A grand dame from a bygone era, the Grand Hotel Bristol Resort & Spa sits above the town of Rapallo, on the Italian Riviera. With sweeping views of the Gulf of Tigullio, this upscale 79-room property has historical cachet and modern pluses such as a pool and spa. The many bars, restaurants, cafes, and shops of busy Rapallo are a 15-minute walk away, mostly on a pleasant coastal path (though far enough for some guests to grumble about the walk or the cost of a taxi). Rooms range from attractive but on the small side to large and sumptuous; most have small balconies, many looking over the water. For closer beach and town access, consider the Hotel Astoria, another lovely historical property with spectacular views (but no pool or spa).
A grand dame from a bygone era, the Grand Hotel Bristol Resort & Spa sits above the town of Rapallo, on the Italian Riviera. With sweeping views of the Gulf of Tigullio, this upscale 79-room property has historical cachet and modern pluses such as a pool and spa. The many bars, restaurants, cafes, and shops of busy Rapallo are a 15-minute walk away, mostly on a pleasant coastal path (though far enough for some guests to grumble about the walk or the cost of a taxi). Rooms range from attractive but on the small side to large and sumptuous; most have small balconies, many looking over the water. For closer beach and town access, consider the Hotel Astoria, another lovely historical property with spectacular views (but no pool or spa).
The Best Western Tigullio Royal is an upper-middle-range property on the promenade in Rapallo with magnificent views of the sea. Set in an unpretentious Italian Riviera town that drew literary luminaries, the hotel is a two-minute walk from the beach and ferries to other charming towns along the coast. The hotel offers a small bar in the lobby and a small wellness corner. There's no restaurant but breakfast (for a fee) is served in a crisp, modern space in the lobby or on a terrace with beautiful views of the Gulf of Tigullio, and guests rave about the spread. The contemporary 33 guest rooms, some with sea views, are decorated in a soft blue. For a hotel with a more historic feel, travelers may prefer the Hotel Europa, set in a historic castle that dates back to the 1600s.
The Best Western Tigullio Royal is an upper-middle-range property on the promenade in Rapallo with magnificent views of the sea. Set in an unpretentious Italian Riviera town that drew literary luminaries, the hotel is a two-minute walk from the beach and ferries to other charming towns along the coast. The hotel offers a small bar in the lobby and a small wellness corner. There's no restaurant but breakfast (for a fee) is served in a crisp, modern space in the lobby or on a terrace with beautiful views of the Gulf of Tigullio, and guests rave about the spread. The contemporary 33 guest rooms, some with sea views, are decorated in a soft blue. For a hotel with a more historic feel, travelers may prefer the Hotel Europa, set in a historic castle that dates back to the 1600s.
The 28-room Hotel Canali is a mid-range, pet-friendly property that's open seasonally from April to October. Built in the Jazz Age, this classic property has many pieces of period furniture and pretty architectural details. Rooms are far more basic, but they do contain minibars, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning; some have balconies and sea views. There's also a pretty garden with sun terrace and hot tub, plus a small fitness center and Turkish bath. An excellent breakfast buffet is served outside during warmer weather (though it's not always included in the rate). The location is peaceful, away from city center noise, but within a five-minute walk guests can reach the beautiful Park Casale, the beach, and the pier. Another three-pearl property in the area travelers could consider is L'Approdo.
The 28-room Hotel Canali is a mid-range, pet-friendly property that's open seasonally from April to October. Built in the Jazz Age, this classic property has many pieces of period furniture and pretty architectural details. Rooms are far more basic, but they do contain minibars, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning; some have balconies and sea views. There's also a pretty garden with sun terrace and hot tub, plus a small fitness center and Turkish bath. An excellent breakfast buffet is served outside during warmer weather (though it's not always included in the rate). The location is peaceful, away from city center noise, but within a five-minute walk guests can reach the beautiful Park Casale, the beach, and the pier. Another three-pearl property in the area travelers could consider is L'Approdo.
The mid-range Hotel Astoria is located in the charming center of Rapallo, just a five-minute
walk from the beach and restaurants. Most of its 22 rooms are airy and modern with stylish decor, though some are plain and have dated bathrooms; certain rooms have lovely terraces with gorgeous sea views. The hotel offers discounts at local venues and private beaches as well as free breakfast, plus there's a small bar on-site, but no full restaurant. Travelers seeking something with such extras should consider the historic Excelsior Palace Hotel, which has a fine-dining restaurant and outdoor infinity pool.
The mid-range Hotel Astoria is located in the charming center of Rapallo, just a five-minute
walk from the beach and restaurants. Most of its 22 rooms are airy and modern with stylish decor, though some are plain and have dated bathrooms; certain rooms have lovely terraces with gorgeous sea views. The hotel offers discounts at local venues and private beaches as well as free breakfast, plus there's a small bar on-site, but no full restaurant. Travelers seeking something with such extras should consider the historic Excelsior Palace Hotel, which has a fine-dining restaurant and outdoor infinity pool.
The 129-room Excelsior Palace Hotel is perched high above the Ligurian Sea with sweeping views. First opened in 1901 under a different name, this hotel has rooms and suites with antique furniture and gold accents creating an elegant and romantic feel, though some less renovated rooms have worn carpet instead of nice hardwood floors. There is an outdoor infinity pool, indoor heated pool, and rocky beach area on-site. Located a short walk from the town of Rapallo, the hotel has a convenient location, but dozens of stairs must be climbed to reach the entrance.
The 129-room Excelsior Palace Hotel is perched high above the Ligurian Sea with sweeping views. First opened in 1901 under a different name, this hotel has rooms and suites with antique furniture and gold accents creating an elegant and romantic feel, though some less renovated rooms have worn carpet instead of nice hardwood floors. There is an outdoor infinity pool, indoor heated pool, and rocky beach area on-site. Located a short walk from the town of Rapallo, the hotel has a convenient location, but dozens of stairs must be climbed to reach the entrance.
The Hotel Europa is an upscale hotel set in an ornate shell-pink building that dates all the way back to the 1600s. It’s in the perfect location for seeing Rapello, as it’s set opposite the historic castle, and it's a short walk to all of the town’s main attractions, including the beach. Equally alluring are the beautiful gardens and excellent on-site spa, which includes an indoor hydromassage pool, Finnish sauna, hot tub, and steam bath. There’s also a small fitness center, and bikes can be rented from the hotel. The 58 rooms are individually decorated and have a traditionally elegant decor in neutral shades; some rooms have been renovated and are a touch more modern and fresh. Some guests find the walls a little thin, as noise from neighboring rooms can often be heard. Travelers could compare rates with Excelsior Palace Hotel, another historic, four-pearl property with similar rates.
The Hotel Europa is an upscale hotel set in an ornate shell-pink building that dates all the way back to the 1600s. It’s in the perfect location for seeing Rapello, as it’s set opposite the historic castle, and it's a short walk to all of the town’s main attractions, including the beach. Equally alluring are the beautiful gardens and excellent on-site spa, which includes an indoor hydromassage pool, Finnish sauna, hot tub, and steam bath. There’s also a small fitness center, and bikes can be rented from the hotel. The 58 rooms are individually decorated and have a traditionally elegant decor in neutral shades; some rooms have been renovated and are a touch more modern and fresh. Some guests find the walls a little thin, as noise from neighboring rooms can often be heard. Travelers could compare rates with Excelsior Palace Hotel, another historic, four-pearl property with similar rates.