Savoia Excelsior Palace

What a grand and imposing hotel this is. Built in 1911 and has served the elite of Trieste since then. Staying here was to be our special treat of our whole trip. Check in was simple and straightforward, no time wasted on a welcome. No mucking about and our car taken off to a parking garage for the time we were here was a great bonus. As we had had a long drive that day we had decided that we would just "eat in" that evening - problem number one: they had an "event" on and we couldn't get into the dining room! It was a pity that no one had warned us about this. So, we had to go out to find dinner, which probably turned out to be the better option, although we were both tired. Our room was good, reasonably clean and with a great sea view to watch all the happenings in the busy port and waterfront. The bathroom was not very efficient with the shower screen over the bath leaking water all onto the floor. Stepping in and out of the bath was extremely dangerous - we did get a mat to put in the bath which did help a bit. The housekeeping was not all up to standard with not even a glass washed or replacement tea bags left, etc etc, over the four days we were there. It was not all good to have a cup of tea from a paper cup - in a hotel of this standard? All in all I would say that our stay here was marred by the unfriendly and unhelpful staff. It was obvious that we weren't important enough to be greeted every day even with just a friendly smile - it seemed that the "event" that they had on was far more important. We never did get to eat in the dining room, so we can't comment on the food here. Even when we left it was not easy to get someone to come to get our bags - there was no where in the room that gave instructions as to how to call reception or the concierge. And then on settling the bill, I was asked if I would make a percent tip for the staff - I was shocked when I was told this would be E70 - of course my answer was no! I don't think we will be returning here and apart from the view, we don't think this hotel has much going for it.

The hotel is very well situated on the front in Trieste opposite the cruise terminal . The road is very busy but the double glazing is good. We were lucky to have a room upgrade to a residents suite which was amazing! The decor in the hotel is very trad and in need of a revamp . The front door which is small and revolving - needs replacing as impossible either luggage and carpet here is grimy and unloved. Breakfast is 28 euros. So we went somewhere nicer ‘MH

We stayed at the Savoia prior to and as part of our Gate! Discovery tour. The hotel is situated across the street from the Gulf of Trieste, and right next to the main square. While the room was a little dated, it was comfortable and clean. We had a room on the side of the hotel so we didn't enjoy a view of the Gulf, but we were very satisfied not only with the room, but with the ambiance of the hotel, the friendly, helpful staff, the delicious breakfast and also our dinner in the hotel's restaurant. The hotel is conveniently located and we had no problem walking around and enjoying the view. We were at the hotel for National Day and enjoyed the ceremonies in the square as well as the classic car show they had the day before. We would definitely stay again!

The location on the sea front was good, and it being during the regatta, we paid the premium. With our cases, it wouldn’t have been an easy walk from the station, so we took taxi, but you may have to be lucky to find one. There are decent restaurants nearby. The room was nice and comfortable, but the level of cleaning was awful. We stayed several nights and apart from the bedding change and the bathroom, not much cleaning happened day offer day. In fact, the cleaning AFTER the last guests vacated wasn’t up to the standard. I found myself cleaning the bathroom wall. I’ve always avoided cleaning myself at home if I can help it, but I couldn’t bear to look at the mess there. Whatever it was, it came odd easily with a wet towel, so I have no idea why the cleaner didn’t bother.

There is a lot to like about this hotel. However, I will be making some suggestions for improvement. It is a pleasant walk from the train station to this hotel, especially if you have just one small wheelie. We booked a deluxe balcony sea view room as it was a special occasion. The check-in at reception could only be described as cool. However, our room was fabulous with, perhaps, one exception which I brought to the attention of the General Manager and was subsequently satisfactorily dealt with by the Deputy General Manager as the General Manager was away. The bed was super comfortable and the bed linen (monogrammed) was exquisite. There is a pillow menu. We had a lovely large three-seater sofa and a large footstool in the bedroom and it was very comfortable too. There was a TV but we didn't use it. Neither did we use the well-stocked minibar or help ourselves to the snacks - a tad expensive. The bathroom was amazing, spotlessly clean - bath, shower, wash hand basin, toilet and bidet with towels a plenty, luxuriously soft towelling robes and turquoise (monogrammed with gold thread) slippers. The toiletries were first class. Plenty of space to hang clothes - the wardrobe lit up when you opened the doors. We used the safe. We had breakfast the following morning. We waited to be shown to a table but in actual fact none of the staff had any interest in us and left us standing there. We did not realise that we just had to plonk ourselves at a table. The staff are really there to keep tables cleared and to replenish the buffet. A hello and a smile would go along way. There are plenty of things to choose from as part of the breakfast buffet. The boiled water comes out of a burko boiler and in my experience a burko boiler does not keep hot water hot. They were out of English breakfast teabags. It said the orange juice was freshly squeezed but I do not think it came out of an orange. I think the GM should bring the breakfast chefs around the corner to Mimi e Cocotte so they learn what freshly squeezed orange juice tastes like. In addition, I did think that one 500ml complimentary bottle of water per day was a little on the mean side when there were two adults staying in the room and a bottle of water of this size costs a maximum of 50c - you are charging €400 for this room type. Furthermore, we got a free chocolate on day two and day three but not on day one or day four. There are some inconsistencies in service that need to be addressed. Would I stay here again? Yes, I would but probably in a standard double and on a room only basis. It is a super location for visiting all of the sights of Trieste, for the coffee shops and for the restaurants. A little tweaking here and there would make this establishment five star. Thank you.