... The Grand Hotel Excelsior was my residence for numerous weeks holiday, and it certainly not one for the faint hearted! In the Thompson guide book it is described as 'quaint' which to put it politely is rather an understatement. One thing that can be said for it is it is completely oozing with ... Read review
stunning sea views from the panoramic pool, the sun deck, and the terrace bar.Il Saraceno Grand Hotel features panoramic rooms in a stunning coastal location. Admir...
Excelsior, which provides a free shuttle service to its private beach and the centre of Amalfi.Each guest room is spacious and comfortable and has a large balcony with sea...
the captivating scenery of the Amalfi Coast: brimming with unsurpassed views exceeding any imagination and invoking cheerfulness and encouraging one to simply en...
overlooking the sea, surrounded by pinewoods and boasting spectacular views over the bay. Balconies with sea views extend from traditionally styled guestrooms, a...
overlooking the sea, surrounded by pinewoods and boasting spectacular views over the bay. Balconies with sea views extend from traditionally styled guestrooms, a...
kilometres from the centre of town, 12 kilometres from shopping in Positano, and 50 kilometres from Pompei. Hotel Features. Set in the cliff face overlooking th...
kilometres from the centre of town, 12 kilometres from shopping in Positano, and 50 kilometres from Pompei. Hotel Features. Set in the cliff face overlooking th...
architecture with modern facilities including Wi-Fi, modern conference rooms and a fitness centre. The hotel was reopened in 2001 following complete refurbishment. Most of the elegant guest rooms feature a panoramic balcony with a view of Mount Etna or the piazza. Relax in the fitness centre complete with hydromassage showers, Turkish bath and gym. The conference rooms are all bright and spacious and have a maximum capacity of 350 people. Dining at the Excelsior Grand Hotel is a real treat at the contemporary restaurant which is also open to the public. Sample some typical, regional cuisine and a fine selection of local wines, while admiring the beautiful inner garden.
hotel located in the centre of the lively city of Catania, a stones throw from the natural scenery of Etna. The hotel, which has always played an important role in the citys events, has reopened in 2001; its new furnishings are enhanced by rich decorations, stuccoes and marbles, an emotive setting for the hotels traditional charm and attention to detail. The vivid Sicilian colours lend warmth to the sober, elegant atmosphere, striking a pleasing balance between the classic and the contemporary. City: Villa Bellini, Teatro Massimo, Sant'Agata Church, Benedettini Cloister, Collegiata Church, Market.Environs: Taormina, Siracusa.Trips: Aetna, Eoline, Mummies in Savoca, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina, Villa del Casale, Palermo.
since 1834. The hotel is composed of 3 different buildings interconnecting through the Hall and Reception. All rooms are different from each other, but all are furnished with the personal touch of Mrs Fiorentino .The hotel is posed where it is said one of the Villas of the Emperor Augustus once stood. This renowed five star luxurious hotel is situated on the top of the cliffs with a spectacular view over the entire bay of Naples., Capri, Ischia and Mount VesuviusThe Hotel features as wonderful gardens and it's entrance is situated in the centre of Sorrento. A lot of guests return every year because they repute this hotel a home away from home. Quiet location on clifftop overlooking the Bay of Maples and Mount Vesuvious. Two minutes from Sorrentos Main Square and istorical Centre.
city Catania, less than two kilometres from the railway station and the port. The air conditioned guestrooms are decorated in traditional style, with contemporary touched. Colour schemes are in muted shades of gold or beige, with antique style furniture and chic modern fabrics. All have balconies, many with views over Mount Etna or the hotel's garden. Minibars, safes and satellite television and newspapers are provided in each room. The hotel's American bar, l'Incontro, has live piano music every evening and is decorated with intricate marquetry and chic contemporary chairs and tables. The Zagare Restaurant's large dining room overlooks the garden, and serves modern dishes drawing on local dishes as inspiration. The wellness club features a Turkish bath, sauna and beauty services. At the 24 hour front desk, the concierge and multiligual staff help guests with car hire, currency exchange, and a range of other servicesincluding business support. Catania Fontanarossa airport is seven kilometres away. Those arriving by car can make use of a nearby external garage at which hotel guests enjoy discounted rates.
city Catania, less than two kilometres from the railway station and the port. The air conditioned guestrooms are decorated in traditional style, with contemporary touched. Colour schemes are in muted shades of gold or beige, with antique style furniture and chic modern fabrics. All have balconies, many with views over Mount Etna or the hotel's garden. Minibars, safes and satellite television and newspapers are provided in each room. The hotel's American bar, l'Incontro, has live piano music every evening and is decorated with intricate marquetry and chic contemporary chairs and tables. The Zagare Restaurant's large dining room overlooks the garden, and serves modern dishes drawing on local dishes as inspiration. The wellness club features a Turkish bath, sauna and beauty services. At the 24 hour front desk, the concierge and multiligual staff help guests with car hire, currency exchange, and a range of other servicesincluding business support. Catania Fontanarossa airport is seven kilometres away. Those arriving by car can make use of a nearby external garage at which hotel guests enjoy discounted rates.
