visit was a huge letdown because of our waiter, Menor. On the positive side, the food was excellent. The chefs in the open kitchen were clearly working hard and turning out great dishes, and they deserve a lot of credit. The problem was not the kitchen. The problem was the service. We started with cocktails before dinner, and from that moment on we felt like we were an inconvenience rather than welcome guests. When I simply asked how the tuna was prepared, our waiter, Menor, responded with, "Do you want an introduction to the tuna?" It was sarcastic, disrespectful, and completely out of line. After that, no one offered us wine with our meal, and the food came out in about five minutes, which made the whole dinner feel rushed and dismissive instead of relaxed and enjoyable. It really felt like the restaurant staff didn't care about guests who weren't staying at the hotel, which is very disappointing given how great our experience was the first time.

The location is perfect, the views are stunning, the amenities are fabulous and the service…read moreimpeccable.

Lovely hotel with amazing setting. Room overlooking the sea. Hotel staff very attentive and…read morewelcoming. Food is great and the continental breakfast is a great start to the day. 40 min walk from Porto fino on very scenic walk. Pricey but you get what you pay for. If you want a cheaper place with less service and less cleanliness and not as pristine setting then go for it.

This hotel has a restaurant we anticipated would be exceptional. I had the special of the day…read more Pasta and lobster. The dish should have been brimming with flavor. Lo and behold there was no flavor. The sauce and the lobster were made for people on bland diets. At 36 euros this was a major disappointment to me. Nobody inquired how our food was. The staff asked if we wanted dessert. That was the only communication we had with them. As they say "You can't go through life on good looks alone. A stately hotel such as Miramare can not run their kitchen any less. Disappointed customer being honest.

My wife, 24 year old granddaughter & I stayed one week at Hotel Vesuvio. The hotel is 50 meters…read morefrom the harbor. We stayed on the 3rd floor with a view from our balcony of the water that could not be better. We had a two room unit with A/C, One bedroom had two double beds and second smaller room one single bed. The bath room had a stall shower, toilet, bidet and sink. There is an elevator, breakfast room, front inclosed patio. The owner, manager Luciano did not hesitate to help in every way possible. All car parking is on the street and the parking enforcement police will ticket starting at 8:00am. Luciano helped with parking display recite each day without being asked. The area around the hotel has many fantastic restaurants, gelato shops, pizza shops and retail stores. Breakfast is served from 7:00 to 9:30am containing cold sliced meats, cheese, yogurt, pastries, bread, jellies, coffee, tea, juice. The morning we departed they had breakfast set up for "us" at 5:30am. Across the street is the pier for the ferry boat to Portafino. Our stay at Hotel Vesuvio was one of the best memories we have from our European trip. Thanks Luciano

I will say this refurbished hotel was pretty decent, clean but not plush. As an American, amenities…read moreare sought, but in Europe, you must be flexible or stay home. The room, which could accommodate four overlooked the water and was considered to be a suite with two separated areas. We looked forward to their continental breakfast which was better than some of those I've seen in the States. The staff was just ok, not overly helpful yet polite. We had a luggage problem and I thought they could have handled the matter better. 3.5 stars.

Our experience included a largely unhelpful check-in. If you do park there (30 euro/night), the…read moreparking lot is located off a tiny tiny alley that looks like a walkway to the train station just past the last palm tree. Breakfast was good, but please read the warning signs about the toaster! The mattress was pretty hard, the room had a weird layout, but a nice balcony and the a/c worked well. We were surprised about the lack of a safe and coffee maker in the room.

I wish I could rave about this hotel... It was our first stop on our honeymoon and unfortunately,…read moreeverything was a little off. Our room was very tired. Weird linen bed sheets, old floors and decor, a dangerously old bathroom and a decent view. Service felt insincere form the moment we arrived and it was clear their priority was the guests that have been returning for decades. Rooms are all different but make sure you book a renovated room or you're sure to be greatly disappointed. Beds are uncomfortable and they use scratchy linen sheets. Wifi is terrible and barely worked in the room. The 'gym' was a room with a few cardio machines. The main public rooms of the hotel are so old and really deserve to be touched up. The best part of this hotel is the view from the restaurant and bar, which you do not need to be a guest to enjoy. This is more like a 3 star hotel than a 5 star hotel. I recommend staying at the Domino Piccolo Home for half the price.

The location is what you pay for, and the view does not disappoint. The linens are fretti,(the…read moreother reviewer doesn't understand what good linens are) and every detail is minded. We enjoyed dinner at both the la terrazza and splendid Mare, both had amazing pesto dishes which are local to Leguria. Great service all around and we had a blast at the bar with the piano singer. I would recommend this to any friend looking for a romantic location.

