Hotel Riviera

The location is quite good, and breakfast was solid, actually quite good compared with the rest of the stay. The restaurant women were kind and pleasant, though the reception staff varied by day: sometimes helpful, sometimes not especially friendly. My daily cleaning and fresh towels were positives. But I booked and paid for a superior room and was given one that hadn't been renovated and clearly didn't match that category. I was on the third floor, which seemed wholly untouched: outdated, stuffy, and with an unpleasant, strange smell. Hotel Riviera is advertised as four-star, but I don't think it deserves even three. Realistically, I'd give it around 2+ stars. The room, floor, smell and general standard were disappointing.

We enjoyed relaxing on the terrace with its pleasant side view of the sea. The hotel could do with some renovation, but our stay was still pleasant. Housekeeping on the third floor really stood out: our housekeeper was kind, always smiling, and kept everything spotless. She made the stay special, and I hope the hotel recognizes her work. The location also made getting around easy, right between the old town and Maria Pia beach.

We got more than we expected for such a low price. The hotel is less than a five-minute walk from the beach, has a large pool and was very clean, even the lobby toilet was hygienic to a hospital-like degree. Breakfast was delicious, with barista-made coffee. We booked two adjoining rooms for our family of five and were pleasantly surprised by how nice the place was. Staff were friendly. There was a charging point for electric cars on the premises, but it was occupied when we wanted to use it. No street noise came through, though the walls between rooms weren't well soundproofed. The pool isn't heated, which may be fine in summer; we visited in October. There's no hotel parking, but there are lots of spaces around the block and they seemed safe.

The best cappuccino I've ever had was at breakfast, which was delicious. My wife and I had a wonderful stay at Hotel Riviera. The staff were so polite and friendly, always willing to help. Our room was comfortable and cleaned every day, with fresh towels and sheets provided daily. The beach was a short walk away, and we also loved the pool behind the hotel. It was a fantastic experience.