Della Baia

I will preface my review by saying I don’t particularly like posting negative reviews (over 95% of my reviews are 4 stars or more). But sometimes the circumstances warrant it. We spent 10 weeks traveling throughout Europe this summer and fall, and by far, our stay at Hotel Della Baia was one of the most unpleasant experiences we encountered. All attributed to the rude lady at the front desk (I don’t have to name names – you know who you are), who treated us with such complete and utter disrespect, including lying blatantly to our faces (which she will undoubtedly deny if she responds). She needs a lesson on how to treat people with decency and respect. It really doesn’t take a great deal of effort to be nice – it can go a long way. While she set the negative tone from the outset for our very disappointing stay, there were some additional negatives: • The rooms in the back of the hotel (non-sea view) are small, dark and depressing (lending itself to a feeling of uncleanliness). Do not book a non-sea view room under any circumstances! • The patio table and chairs outside our room were filthy. • The showers are the size you would find in a small RV at best. My elbows either hit the shower door, or the nozzle controlling the temperature. • They charge 1.5 euros for the use of “pool” towels, which in the end are the exact same towels you have in your bathroom. Seriously. And while the address shows "Porto Venere" under the hotel name, the hotel is actually outside of Porto Venere, in a town called Le Grazie, a quaint little fishing village that you can visit and see all in just half a day, no need to spend the night. If your primary focus is to visit the Cinque Terre area, take a look at staying in the real Porto Venere – a lovely town with ample hotels to choose from. Porto Venere also has direct ferries running continuously to the 5 main Cinque Terre towns, unlike Le Grazie, which has zero. We wish we had researched this more carefully when making our travel plans. If only one person passes on this hotel based on my review, it will have been worth taking the time to write it.

Beautiful place, elegant, quiet, nice pool. Good breakfast and excellent restaurant. It was my daughter and me and her two girls, it was nice to spend a few days here!!!

Also this year I spent my vacation at the hotel Baia Le Grazie - Portovenere. It was 14 fantastic days, like last year we received excellent treatment both in the hotel services and from the wonderful staff. The girls at the reception always with a smile and available to solve any problem, the à la carte dinners with a variety of choices were always impeccable and of excellent quality. Special treatment also for our Mya (Labrador) offering a complete service and the welcome for her was also unparalleled. 5 stars are few to give an excellent rating.