Majestic

Breakfast was a real highlight, with lots of high-quality choices and especially a huge selection of cakes. I had a great weekend here. From check-in onward, the attentive staff made us feel welcome. The room was spacious and spotless, with a large balcony overlooking the sea. The bathroom was comfortable, the air conditioning was strong and much appreciated, and I slept incredibly well. You'll need a swim cap for the pool. If you don't bring one, they sell them for €3. The hotel is somewhat far from the train station, though there's a nearby bus stop that makes getting around easy enough. I'd definitely recommend it.

Dinner was the standout for us. We were half-board, and the meal felt like five courses, with three served formally by smart waiters and waitresses at tables set with starched cloths and napkins. Those three courses would fit in at a Michelin restaurant: creative, flavourful, attractive to look at, and served at a good pace. One evening's squid carpaccio was tender and tasty, matched with crunchy, sweet vegetables. We had fun translating the menu each night to figure out the choices, and learned a lot about Italian food. Breakfast was great too, and we could eat outside by the pool. We had a peaceful, modern room in a side wing above the restaurant. The shutters made it properly dark at night. It was cleaned and tidied every morning while we were at breakfast, and the whole hotel was clean and well cared for. The pool isn't huge, but there's enough room to swim plenty of lengths, and the common areas are pleasant. We arrived close to midnight on our first day and the friendly night manager greeted us. The hotel had assured us our late arrival would be fine. Guests can use the FBI gym, about a 20-minute run away. It's one of the best equipped gyms I've visited, and I enjoyed the run as a warmup and cooldown. Signor Boni greets guests and is around morning, noon, and night. The hotel is well run through teamwork and still has the personal feel of family ownership. We'd never stayed in this part of Italy before, and I wasn't sure how I'd feel about all the beach clubs, with their orderly rows of loungers and hotels behind them. But I liked the area. Everything was clean, attractive, and looked after. We walked along the beach each morning. Ravenna and its amazing history are easy to reach by direct bus from a nearby stop, or by train from Cervia. We had a lovely, memorable holiday, made especially good by the hotel.

The hotel was clean and free of dust, which I appreciated, but the stay didn't satisfy us overall. We spent 5 nights here, half of our vacation, and the thin walls made it feel like a school dormitory. We could hear every word and other noises. It eventually became amusing, but it wasn't comfortable. Breakfast never changed, so we ate the same poor selection each day: no vegetables, just one kind each of salami, cheese, and ham, plus overly sweet drinks. Parking costs 15 euros a day at the hotel, or 13 euros a day in the blue zone outside. The hotel doesn't reserve beach loungers, and booking two loungers with an umbrella costs 20-30 euros per day. There were also a lot of rules, including a swim cap requirement for the pool. Without one, you'll be asked to leave the pool. We chose it for the mid-range price of 90 euros per night for two people with breakfast, but its 4.7-star Google rating doesn't match the service and price. That's why I'm giving it two stars.

Dinner was my personal highlight. The kitchen is very good, the menu changes daily, and everything is fresh and good quality. I'd recommend booking dinner. I was here on an off-season business trip, which is relevant to my impression. The hotel seems to date from the 70s but has been modernized. I really liked the lobby, with its attractive layout and modern wooden floor. My room was clean and had a very nice double bed. The room size suited my needs, though others might find it small, especially the rather small bathroom. The bathroom tiles are still from the 70s, but I didn't mind. Cleanliness matters most to me. The staff were friendly and even spoke very good German. Breakfast was Mediterranean style, which isn't my personal favourite since I prefer a northern style, but the espresso was excellent, just the kind of thing I enjoy in Italy. The hotel is clean and pleasant if you don't need much luxury, and dinner is a real highlight. I'm very happy with the price for what you get. It's a modest place, an excellent mid-range hotel with an upper-class kitchen.