Excelsior Palace Hotel

From the minute we arrived it was all we remembered from our January visit. Our room was to die for - beautifully decorated and with stunning views to the bay in Rapallo and to the sea. All the hotel staff are so lovely and accommodating. The bar is great fun with ample snacks with any drink order and we loved dining in the restaurant again. Marco and his team are first class. The location is the perfect base for Rapallo old town (best deli ever and some great cafes and restaurants) Cinque Terre with the Rapallo train station 15 mins away and local gems such as Portofino and Santa Maria Ligure in walking distance if you are up for a long walk - a short taxi otherwise. Despite average weather for October the 5 days we stayed there, we love, love, love this hotel and can’t wait to return soon. It truly is perfection.

The Excelsior is a hotel I particularly wanted to stay in. Reviews I read were pretty accurate so no surprises. Sadly whilst not uncomfortable the general ambience was not comfortable for me (reminiscent of childhood holidays in a bygone age). Reception and restaurant staff were ruthlessly efficient but not always helpful. We were charged for someone else’s bar bill which was rectified quickly. Angelo however was quite wonderful and brings character which is lacking when he isn’t there. The yacht bar staff were helpful and friendly and the housekeeping staff were delightful and do an excellent job. The views from the sun deck are stunning and afternoons spent next to the sea were the real benefit of staying here (and the Baci biscotti they leave during turn down in the evening!) Our room was a good size, well appointed with a balcony overlooking the car park with a partial sea view. Beds were comfortable and we slept well. The bathroom was in need of refurbishment but acceptable. It is an easy walk into Rapello (apart from the steep hotel drive to climb on return). There was a lot of strutting going on in the hotel by young women with high heels and little dogs and instagrammers were annoying on a couple of occasions. Breakfast however was fascinating for people watching! In summation, it’s a lovely hotel but my expectations were too high partly due to the cost (which may be down to the travel agent tbf) and I was a little disappointed but this was tempered by how good most of the staff were and the position of the hotel overlooking Portofino Bay.

The old grande dame of Rappallo, we were expecting great things of this iconic hotel on the coast. Indeed the main public rooms are grand and impressive although outside space for sitting was limited. Our room was tiny and ill-furnished, facing the car park, it cost way too much. The food in the restaurant was adequate but mediocre, certainly not special. This place s living on past glories and needs to wake up...

This hotel was spectacular. It was wonderfully, if not decadently and palatially, furnished throughout its lobby, in the hallways, in its dining areas, and when I opened the door to my upper level room with a water view and terrace, I was stunned. The room was not the largest, but it was furnished beautifully and thoroughly with every amenity, including a writing desk, lovely bathtub, plenty of storage, and more. The bed and other furnishings made me feel like a princess, which was the reason for this trip--to celebrate a milestone birthday. The view of the sea and coastline was stunning from my room and around the property. The breakfast buffet was special as was the ambience in the dining area. You could sit inside or outside on a large terrace overlooking the sea and cliffside coastline communities. Cute little bar off the lobby. I booked a massage (reasonably priced); however, two construction workers on the other side of the massage room refused to comply with management's request to cease operating loud machinery. The disturbance was so great, the therapist spoke to the front desk on my behalf, and the fee was waived. However, I would definitely stay at this property again. I walked along the coastline to Santa Marguerita and back in about 30 minutes each way. A convenient train ride to Camoglia (highly recommended) and up the Portofino Coast as well as south to Cinque Terre. The hotel was reasonably priced for the amenities. However, there were two negatives: menu prices were exorbitant, although I enjoyed eating out on my excursions. The other is the hotel entry is up a steep and winding path/driveway. Another visitor asked if I knew an alternative to get to and from the property. I inquired from the desk and was told there was no other way. I didn't mind the walk as it is close to the train station. But my arrival toting a suitcase and backpack up that path was quite formidable. I would have taken a taxi had I known. I took one when I left.

Stunning property with exceptional service. Loved our stay at this magnificent hotel. Walking distance to the town of Rapallo with many eateries, shops and attractions. The accommodations were comfortable. Fantastic breakfast at the restaurant every morning. The views from our balcony were spectacular.