Grand Hotel Villa Balbi, Sestri Levante

The hotel's main reception and rooms are beautifully designed, but there was a persistent bad smell in my room that was off-putting. The location is absolutely stunning with its own private beach across the road, but some aspects of the dining experience could be improved.

I absolutely loved my stay at this hotel! The rooms, though slightly low rent, offered incredible value given the prime location and the time of year I visited. The alfresco setup, with a beautiful sea view, was a delightful touch. The service was top-notch, with staff being extremely polite and always helpful. The location couldn't be better, right across from the beach and surrounded by a plethora of fantastic restaurants. The dining experience was good, especially for those with a sweet tooth, and the facilities were just what I needed for a comfortable stay.

My stay at the hotel was quite an experience. The rooms, although possibly a little eccentric and each individually decorated, were quiet and had great views but were poorly equipped. The service was exquisite, with the staff always attentive and ensuring a high level of quality throughout. The location was perfect, right in the center of town, overlooking the sea and with easy access to shops and restaurants. However, the dining experience was subpar with limited options and poor quality. Despite these downsides, I found the hotel to be a unique and charming place to stay.