right on Lake Geneva, on the Quai des Fleurs (Flower Bank).Built in 1907 in Belle-Epoque style, the Grand Hotel Excelsior is a haven of peace and features authentic historic Art Déco stained-glass windows.Each room and suite, with a balcony or terrace, overlooks Lake Geneva and boasts a breathtaking panoramic view of the Alps.All the rooms are equipped with free internet access via the TV, a high-speed internet connection for laptops and free Pay-TV with more than 50 films a month.Access to the wellness centre of the hotel is free for all guests. Apart from the fitness room and the semi-Olympic-size swimming-pool, offers a wide range of body and facial treatments..
Geneva, Grand Hotel Excelsior just a heaven of peace. Situated at the lakeside, directly along the Quai des Fleurs, this Victorian style hotel was built in 1907. The interior matches the grandeur of the exterior a wondrous place where you can find antique collections and original Art Deco stained glass. Our spacious rooms and suites are all facing the Lake of Geneva, the wonderful panorama of the Alps and have either a balcony or a terrace.
bastions of Valletta the Maltese capital a UNESCO World Heritage CityA couple of minutes on foot bring you to the gates of Valletta a city brimming with culture noble architecture and priceless artThe Hotel provides stunning views of Marsamxett Harbour and Manoel Island from its location by the edge of the sea Its central position allows for easy travel to all parts of the islandsOur Hotel is still operating in a soft opening phase Finishing works are still ongoing during the daytime and are projected to be finalised by the end of June 2008 In the meantime the following outlets and facilities are in operation:The Admirals Landing Restaurant The Harbour View Bar 24 hours The Chartroom Bar 6 Syndicate Rooms The Grand Ballroom Fountain Restaurant The Main Pool The Indoor Pool Jacuzzi some treatment rooms and The Gymnasium This list will be updated as further facilities and outlets are opened
location on the banks of Lake Geneva, 500 metres from Montreux centre. The hotel's 59 guestrooms feature light decor with antique furniture. All offer balconies with lake views, satellite television, wireless Internet access, safes and minibars. Bathrooms have hair dryers. Dining options include a summer terrace restaurant and the main restaurant with ornate, period detail, large, decorative windows and antique furniture, both serving fresh, seasonal cuisine. Guests can workout on the fitness equipment, swim in the large indoor pool, and relax in the wellness centre with its sauna, solarium and thermal bath. Guests can also enjoy the Biotonus Clinic with massages, regenerative treatments and medical check ups. Business services and conference facilities are available, while further practical amenities include room service, laundry facilities, and parking for an additional fee. Lake Geneva offers a selection of water sports and Montreux itself boasts numerous bars and restaurants, along with a casino and a jazz festival. Chillon Castle is two kilometres away, and Scex Rouge, accessible by cable car and with panoramic views of both the French and the Swiss Alps, is 24 kilometres away. Geneva International Airport is 95 kilometres away, with an approximate driving time of 50 minutes.
A review by lizawithaz on Excelsior Grand Hotel, Amalfi September 5th, 2007
Author's product rating:
Value for Money
Average
Quality of Rooms
Average
Standard of Service
Average
Quality of Facilities
Good
Advantages:
Beautiful View
Disadvantages:
Apalling food
Recommend to potential buyers:
no
Full review
As anyone who has read my early reviews knows- I love Italy! I've been going there now for the past ten years with my parents, and for the first time last year I made my own way there with the boyfriend for a nice Italian holiday. The Grand Hotel Excelsior was my residence for numerous weeks holiday, and it certainly not one for the faint hearted! In the Thompson guide book it is described as 'quaint' which to put it politely is rather an understatement. One thing that can be said for it is it is completely oozing with Italian charm.
ARRIVAL/ LOCATION
If you book with Thompson as we did (though other tour operators go to the same location) flights go from Manchester Airport on a Friday morning, taking just over 2 and a half hours to get to Naples International Airport. From Naples the coastal resort of Amalfi is approximately two hours drive, depending on how confident the driver is. For a fee of £15.00 a transfer to the hotel can be booked, and I completely advise this is purchased, as a taxi would cost over 50 euros. The first time I went they picked us up in a small people carrier, but the other times we have been in a coach. Let me tell you, the Amalfi coast road is not for the faint hearted, as the hairpin bends are truly terrifying. To allow two coaches to pass each other often the driver has to lean out and take a wing mirror off…which is extreme motoring! If you look down the cliff on the coast road it is a sheer drop, but the fear of imminent death does not seem to bother the Italian drivers.
