Tropic

The room felt decades overdue for renovation, especially the very old bathroom and tiny shower. At around €130 a night, I don’t think it’s worth the price. On the plus side, the hotel was quiet and fairly central, and the breakfast had a good selection. We stayed a couple of nights in August. Free bicycles are available if there are any left.

The food was excellent, though the staff seemed a bit cold. The location is great, but our room was dated and the shower doors were completely broken. With the all-inclusive package, you only get an hour for both lunch and dinner. Parking beneath the balconies is a real concern in case anything falls. We found our car very dirty, and €10 a day for parking included feels a bit excessive. For what we paid, it was acceptable overall.

I’m staying here now. The two things I do appreciate are being close to the sea and Mrs. Michela, who cleans the room and is always kind and helpful. The balcony in our quadruple room is tiny, with two lines for hanging swimsuits and other things. The air conditioner is over the entrance, and a side wall stops it from cooling the whole room. Breakfast starts at 8. I think this may be the only hotel on the Riviera serving just one cold cut of its choice each day, salami today, ham yesterday, who knows what tomorrow. There wasn’t the usual Italian or German breakfast spread. I didn’t see eggs or sausages, though perhaps they make them on request. The appetizers are acceptable. Lunch is just fruit and no desserts, with two first courses that are almost always undercooked and two second courses, served in a room where the tables are packed close together. After 15 years on the Romagna Riviera, this all-inclusive setup makes no sense to me. You pay for everything at the bar. The only included extras are tray desserts and drinks with meals, so it feels like a fake all-inclusive and is far too expensive for what’s offered. Maybe the three stars come from the pool, which has no depth variation or entry steps, only a ladder. A child under 1.50 cm can’t stand in it. There’s no entertainment either.

The small sea-facing balcony was my favorite part of the stay, and the room was a pleasant surprise: recently renovated, on the fourth floor, north-facing, with a side view of the sea. Everything felt thoughtfully updated, from the individually controlled air conditioning and large glass shower to the modern bed and wardrobe, smart TV, and impressive lighting. Hotel Tropic sits right on the beachfront, with direct access to partner beaches just 20 meters away. The property has also been renovated, and the attention to detail shows in the entrance, ground-floor common areas, and one wing. Staff were knowledgeable, approachable, and friendly. Martina and another young man at reception were especially helpful and empathetic, always smiling and ready for questions. Parking is available on site for a fee, though it was midweek when I visited. The pool and loungers are available all day. My bed-and-breakfast rate included a remarkably well-stocked breakfast with plenty of sweet and savory choices. As I do every year, I took a mini break in Riccione, the Green Pearl of Romagna, and I’m very glad I chose Hotel Tropic. If I return, I’ll stay here again.