Hotel Giuseppe

My train to Nice was delayed, leaving me stuck overnight in Ventimiglia with no phone to look up or book a hotel. I was hoping for the best, and this was the only hotel I could see from the station. I expected it to be extremely basic. Choosing a bed over waiting at the station was an easy call, and I didn’t regret it. The bed was more like a cot, there were bare wires, and amenities were minimal. But it was clean and right across from the train station, which made up for a lot. I had no expectations beyond a bed, so it exceeded them. That’s why I gave it 4 stars, even though the ratings for individual items were low.

We arrived on the last train from Milano, around midnight, and couldn’t find a taxi to our next destination. We considered this hotel as a backup if we couldn’t get one. When we went in, the receptionist immediately said we couldn’t stay in the lobby even for a few minutes while we decided whether to call a cab or book a room. There were drunk men, homeless people and others who visibly seemed under the influence. My group was a child, an elderly woman and two other women. We went outside because of his response and said we’d come back in 20 minutes if no cab arrived. He kept ushering us out and repeating that we couldn’t wait in the lobby, even while we tried to explain. It took us another 40 minutes to find a cab. I understand it wasn’t his responsibility, but after that attitude I’d rather wait on the street than book a room there. I hope the women in his life don’t end up in a similar situation and meet someone like him.

The location is very convenient, but I don’t recommend this hotel to anyone!!!! There were three of us, and the person at the front desk gave us a room for two and demanded that one of us leave. He took payment first and refused to refund it. When one person tried sitting in the lobby so only two of us were in the room at a time, he wanted to throw that person out of the hotel. We only needed a room for a few hours before our 4 AM train, but he made it impossible for us to stay. The front desk person was rude and unreasonable, and didn’t understand a word of English. We eventually managed to get a refund and leave.

At around 1 a.m., with heavy rain falling and no taxis available, we came to this hotel hoping for somewhere to sleep or even a little help. The man at the door said he had just one room, for one person, and refused to help us, even though he could see us struggling outside. We went back out looking, found everything full, then returned to ask again. We hadn't caused any trouble or crossed any line. My wife and I had been travelling for 40 hours from the other side of the world and were exhausted, trying to get home after our taxi was cancelled and we were stranded at Ventimiglia train station. A couple had tried to find us a taxi, but that wasn't possible either. I hope the person at the desk someday gets help from a stranger when he's in a difficult situation.