Stella Maris

PLEASE BEWARE This was a terrible experience. They took payment as soon as we booked, with no refund for cancellation. I suspect that’s connected to the Booking.com description, which doesn’t tell prospective guests they may have to park 40 to 50 minutes’ walk away. They sent access details through Booking.com messaging, but the message may not be read, and I didn’t get an email notification about it. The listing made it sound as if there was a walk to the hotel, but didn’t explain how long or difficult it would be. With no proper directions, my wife and I asked several locals for help and eventually took a boat from Camogli. We reached the property an hour and 40 minutes after parking. The manager showed me the room at reception without saying anything about how hard it had been to find the place. The room itself was adequate, but not worth the 320 euros we paid for one night. The bidet leaked, and getting to the room meant climbing three outdoor flights of uneven steps. A broken hammock was hanging over the walkway. The property seems poorly maintained and in a state of decline. The restaurant was also a letdown. The menu was extremely overpriced and had only fish dishes, with crab and lobster priced from 50 to 320 euros. My wife’s grilled fish was tasteless, and my spaghetti with fish of the day was undercooked. The meal came to 83 euros and was terrible value alongside the room rate. The coffee and croissant the next morning were good, to be fair, but the manager didn’t even say goodbye when we left. For the prices they charge, guests should get accurate information about the location and access, including whether older or vulnerable people can manage the route. The food was expensive, the menu limited, and the dishes bland. There’s no refund policy, and I felt the pricing was simple and pure price gouging. We were disappointed by so many parts of our stay that I’d sincerely tell prospective guests to steer clear. If I could give no stars, I would.

Hotel Stella Maris is in a prime spot in Camogli, overlooking the Ligurian Sea with easy beach access. The views are breathtaking, and it’s well placed for seeing the town and nearby sights, including the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, the Portofino Regional Natural Park, and San Fruttuoso Abbey. Rooms come in several types, from standard and superior rooms to suites, and are comfortable and well appointed. There’s a restaurant serving Italian cuisine, plus a bar where you can have a drink and enjoy the panoramic views. Guests can also use a wellness center with a spa, sauna, and massage treatments, as well as a fitness center.

The terrace has a great view over the lagoon and sea, and the hotel is well worth visiting for the restaurant or an aperitivo. It’s not easy to reach, about a 40 minute walk from San Rocco, but worth the effort. I’d especially suggest it for couples. The one downside was the aperitivo. I ordered two spritzes and they came with only a small bowl of focaccia, cut into little pieces, so that part wasn’t the best.

An incredibly romantic and private hotel with amazing views. You can only get there by boat from Camogli. My room had its own spa with a jacuzzi, sauna, and shower room, and it was stunning.