Residence Le Dune Club

From the nearby square, Residence Le Dune Club reads as a condominium. The exterior is painted a pale yellow and the ground floor’s glassed walls allow for full transparency into the lobby, which also houses the property’s Internet Point and children's play area. The lobby has a welcoming and somewhat stylish vibe with white and peachy walls, wicker furniture, and beach photography. Things get decidedly more commercial in the hallways, which have foam-board ceilings and hospital style railings, though there are marble stairs. The venue is decades old and has gone through a few renovations, the most recent being in 2005, with rooms updated as a result.Out back, there’s a typical beach cafe with a wooden deck, sturdy plastic seating, and a snack bar window to place and receive orders. The beach, being on the Italian Riviera, is a bit rocky, but much less so than other nearby beaches. The sea is beautifully turquoise. Overall the vibe at Residence Le Dune Club is more relaxing beach-home holiday and less thrilling resort vacation.

A hotel popular for not being too far away from the beach of Ultima Spiaggia, Residence Le Dune Club's middle-point location between Sanremo and Genoa also makes it a great base for those wanting to explore the beautiful coast of the Italian Riviera. The nearby Finale Liguria region is also well-equipped with mountain bike paths and climbing areas. A two-hour drive from the beach of La Spezia and a somewhat shorter journey from picturesque Portofino, the residence is also only a 15-minute seafront walk away from the heart of Varigotti’s local activities and shops. The nearest airports are found in Genoa and Nice, France.

All 23 units of Residence Le Dune Club are individually styled, but most offer a retro-futuristic vibe, from the white tiles with black grout to the colorful couches and simple kitchenettes. Tiled bathrooms have standup showers while seafront balconies stretch the length of the apartment. Decor elements include colorful wall photos and simple striped bedding, with certain spaces featuring wood floors and furniture. Rooms also have small TVs with mostly Italian satellite channels and free (but spotty) Wi-Fi. Superior units come with extra amenities like in-unit laundry machines, heated towel racks, full-sized refrigerators, and huge balconies.Guests won't be getting daily room cleaning or changing of linens, and be sure to bring your own toiletries as the property will only provide you with soap! While this clearly isn't a full-service hotel, it's hard to beat balconies so close to sea they practically hang over the sands of the backyard beach.

Since this a rented residence property, guests shouldn’t expect too many of the usual hotel facilities or features. Beyond the limited hour lobby (you will be expected to pay more for check-in outside of posted times), its three-computer Internet point, and the kids’ play area, the residence really only has the beach cafe out back and a laundry facility. Beach amenities include two basic canvas sun loungers with an umbrella and a set of towels per unit. The free Wi-Fi extends to the beach so you can browse the Internet while outside, though service can be spotty.While there’s no daily room service, optional cleaning services and linen exchange are available for a fee. Parking, light print and fax services, and late checkout services are available for a fee as well. For families traveling with small children, high chairs and baby baths are available for free upon request, although cribs will cost you. The residence also has a few bikes for rent, with the first 60 minutes free. Keep in mind that while you can pay a fee to bring your pet, only certain units allow animals, so be sure to check availability before you book.