Palazzo Belmonte

If the worst thing that you can say about the Palazzo Belmonte is that the hairdryer supplied was awful, then you know that you're onto a winner. If you want a holiday of pure relaxation then this place is for you. The staff are warm, friendly and helpful, the setting is truly magical and as for the food - you could want for no more. There really is everything you could want at breakfast including wonderful homemade jams. Lunches taken next to the pool area are particularly delicious. If you're looking for glitz then this isn't for you but if you are looking for a tranquil haven then you'll be happy. I thought it worth mentioning that although there aren't lots of steps you do need to be able to 'do' steps as there are a fair few but nothing the average person couldn't manage. The old part of the Palazzo is glorious to look at and I would imagine to stay in, but we have stayed twice now in the garden rooms (I have no idea exactly what they call them). They are fairly new but not generically hotel modern. They are spotless, comfortable and elegantly but simply furnished with attention to detail. The room we take has a large terrace with sun loungers, wicker chairs and a sea view broken up by trees. The reception staff are always happy to recommend somewhere for dinner and wherever it is is only a short walk away. You literally go out of a little gate in the back wall to their private beach (never a rush for sun loungers) or go out of their front gate and you're on the edge of the small town. Apart from a decidedly indifferent meal at Le Gatte, we ate really well everywhere. We particularly love the fact that when we go out we seldom hear any English being spoken It is an area beloved by Italians unlike higher up on the Amalfi coast. Going back to the hair dryer. It blows like a hurricane either hot or cool. If you like your hair in a style, bring your own!

Positives: The view of the bay and the town. The private beach. Negatives: The expectation as you arrive at Palazzo Belmonte quickly disappears when you discover that your room is 250 metres up a dirt track through the grounds of the hotel. The rooms within the Villas are lacking in style and comfort and you could be in any generic Italian hotel room. The balcony outside our room hadn’t been swept and was covered in debris from the nearby trees. We thought the bath hadn’t been cleaned but it was historic stains and signs of rust. The staff at reception were polite but not particularly welcoming and did not show us around the facilities, just pointed them out to us from the room. We only saw them when we checked in and out. They were never seen around the grounds or pool area during our stay. There were little signs everywhere telling you not to do this or that and one in the bathroom which threatened to charge you if you took the complimentary bath products when you left. The overall feeling was that nobody cared about your comfort or enjoyment of the property. The pool area feels rundown and the pool attendant was not there for two days which meant finding the pool towels had run out when we went to spend time there in the afternoon. Also another sign stated ‘only one pool towel per person per day’. The sunbed covers were left out overnight which meant that on the last day we were there they were soaked from rain during the night and therefore we had to lie on the hard slats. The pool water was a worrying colour and the toilet seat in the poolside toilet was broken. See photos. It’s such a shame that the contrast between the accommodation is so big. We appreciated getting moved to a suite in the Palazzo for the last night after complaining to our tour operator which made up for the various disappointments. Breakfast was only served outside so it was a little chilly as the area is in the shade as it doesn’t get the morning sun. Again, seats were wet from overnight rain. Despite booking bed and breakfast we discovered on the breakfast menu that they charge extra for cooked eggs and bacon. If two of us wanted fried eggs and bacon it would be an additional €20. I think they should be included considering the price we paid.

Little sanctuary on the doorstep of Castellabate. Large comfortable room with lovely patio having a wonderful garden and sea view and thank goodness for wonderful air conditioning! The hotel has both a pool and private beach which are easily reached. There is an outside restaurant which serves breakfast and lunch options. Staff very friendly and professional . A lovely hotel and stay .