Grand Hotel Villa Balbi

I recently had the pleasure of staying at the exquisite Grand Hotel Villa Balbi in Sestri Levante. It was an experience I will never forget. From the moment I arrived, I was blown away by the stunning location and unparalleled hospitality this luxurious hotel offered. The hotel is in a magnificent historical villa, surrounded by lush gardens and overlooking the spectacular Ligurian Sea. The breathtaking views of the sea and the picturesque town of Sestri Levante made my stay even more memorable. Upon arrival, I was greeted by friendly and professional staff, attentive to my every need throughout my stay. Check-in was smooth and efficient. My room was delightful, with a plush, comfortable bed and a spacious bathroom with a rain shower. The room was immaculately clean, and the housekeeping staff went above and beyond to ensure it remained so during my stay. Breakfast was a lavish spread of freshly baked pastries, local cheeses, and various fruits and cereals, providing the perfect start to my day. I took advantage of the hotel's beautiful outdoor pool area. The pool area featured comfortable loungers, allowing for relaxing and soaking up the Mediterranean sun. The true highlight of my stay, however, was the exceptional service provided by the Grand Hotel Villa Balbi staff. They were always friendly, courteous, and eager to assist, making me feel at home. Their professionalism and attention to detail were commendable and contributed significantly to my overall experience. My stay at the Grand Hotel Villa Balbi in Sestri Levante was an unforgettable experience that exceeded my expectations. The stunning location, luxurious accommodations, and exceptional service create a magical and memorable getaway. I wholeheartedly recommend this hotel to anyone seeking a luxurious and relaxing escape on the Italian Riviera.

The hotel is very attractive from the outside, the gardens, the pool and the immediate reception areas. However, once you are past these areas the hotel is showing its age and really needs a complete refurbishment. Breakfast was okay, but nothing to inspire the start of the day. Our room was large and reasonably bright but suffered from the dated decor and fittings of the rest of the hotel.

A wonderful historic hotel located opposite a beach in Sestri Levante and perfectly placed for shops and restaurants and the train station only 10 minutes walk away. We upgraded our room to an Elegance room on the 6th floor and the view was amazing. It meant our room was bigger than others in our tour group which we appreciated. Lots of choice at breakfast and staff very efficient and friendly.

A lovely grand old building in the right location with good facilities and friendly and helpful staff. We stayed here for 10 days but barely used the hotel's bar or dining room apart from breakfast. We did occasionally venture down to the dining room in the evening but on each of our visits there were no diners to be seen despite it being open with all the tables laid and ready. Admittedly this was the second half of September and the season had past its peak, but even so it was very strange! The menu seemed OK with prices similar to other restaurants in town. The cocktail bar was a similar experience with only a handful of guests right through the evening. With plenty of places to eat in town we, like most of the other guests, ventured out to find somewhere with a bit of atmosphere and interest. Like many hotels that occupy grand old buildings it was clear to see that maintenance and upkeep were a constant challenge. Our room was right up on the top floor with only one tiny, old fashioned lift that no more than two can comfortably occupy at a time. The room itself was adequate but needed a few updates here and there. I think the biggest problem was that that the place needed a more active management to get out and talk to the guests. All the staff did there jobs well but it felt more like a Travel Lodge than a warm and welcoming traditional Italian 4 star.