Grand Hotel Villa Balbi

This hotel looks impressive from the outside - it was originally a grand villa and is situated on the seafront close to nearby shops and restaurants. The lobby and reception area harks back to a bygone age with painted ceilings and d??cor that would not be out of place in a museum. Thankfully most guest rooms are in a newer extension added at some time. Our room was on the 5th floor facing inland. It was fairly small and sparsely furnished but had a large comfortable kingsize bed. Although there was ample drawer space in the bedside tables and wardrobe yet again hanging space was abysmal. One gets the impression that Italian hoteliers do not expect guests to stay for more than a couple of days. Either that or they want you to pay for their laundry service. The bathroom was also on the small side but at least the walk in shower was roomy. Regarding food the self-service buffet breakfast was ok but we have had better.We only dined in the restaurant on one evening as it closes at the end of September even though the hotel remains open for another week before closing for the winter. On that occasion our meal would have benefitted from being served on hot instead of stone cold plates Outside there is a small swimming pool with sunloungers and parasols and in summer months an area where meals can be taken as an extension to the dining room. Staff at reception were always very helpful and obliging. The hotel is kept very clean and is quite a pleasant place to stay but in our opinion just falls short of the standards one has come to expect from a four star rating

The old man building is impressive but bedrooms in it are to be avoided as these are old and musty (albeit clean). On the other hand rooms in the new extension are fine. Breakfast is good and the restaurant's terrace is lovely with old trees in a beautiful garden (although it is a borderline carpark in high summer). Otherwise, the kitchen is poor. The pool in the garden is a high point and the hotel's location is perfect. So a mixed bag, but if you get the right room and avoid the restaurant it is very pleasant.