Eight Hotel Portofino

The room smelled, cost $1700 a night, and didn’t even have a shower. When we asked at the front desk, they said the only option was to shower in the spa. The clerk was rude and acted as though she was doing us a favor. This was the worst hotel we’ve ever stayed in. Overpriced and the worst place. Do NOT STAY THERE.

For the price, this place has nothing luxurious about it. The room was tiny, and getting to the left side of the bed was difficult. The mattress was awful, with the springs easy to feel. The bathroom was dirty, and the bathrobes were old and torn. There were rough touch-ups all over the walls, and the wardrobe doors looked like they belonged in a hostel. They seem to have replaced a full bath screen with a partial one, but left the old glue and marks behind. The cleaning was abysmal. It’s a shock to find a hotel like this under Small Luxury Hotels.

The location worked well, the hotel staff were friendly and accommodating, and breakfast was good. There’s a sister hotel in Paraggi, about 6-8 minutes away by shuttle. It has a sandy beach, and hotel guests can enjoy the seaside for a fee. I’d highly recommend that. In Room 10, the bed was a good size, probably king size, but much too hard for me. As a side sleeper, I needed more give from the mattress, and the pillows were too flat. For over $1000 a night, I expected a cleaner room and a more comfortable bed and pillows. The shower had open sides, so water spilled out, and there was only one foot towel to soak it up. The room smelled moldy, there was water damage on the wall, and there was mold in the shower. The shower area needs a serious scrub. The water pressure and shower head were good, at least. Even the toilet paper was the same kind you get at the airport, which seemed odd for the price. I wouldn’t stay again if nothing is done about the mattress and pillows. I can overlook the dirty, moldy shower and cheap toilet paper, but I need to sleep comfortably.

The location is great and the staff are very attentive, but this doesn’t feel like a five-star hotel and isn’t worth almost 1000 euros a night. The room quality was so-so, and the TV didn’t work. Sound carries so badly that we could hear a neighbor’s iPhone alarm with two doors closed. The doors have no soundproofing, and it was so loud we wondered if one was open.