Cristallo Park Hotel

The staff made us feel completely at ease, from Sarah at reception to Jessica, whose thoughtfulness and kindness stood out. Our room was spacious and comfortable, with white marble and lovely light. We woke to the island in view and the first light touching the sea, like being inside a Michelangelo painting. A peaceful, restorative spot near the 5 Terres. We didn't want to leave.

The staff were friendly, helpful, and very nice, and the restaurant is a great choice if you want good food with a beautiful view. The hotel's own view is stunning too, but there are several drawbacks. The rooms aren't well soundproofed, so we could make out most of what the neighbors were saying. Shared balconies have no privacy divider, meaning neighbors outside can look straight at your bed. There is only one public pool, despite the photos suggesting two, because the other pool is private. There are no public toilets by the pool either. To use one, you have to go back up to the top of the hotel, then take the lift down to your own room, and management seems aware of this. The interior, especially the bathrooms, was clean but dated and below what I'd expect at this price.

We found the hotel modern, clean, peaceful, and high quality, and the staff throughout were unfailingly friendly, polite, welcoming, and helpful. Our large room was clean, the balcony was spacious, the bathroom nicely done, and the coffee machine was excellent. The views of Porto Venere are exceptional, and the setting feels quiet. Getting to town takes about 15 minutes on foot, including very steep steps on a hill, so it won't suit older guests or people with mobility issues. The pool area was quiet and fine for reading or resting for an hour, but it wasn't very sociable. There's no bar nearby and drinks aren't allowed by the pool. The bar itself is lovely, with fantastic views and excellent staff, though it only opens at 6pm. An afternoon glass of wine before heading to town would be welcome, and the lack of that made the hotel feel a little empty. Breakfast was fine but simple, with less variety than I'd expect for the price. A couple of small changes could make the stay much better. Separate note about taxis: we booked one for four, but a seven-seater arrived and combined us with four other people. Two were children, and one couldn't wear a seat belt. We were quoted €25 for a 10-minute trip into town, then the driver demanded €60 on arrival, saying it was a bigger car. Uber doesn't work, and I fear there's only one taxi, which felt like an absolute rip-off. With the hotel so close to town, it would help if the hotel supported guests in finding a less extortionate way to get there.

Really enjoyed our visit. Just one tiny thing, the breakfast room coffee could've been better! 🙏🏼