Grand Hotel Dei Castelli

Beautiful views, location and building but standard of room below what you would expect. Very old fashioned and lacking modern touches and qualities. Best thing about it is it’s bar.

Interesting place with a decent view, if however partly hidden by trees. But! Watch out for the prices in the bar!!! They claim not to have a drink list, but make the drinks ad hoc. The average drinks then served come with an out of this world price tag - beware! Many other much better alternatives in this beautiful and friendly town than this ”never let your wallet out of sight place”. As for food I can not comment and never will be able to after this experience. I guess this is the kind of place where, if you have to see the price list, it is not for you. And if the price doesn’t matter, it probably still is not a place where you get what you paid for. The bar tender was a nice chap though.

A really fantastic 4 night stay - gorgeous location , amazing service from very helpful staff and beautiful food . Great local walks too . Highly recommended.

We enjoyed an unforgettable experience during 3 nights in the Hotel Dei Castelli, by far the best located and most charming hotel in Sestri Levante, standing on the very top of the rock and cape at the southern end of the bay. The place is ancient, full of history and style, with nice furniture, elegant rooms and castle-kind areas in the middle of pine trees. Bedrooms are large and well situated though could be modernised a bit (would need more electric connections, better lights and a place where to set toilet stuff in the bathroom). Breakfast and dinner are served in a unique place overlooking the bay, it is breathtaking, magnificent… food is excellent at every time of the day. However what makes this hotel unique is its private beach and natural swimming pool (a lift in the rock will take you there) carved in the rocks by the seaside. One can swim from the little beach and then get into the sea between the ticks at the end of Sestri Levante’s cape.. this is unique, one feels like paradise in the warm blue Mediterranean water… areas for resting and sun-taking make you feel like relax, quiet and highly privileged to be able to enjoy such an amazing view.

We had a wonderful time at the Grand Hotel. It is perfectly situated next to a gorgeous park, on top of a hill overlooking Sestri Levante. Our room was fine, perhaps a little spartan, but clean and well maintained. The “beach/pool” area is what makes this hotel extra special and the reason I would stay here when I’m back in Liguria.

Set in a beautiful location this hotel could be the scene for a marvelous holiday . The restaurant was good and the view from the terrace is amazing . Unluckily having to wait 48 minutes to be served a drink on the terrace , the smell of smoke in the room , not mentioning the rudeness of a waiter when we asked a coffee at breakfast ( he told us there was quite a while to wait ) did not put us in a happy place . Finally , cherry on the cake , when we were checking out we tried to explain to the manager why these things should not happen in a hotel whose nightly rate is 300 euros for a very simple room with no black out curtains , she just would not listen and waived the 20 euro per person daily fee for the beach ! We were just trying to give her a feedback , albeit a negative one . Irene Granelli

(Photos only)

Magnifique hôtel, situe en hauteur avec une vue sur la ville d’un côté et sur la mer de l’autre. Très bon petit déjeuner, un bar et un restaurant guide Michelin pour le diner. Personnel charmant, chambres ambiance château. Vraiment à recommander !