Aurora

I felt at home with this family. They were so warm and cheerful, and very talkative over meals, where the food was good. The rooms were clean, quiet, and comfortable. The Art Deco house has a beautiful outlook over olive-covered hills and the coast, with gardens, orange trees, palms, red roofs, the scent of jasmine, and even an albatross. They’re deeply religious, lovely people. It feels like a one-of-a-kind place, and I almost don’t want to share my favorite spot.

The staff were friendly, and the view was nice from some rooms, though not all of them. It could use some refurbishing, which is pretty common in Liguria.

The terrace is worth going up to for the view, and the owner was warm and helpful. The hotel is open despite being marked closed on Google, and it’s conveniently placed for the beach and central Bordighera. The room, though, was quite worn: cracks across the walls, a wasp nest, broken bathroom tiles, and a squeaky bed. The window wouldn’t shut, which was especially annoying in the wind. The furniture throughout the room and shared spaces is very dated. Breakfast was average, and the croissants weren’t fresh.

This is a quiet, low-key place for anyone who enjoys cats, huge old ficus trees, and interiors with a turn-of-the-century feel. The hotel has a British style and an atmosphere from another era. Service is discreet, with modern en suite bathrooms, TVs, and air conditioning. It’s a short walk from the English Library, about 15 minutes on foot to the sea, and five minutes to Bordighera’s upper town.