Excelsior Palace Hotel

Had the best experience upon arrival by Francesco at the front desk!! Such genuine hospitality without any pretentiousness for a 5 star resort! We were upgraded to a suite and received the warmest welcome without any expectations. Francesco started us off right with his great restaurant recommendations and went above to secure us last minute reservations at local spots, as well is the hot touristy Portofino. Overall, wonderful service here with a true local feel! Do expect that it’s a BIG resort and not a boutique and the traditional Italian decor was more intense than accustomed modern decor but I ended up really appreciating how authentic it was!

Our stay at Excelsior Palace Portofino was a mix of wonderful highlights and some very disappointing experiences. The hotel's location is spectacular, offering breathtaking views of the Ligurian coast. We also really enjoyed the Beach Club, especially the beautiful infinity pool overlooking the sea. Both the hotel staff and the Beach Club team were consistently friendly, attentive, and professional, making us feel welcome throughout our stay. Breakfast was good, with a decent selection and quality, although we felt there was still some room for improvement. Unfortunately, several aspects of the hotel did not live up to the standard we expected. The interiors felt very heavy and outdated, filled with antique furniture, sedan chairs, paintings, and elaborate decorations. While some guests may appreciate this historic style, it simply was not to our taste. The biggest disappointment was the hotel's dinner restaurant. One evening we were served lobster pasta made with spoiled lobster that had a very unpleasant smell. This should never happen in a luxury hotel. Even more disappointing was the reaction of both the waitstaff and the restaurant management, who handled the situation in an unprofessional and inadequate manner. The other dishes we ordered were also disappointing and lacked both flavor and refinement. They tasted as though they had been prepared by an amateur rather than by a professional kitchen. For a hotel of this reputation, this was simply unacceptable. The bathroom also showed clear signs of age. Around the shower enclosure we noticed dirt and mold, which was particularly disappointing and not what we would expect from a five-star property. In addition, there were unpleasant odors in some areas of the hotel, which further affected the overall experience. Overall, Excelsior Palace has undeniable strengths, including its magnificent views, excellent service, and enjoyable Beach Club. However, the poor dining experience, aging facilities, cleanliness issues in the bathroom, and unpleasant smells significantly detracted from our stay. With better maintenance and a much higher standard in the restaurant, this hotel could offer an experience worthy of its reputation. As it stands today, we left feeling disappointed.

Nice location but unfortunately there is no beach only a terrace with a risky access to the sea. Old hotel decorated excessively. Ridiculous breakfast where people have to fight for one egg or a slice of bacon. Too many dogs around. The vespa we rented was extremely expensive and seemed older than the hotel and extremely dirty. The bed was very uncomfortable and the noise from the restaurant was sometimes unbearable even thought our room was on the 6th floor. The cleaning of the room was too superficial. It is our first and last time in this hotel who in my opinion has only the price for a 5 stars. We had dinner twice at another 5 stars hotel named Miramare which really deserves its 5 stars.

What a lovely hotel. Our second visit to this great hotel. Our rooms got upgraded with large balconies and a fantastic view of the sea. You will experience immaculate service and attention from the staff at this hotel. Facilities are great, with a heated outdoor infinity pool (open year around), spa with sauna, steam batch and more. The ambience and setting is luxurious and very relaxing. The only tiny complaint was the quality of some of the offerings at breakfast. The smoked salmon was not edible. As Norwegians we know what salmon should be like. It does not fit a hotel this style and quality to serve something like that. As I informed the hotel when checking out I´m confident that salmon will be top notch next time we visit.

We had an amazing 4 night stay in this wonderful hotel. The views were stunning and the rooms were beautiful but what made our stay so perfect were the staff. Nothing was too much trouble. We were a party of ten including three young boys of 10, 7 and 1. We were made to feel very welcome and never once felt that the children were a nuisance or an inconvenience. Every member of staff we encountered had a ready smile and a willingness to help. I can’t recommend this highly enough!