While it didn't look like much from outside, this place is really great once you get in. It's about…read morea 5 or 10 minute walk to the waterfront/Beach or train station, respectively. Plus, its location off the main road makes it nice and quiet at night. Very clean hotel and room, and a crib was set up for our daughter upon arrival. Also of note- the owners are very eco-conscience; all the toiletries, tissues, etc. are made from compostable materials, etc.- it's one of the more progressive hotels we've stayed at! Breakfast was filling and plentiful with Italian espresso made fresh on ordering, with a back patio perfect for enjoying the meal. The owners were extremely friendly and knowledgeable and ready to help us with anything local. They were so nice, they even switched their lobby tv to english, then invited me over so we could watch a movie together. Not to mention my daughter loved their sweetheart little dog and saltwater tank (which boasts both nemo & dori, of course!) This hotel is highly recommended, we will definitely stay here again if we ever find ourselves back in the area.

Very clean, quite, good breakfast in the morning. The owner is very friendly and is happy to answer…read moreall your questions.

Staying at La Torretta felt less like staying at a hotel and more like having our own little home…read moreaway from home in the heart of Manarola. Tucked into the village and surrounded by its charming, traditional character, it gave us a much more local experience of Cinque Terre-- and that ended up being one of my favorite parts. Our room was cozy and intimate, small but incredibly practical, and just perfect for the two of us. The highlight was our little private terrace overlooking the Ligurian Sea. There was something so special about sitting there, espresso in hand, taking in that view and simply watching life unfold around us. One of the most magical moments happened completely unexpectedly. One evening, coming back from a date night dinner, there was a local soccer game happening right in the piazza outside the lodge, in front of the church. We could hear the energy from our terrace and experience this wonderfully authentic slice of village life. It felt intimate, spontaneous, and very special-- one of those travel moments you simply can't plan. Breakfast was wonderful, with everything you could want: fresh pastries, fruit, eggs, coffee and more. And one afternoon, we asked if we could have an espresso on the terrace, and they brought it right to us. That little touch felt so incredibly Italian. The staff was another highlight. Everyone was genuinely warm, attentive, and incredibly helpful, taking care of everything we needed and making the stay feel effortless. La Torretta isn't about a big, flashy hotel experience-- and that's exactly why I loved it. It's about waking up in the middle of a real Ligurian village, having your morning coffee overlooking the sea, and feeling, even if just for a few days, like Manarola is home. A truly charming and intimate stay, and one I would happily return to.

CINQUE TERRE, ITALY LA TORRETTA LODGE - MANOROLA…read more UP FRONT: When you visit Cinque Terre in Italy, (literally "five lands"), you have five choices on where to stay out of the five fishing villages. If you're like most tourists, you're going to visit all of them, but one has to be your "home base". After visiting all of them, I think your best bet is either Manorola or Monterosso. The scenery in both places is astounding. Manorola is small and quiet and has some cliffs you can dive off at the bottom of the hill. Monterosso is a bit more sprawling and has a good stretch of beach. We stayed in Manorola two nights. Got the tip about La Torretta on Trip Advisor. This hotel is a dream. From start to finish, it felt too good to be true. Check in was a breeze - it was only us in the lobby - and we sipped Prosecco on the patio while the front desk copied our passports and finished up the paper work. Our room #7 was at the very top with the most breathtaking view (see photo). Bed was very comfortable, and the bathtub (we didn't use it) is literally the biggest I've ever seen - HUGE. No problems with the room - temperature control was good, mini-bar was complimentary. Be aware there is no phone in the room, and if you need something, you need to go down the steps to the office or call down from the window as you see the hotel staff moving about the property. lol. I did that once, we needed towels for the room, but no phone, so I just called out to the maid while I was standing on the balcony. It worked. The hotel sits on top of the hill. You walk down the hill to all the shops and restaurants. There's everything you need, ATM machine, train station, pharmacy, and more. At the bottom of the hill is the ocean, no beach, but there are places where you can lay out and many people do. There's also swimming allowed and the water is so cold and refreshing. You can dive in from many areas, and climb to the cliffs where you will be afraid to jump, but do it, it's so much fun. It took me 15 minutes to get enough courage to get off the cliff, but with the encouragement of fellow cliff divers, I was able to do it. Kept going back up to the top to do it again. There's breakfast in the mornings, all kinds of goodies - meats and cheeses, croissants, pastries and of course coffee. The hotel staff work hard to make sure you have everything you need. But keep in mind, they are not at the front desk 24/7. They close at 9:30 PM and they weren't clear about that when we checked in - neither did they say there was no phone in room. When we left, we were taking a train at the bottom of the hill, and they brought our luggage down with a golf cart. All the good things that have been said in the reviews are true - nothing hyped up about this place. Worth every dollar we spent on the room. Recommended restaurant around the corner: TRATTORIA DAL BILLY