Hotel Conti

Really fantastic.

The pool at the Vannini Hotel was dirty, and the lifeguard left it unattended while doing manual work. We also saw lunch and dinner supplies being thrown down the kitchen stairs. We asked politely whether the dinner we would miss could be replaced with lunch, a snack, or anything edible in our room, but were refused. The person who greeted us didn't tell us breakfast or checkout times, or show us to our room. We had to find the room and ask about the times ourselves. The welcome was the worst part. We were treated like dirt for using a Daydreams discount coupon. Within minutes, the person at reception told us, “I know people like you.” He seemed close to losing his temper, and every question we asked got a rude, unsatisfactory answer. I've since read earlier reviews describing similar treatment, so this seems to have happened before. There was also an overcharge caused by their mistake. When I asked for the money back, the “gentlemen” blocked me on WhatsApp and ignored my email. The two hotels, Conti and Vannini, share staff, including one chef between them and maids assigned across both. Neither hotel was full, which is understandable given what we experienced. It's the end of August, and if this is how things are at the start of the season, I can only imagine how stressed that man must be. A little more friendliness on the Romagna coast could have led to a very different review. I attached photos of the chat where I politely asked about replacing dinner. Do not book either of these hotels.

Breakfast was the same each morning, mostly empty plates, no eggs, and no imagination. Dinner was no better. Some dishes felt like canteen food, and the leftovers showed up the next day with all sorts of changes. The only person who said good morning at breakfast was the woman who turned out to be the previous night's greeter's mother. That first welcome was awful. The man was surly and unfriendly, with no smile or even a good evening. His opening words were “pay for everything now,” before we'd seen the room or tried the food we'd already paid for. At 11:00 PM he told us to leave, saying, “that's the door, if you don't pay now, there are other hotels.” It felt like we were in some prehistoric jungle, no offense to jungles or prehistory. We later learned the two hotels are run by brothers, both disgraceful in every way. Don't consider staying at either Conti or Vannini. I'd rather sleep in a tent.

Alexendro, the lifeguard, was attentive and helpful with guests, and even filled in as a waiter. The younger owner also answered guests' questions. Still, I was very disappointed with the stay. I had booked full board for 10 days, but the bed was only made up, not changed. The power went out every hour, and the food wasn't good. The pasta was very hard each day, and dessert was either hard apricot or ice cream.