Hotel Palazzo Grillo

We found the old town around this hotel safe, quiet, and lovely to wander through, despite the warnings some guides give about being there at night. It was also a handy base for all the places we planned to visit. Staff were always available with directions, suggestions, or whatever else we needed. This is one of my favorite hotels: the historic building has been fitted with modern style and comforts while keeping its character.

The room was roomy and the bed was comfortable, and we liked the hotel's quirky feel. Its spot in the Old Town was just what my wife and I wanted. The staff were friendly and had useful restaurant and travel suggestions. A sofa or a couple of armchairs would have been a nice addition, though. We'd happily stay at Palazzo Grillo again.

Those ceiling frescos are stunning, and the hotel's right in the city center. Our room, though, was very small and awkward to use. The AC wasn't great, and several loud fans in the room made it hard to sleep. Service was fine. Since the hotel is in a pedestrian-only piazza, you have to walk to it, and a taxi can't drop you at the door. Breakfast wasn't part of our rate, so I can't comment on it.

Genoa's narrow alleys, the vicoli throughout the caruggi, can have a lot of urine and feces to see and smell, so be prepared for that. At the hotel, our room was just below the 5th-floor breakfast and commons area, and early footsteps and furniture being moved woke my spouse. I sleep with earplugs, so it didn't bother me. Room 404 was very clean and spacious, and my spouse liked it best of the four hotels we stayed in. The staff were super helpful, and the hotel itself was great. The AC cost it a star. The unit sits behind the curtains, so with them closed, cold air gets trapped and the thermostat reads cooler than the room. We had to keep the curtains at least halfway open to cool things down, which wasn't very private. A mini-split would make this room an easy five stars.