Apparently September is the favoured month to visit the Bay of Naples, so we had plenty of company including lots of folk from the USA and Asia – but the hotel population was largely British. Our mini-bus (Mercedes, very comfy) swept into the small car park (if everyone came by car, they may have problems). The sweep of the entrance steps was splendid – but no obvious access for the disabled unless there was a lift in the underground garage. The lobby is bright clean and spacious and the public rooms off give a good impression.
The lift to upper floors goes from the lobby but is cramped – 2 people plus luggage is it. The alternative stairs are wide and easy to access, as are the corridors to the rooms. The room was cool, a blessing as temperatures were above 28'C and the air-con did not seem to work – we did not need it. The bed was two singles pushed together – comfy enough – but the room seemed bare (one chair, very small TV) and the wardrobe was filled with hangers produced by the local dry-cleaner. The bathroom was clean but lacked shelf-space.
Wi-fi worked either in the room or in the lobby – but needed separate passwords. The pool was unheated and remarkably cold given that it was a hot month (we swam in the sea down in town).
The issues emerged at mealtimes – all staff seemed to be engaged in the restaurant so the bar was unattended – it took 20 minutes for someone to appear.
The menu appeared at breakfast – we had to pre-order from a very small selection – and the chef was either taking something interesting or took no pride in what s/he did. By way of example, one meal consisted of cod, white potato and white cabbage in a white cheese sauce – the whole looked (and tasted) insipid. This was a theme repeated throughout the week and we eventually abandoned the (pre-paid) meals and went to the restaurant next door for splendid meals and great service with wine served in half bottles at great prices.
Breakfast in the restaurant was acceptable (not great) but the coffee was undrinkable (and the tea not a lot better). The coffee in the bar (for which we paid) was better but we could not persuade them to serve this in the restaiurant.
I accept that this was a relatively low cost trip but the hotel was out of town with an intermittent public bus service and no pavement for the first 400m – the local drivers took no prisoners. The staff were affable and willing but the kitchen seemed unable to lift its sights – even a follow-up email after the trip produced no response – a pity. I would certainly go back to Sorrento (or Amalfi round the corner) but not to this hotel.
