Eight Portofino

I understand the gap in Portofino that this hotel fills - the Belmond is very premium and this is next best. But it is dated and aside from the location there are problems with this place. The Spa was not mentioned to us when we arrived and is on request - we were denied access because someone else was using it & it has to be turned on The pool is a temporary pop up structure above and behind the property in a fairly neglected area. It is slimy to the touch and generally unused by guests. The beach club is not included in the Portofino Hotel fees and sits at €125 per day per person. I have had a good time here - the staff are helpful - Portofino is a special place and I understand this is the price you pay to stay here, but do not expect the accommodation alone to be worth what you have paid for it.

Room - 1 Star The size of the room was lovely, but would feel bigger without the canopy bed. The curtains were falling off of their tracks. The bathroom was outdated, VERY dark and just felt icky. There was mold in the shower. The shower really just didn’t make any sense, there was nothing blocking the water from getting all over the floor. The bed was incredibly uncomfortable and worn out. The chairs in the room seemed very dirty. We really only showered and slept in the room. Service - 5 stars The staff were fantastic. We were greeted with welcome drinks, out luggage brought to our room and reservations were made for dinner. Whatever we needed, they were quick to help! Location - 4 stars I appreciated that it wasn’t right in the mix of things, and it made for a lovely walk in the mornings and evenings. Overall, it was INCREDIBLY overpriced for what you get. Would I stay again? Maybe. Do I wish they’d add lighting and remodel the bathroom, get rid of the canopy bed, and get new mattresses? YES YES YES!

We had booked a 3-night stay but checked out after just one due to unacceptable hygiene conditions. The shower was moldy and visibly dirty, with extensive black mold under the bathtub. completely unacceptable, especially for a room costing nearly €800 per night. The bed and pillows were also uncomfortable and felt worn out. Several features in the room didn’t work properly. We reported all of this to the front desk and asked to speak with the General Manager. The GM never contacted us. Instead, we were told by reception that “this is the room you booked” as if that justified the poor state of the facilities. Don’t let the hotel pictures fool you! It’s absolutely unacceptable that a hotel charging luxury rates allows such hygiene and maintenance issues to persist while also dismissing guest concerns. We will be following this up with the relevant tourism and public health authorities in Portofino responsible for hotel star ratings and hygiene inspections. Travelers deserve better than this.