Hotel Mediterraneo

With LED lights, smooth fonts, and colorful twisted columns, Hotel Mediterraneo is hard to miss -- even in the hotel-soaked tourist city of Riccione. From the outside, the Mediterraneo comes off as an ultra-hip and modern property with an arty edge. If you enter at night, the multicolored entrance shines. Glass doors slide open to let you in. Unfortunately, much of the pizzazz evaporates once you've actually entered the venue -- and this is a common complaint about the hotel, that much of its style is only surface-level. The hotel dates to 1960, and the flashy 2012 renovations don't hide all of the previous wear. The lobby is big and bright, with polished tile floors, glass chandeliers, and a white leather sofa. A contemporary set of stairs leads towards the hallways, and this is where the party ends. The hallways, offset by motel-style carpeting, have walls with colorful striped paint or a bland, solid blue.

The on-site restaurant is quite simple with white tablecloths and chairs and industrial white tile floors. The art-hotel vibe returns only in the lounge bar, where funky blue couches and white leather footstools hang out over an industrial black tile floor. Overall, the hotel's vibe isn't terrible, but it's nothing special either.

Hotel Mediterraneo has an ideal location across the street from the beach and within an easy walk of plenty of restaurants and shops. Guests can also reach the greenery of Papa Giovanni Paolo II Park within 10 minutes by foot. To reach other areas in town or beyond, there are two bus stops within a five-minute walk from the hotel entrance, while the Riccione train station can be reached in 10 to 15 minutes by foot. The local convention center is also only a few minutes walk to the west, while Federico Fellini International Airport is a 10-minute drive north.

Most of the 100 rooms at the Mediterraneo feature balconies with sea views. Spaces have black carpet and contemporary decor with metallic floral print wallpaper. Decor in suites falls more on the modern side, with leather or dark wood furniture and lighter floors. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, minibars, and large windows, although some bathrooms are dark. Some bathrooms also have tubs but no showers, while others only have a shower. Suites have fun amenities like a large outdoor artificial-turf terrace with fabulous views and sun loungers. While there is a Wi-Fi connection, it's not free. Past guests have complained about thin walls and some housekeeping issues.

By far the hotel's best feature is its location, which places guests only minutes away from the beach and town center. Beyond this, the hotel's features are designed to cater well to two separate types of guests. During summertime, the Mediterraneo has a handful of kid-friendly services well-suited for younger children, with a baby club available from June to September. The hotel also has free cots, bottle warmers, and other convenient extras for rooms, as well as a baby area for mothers to prepare bottles and baby food.

In winter months, business travelers who have easy access to the local convention center can also use the hotel’s meeting and conference rooms. (Beware: There is no free Internet.) There’s a small spa and heated outdoor pool that contains waterfalls and 10 hydro-massage areas. Other spa amenities include a steam room, sauna, and chromotherapy shower. The restaurant serves buffet-style cuisine with more than 40 items, with hot and cold breakfast selections available as well. Breakfast is free. Guests who need to unwind can also visit the funky lounge bar.