Eventually you arrive at the coastal town of Amalfi, which nestles into the cliff face, literally clinging to the side overlooking the sea. In the brochure the description of the hotel says 1km away from the centre of Amalfi, which is slightly misleading. It may be 1kn upwards, but in terms of the road there is no direct way there. Instead you have to go on a little winding road all the way up the cliff side, heading upwards to the village of Pogerola, which is where this hotel should really be advertised as being located. Eventually however, after a good 2 hours you finally arrive at the hotel, and it does not disappoint.
THE HOTEL
Advertised as four star, it is four star by the Italian Tourist Board, not the English, so don't expect English standards! On arrival your bags are carried in by a porter, to be taken to one of the 97 rooms available, while you sign in. The hotel also asks for your passports, but I have found this in numerous hotels in Europe. You are then given the room key and you get the joy of finding it in what for Italian standards is a HUGE hotel! The bottom floor is a restaurant and bar, with a games room with a giant flat screen TV for watching the football. Above this are the 97 rooms, we were in a garden room which was accessed from the third floor, but seemed separate from the rest of the hotel. We did not ask for these rooms, they were just allocated to us and we were delighted!
The rooms themselves are somewhat basic, with few creature comforts. I shared with my Mum and had a twin room: two single beds. There is a TV with cable (most of which comes in Italian), phone and mini bar. The bathroom was a good size with beautiful local tiled flooring which was cool in the mid August heat. It becomes clear that what you are actually paying for is the view, which is indeed spectacular. Every room offers sea views of the Mediterranean. The rooms are perfectly clean. We had one wardrobe and a chest of draws, but seen as I never unpack it didn't really matter!
Stuck to the side of the hotel is one of its main features; the swimming pool. It is this pool that makes the hotel not a particular great stay for those families with young children. The pool is over 9foot deep in some places, and there is no life guard as it is not a requirement in Italy to have one present. The cool refreshing water is brilliant after a long days sight seeing, and if you are just sun bathing in one of the lovely orange sun loungers then drinks can be served to you at your lounger. This is really the height of decadence!
THE FOOD
We stayed half board, which means breakfast and an evening meal. To be honest breakfast was what you would expect from a European hotel. On offer was a selection of cheeses, bread rolls and scrambled eggs. For extra money the chef could rustle up a full English breakfast, but to be honest I was satisfied with what was already on offer.
What didn't satisfy me was the evening meal, which in all honesty was appalling! Each morning the chef would pin the evening's menu on the notice board by the reception area, and everyday reading it my mouth would water. However, come night time the food just wasn't up to the standard you would expect of such a large hotel. The starters were small, the mains just nasty and the desert often resorted to dull ice cream. It became obvious that they were catering for their large German market, as veal was on the menu literally every night. My mother frequently goes for the vegetarian option, believing it to be a safer bet. However, she was faced with an omelet every night, not the most filling of meals. You would have thought in Italy, the home of pasta the chef would have been able to come up with a few good pasta dishes, but this clearly wasn't the case. By the fourth night we decided it was safer to just head out to the centre of Amalfi (using the hotel's free bus service) and eat down there. Thus bus service runs till 11 at night so there was no problem getting back up the cliff.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall my views were mixed. The hotel and its location were beautiful, just like out of a film set. The food however really let it down. When you are paying upwards of £500 per person you would expect better service, and this really put a downer on things. Luckily the hotel is only a small part of the holiday experience in Amalfi, as the surrounding area is beautiful so you don't actually spend that much time in the hotel at all. A day trip to Pompeii is a must, as is a trip to Positano: the land of the kaftans. My one word of advice would be not to book these tours through the operator, as they charge the earth. Instead just go and catch the bus, it is no more than 3 euros and gets you there just as fast for a fraction of the price!
This hotel is a curiosity, but most definitely worth a look!
CONTACT DETAILS Grand Hotel Excelsior Via Papa Leone X, Pogerola, 84011
Quick review of Excelsior Grand Hotel, Amalfi Review ofExcelsior Grand Hotel, Amalfiby
Bea39
My husband and I stayed here for 10 days in May 2008 and we were not disappointed. The blurb about the hotel says every room has a balcony with spectacular views over the Amalfi coast line. This is not an exaggeration. The views were breathtaking! Staff are friendly and helpful, especially the catering staff. We were really pleased with the quality, choice and presentation of the meals. We would visit again.
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful