Excelsior Palace Hotel on Postcard

"A grand dame in the Belle Epoque holiday tradition, the Excelsior Palace opened in Rapallo in 1901, as Italy’s first casino and one of the Riviera di Levante’s most celebrated society haunts, where the likes of Rita Hayworth and the king of Jordan hobnobbed over Aperol spritzes on the seafront terrace.Nowadays, the casino is gone, but the cognoscenti return, attracted by the old world glamour of the hotel’s soaring columns and arched windows, yacht club–style bars and infinity pools overlooking a private beach, as well as the opulent rooms overlooking the Tigullio Gulf. Astay here takes you back to a bygone era, where boat excursions and afternoon aperitivos are de rigueur.Just don’t forget the fedora and oversize sunglasses."

The Best Hotels in Italy

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"A grand dame in the Belle Epoque holiday tradition, the Excelsior Palace opened in Rapallo in 1901, as Italy’s first casino and one of the Riviera di Levante’s most celebrated society haunts, where the likes of Rita Hayworth and the king of Jordan hobnobbed over Aperol spritzes on the seafront terrace.Nowadays, the casino is gone, but the cognoscenti return, attracted by the old world glamour of the hotel’s soaring columns and arched windows, yacht club–style bars and infinity pools overlooking a private beach, as well as the opulent rooms overlooking the Tigullio Gulf. Astay here takes you back to a bygone era, where boat excursions and afternoon aperitivos are de rigueur.Just don’t forget the fedora and oversize sunglasses."

The Best Hotels in Genoa

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Isabel Lim

Google

I had a really good short stay here in November. It was quieter than usual (only passed it in the summer when it was extremely busy). They have a great location, proper 5-star service. The mirrors in the room were a little old but that's part of the charm. The entire hotel looked like an 18th century aristocrat's home inside. It was beautiful.

Jane W

Google

From the minute we arrived it was all we remembered from our January visit. Our room was to die for - beautifully decorated and with stunning views to the bay in Rapallo and to the sea. All the hotel staff are so lovely and accommodating. The bar is great fun with ample snacks with any drink order and we loved dining in the restaurant again. Marco and his team are first class. The location is the perfect base for Rapallo old town (best deli ever and some great cafes and restaurants) Cinque Terre with the Rapallo train station 15 mins away and local gems such as Portofino and Santa Maria Ligure in walking distance if you are up for a long walk - a short taxi otherwise. Despite average weather for October the 5 days we stayed there, we love, love, love this hotel and can’t wait to return soon. It truly is perfection.

Batu Balci

Google

This would be a 3(at best 4) start hotel in any other part of the world. The basic rooms are extremely tiny. There is not enough room to open 2 suitcases in the room. Considering that they are charging 700+ euro+/night during high season, this is not acceptable. The walls are also super thin and you can hear everything going on in the hallways and the adjacent rooms. We wanted a toothpaste and the ones they gave us had expired in 2021! There is a huge hill/stairs at the hotel entrance and no shuttle whatsoever. A small golf cart would've made everyone happier, but again customer service is not really their top of mind here. Breakfast: The options are very limited and taste bad. The smoked salmon was black and about to go bad. Some of the tomatoes had already gone bad! I am thinking that with the Google reviews and the 5 stars, this hotel ran a very good marketing campaign to achieve its status but it certainly does not live up to it. We were very unhappy - definitely stay away from this property.

Milton Brownrigg

Google

Currently staying at this grand hotel for six nights, and I'm delighted to do so. This is a 5-star hotel with nothing but charm and elegance. Beautifully appointed throughout, with the most opulent main foyer. The Excelsior sets the standard to be met by others. Our room overlooks the sea from the balcony. We had the pleasure of dining in the Lord Byron restaurant, which gave us a culinary experience beyond measure, one we'll never forget. Looking forward to the next 5 nights and will be sad to leave. 5 stars

Elaine M

Google

The old grande dame of Rappallo, we were expecting great things of this iconic hotel on the coast. Indeed the main public rooms are grand and impressive although outside space for sitting was limited. Our room was tiny and ill-furnished, facing the car park, it cost way too much. The food in the restaurant was adequate but mediocre, certainly not special. This place s living on past glories and needs to wake up...

Ivy Zak

Google

An expensive negative surprise. Upon arrival we had realized that the next 5 coming nights wouldn’t be as described by the hotel. The premises were completely outdated, it felt like timetravelling back to the 1970’s; The smell, the furniture, the old dirty dusty carpets full of stains, the decoration, the TV and most importantly the bathrooms (shower inclusive stains of mold) and the outdoor pool/beach area that needs a serious maintenance and makeover. Charging people around 1000€ per night for a deluxe double room during high season and marketing an illusion of a 5 star palace hotel is just inappropriate. On another note, the staff is really helpful and tries everything to make the guest’s stay as pleasant as possible. Overall the hotel could have much more potential if the management would reconsider their current mentality and reinvest to catch up in time and hygiene. We would certainly not recommend to visit this place.

CraigC

Google

I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Excelsior Hotel in Rapallo, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The hotel, nestled on the picturesque Ligurian coast, offers stunning views of the sea, and its location is perfect for exploring the charming town of Rapallo and nearby Portofino. The rooms was elegantly furnished, spacious and had a balcony with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean, making it the perfect spot to unwind after a day of sightseeing. The housekeeping staff maintained impeccable cleanliness throughout our stay. The outdoor pool, surrounded by lush gardens, was a relaxing haven. The hotel also features a well-equipped fitness center and a luxurious spa that offers a range of treatments, perfect for unwinding. The staff at the Excelsior Hotel truly made our stay unforgettable. They were professional, friendly, and went above and beyond to ensure we had a pleasant experience. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a luxurious and relaxing getaway on the Italian Riviera.

Carolyn C

Google

We had an amazing stay at this hotel. The staff were unbelievably kind and hospitable (they upgraded our room since our room was not ready on time-shoutout to Marie). The drinks and food were great. Giuseppe from the bar takes care of you. The location is awesome- you’re within walking distance to downtown Rapallo which is very charming. I will definitely be coming back and I’ve already recommended this place to family and friends.

Isabel Lim

Google

I had a really good short stay here in November. It was quieter than usual (only passed it in the summer when it was extremely busy). They have a great location, proper 5-star service. The mirrors in the room were a little old but that's part of the charm. The entire hotel looked like an 18th century aristocrat's home inside. It was beautiful.

Jane W

Google

From the minute we arrived it was all we remembered from our January visit. Our room was to die for - beautifully decorated and with stunning views to the bay in Rapallo and to the sea. All the hotel staff are so lovely and accommodating. The bar is great fun with ample snacks with any drink order and we loved dining in the restaurant again. Marco and his team are first class. The location is the perfect base for Rapallo old town (best deli ever and some great cafes and restaurants) Cinque Terre with the Rapallo train station 15 mins away and local gems such as Portofino and Santa Maria Ligure in walking distance if you are up for a long walk - a short taxi otherwise. Despite average weather for October the 5 days we stayed there, we love, love, love this hotel and can’t wait to return soon. It truly is perfection.

Batu Balci

Google

This would be a 3(at best 4) start hotel in any other part of the world. The basic rooms are extremely tiny. There is not enough room to open 2 suitcases in the room. Considering that they are charging 700+ euro+/night during high season, this is not acceptable. The walls are also super thin and you can hear everything going on in the hallways and the adjacent rooms. We wanted a toothpaste and the ones they gave us had expired in 2021! There is a huge hill/stairs at the hotel entrance and no shuttle whatsoever. A small golf cart would've made everyone happier, but again customer service is not really their top of mind here. Breakfast: The options are very limited and taste bad. The smoked salmon was black and about to go bad. Some of the tomatoes had already gone bad! I am thinking that with the Google reviews and the 5 stars, this hotel ran a very good marketing campaign to achieve its status but it certainly does not live up to it. We were very unhappy - definitely stay away from this property.

Milton Brownrigg

Google

Currently staying at this grand hotel for six nights, and I'm delighted to do so. This is a 5-star hotel with nothing but charm and elegance. Beautifully appointed throughout, with the most opulent main foyer. The Excelsior sets the standard to be met by others. Our room overlooks the sea from the balcony. We had the pleasure of dining in the Lord Byron restaurant, which gave us a culinary experience beyond measure, one we'll never forget. Looking forward to the next 5 nights and will be sad to leave. 5 stars

Elaine M

Google

The old grande dame of Rappallo, we were expecting great things of this iconic hotel on the coast. Indeed the main public rooms are grand and impressive although outside space for sitting was limited. Our room was tiny and ill-furnished, facing the car park, it cost way too much. The food in the restaurant was adequate but mediocre, certainly not special. This place s living on past glories and needs to wake up...

Ivy Zak

Google

An expensive negative surprise. Upon arrival we had realized that the next 5 coming nights wouldn’t be as described by the hotel. The premises were completely outdated, it felt like timetravelling back to the 1970’s; The smell, the furniture, the old dirty dusty carpets full of stains, the decoration, the TV and most importantly the bathrooms (shower inclusive stains of mold) and the outdoor pool/beach area that needs a serious maintenance and makeover. Charging people around 1000€ per night for a deluxe double room during high season and marketing an illusion of a 5 star palace hotel is just inappropriate. On another note, the staff is really helpful and tries everything to make the guest’s stay as pleasant as possible. Overall the hotel could have much more potential if the management would reconsider their current mentality and reinvest to catch up in time and hygiene. We would certainly not recommend to visit this place.

CraigC

Google

I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Excelsior Hotel in Rapallo, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The hotel, nestled on the picturesque Ligurian coast, offers stunning views of the sea, and its location is perfect for exploring the charming town of Rapallo and nearby Portofino. The rooms was elegantly furnished, spacious and had a balcony with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean, making it the perfect spot to unwind after a day of sightseeing. The housekeeping staff maintained impeccable cleanliness throughout our stay. The outdoor pool, surrounded by lush gardens, was a relaxing haven. The hotel also features a well-equipped fitness center and a luxurious spa that offers a range of treatments, perfect for unwinding. The staff at the Excelsior Hotel truly made our stay unforgettable. They were professional, friendly, and went above and beyond to ensure we had a pleasant experience. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a luxurious and relaxing getaway on the Italian Riviera.

Carolyn C

Google

We had an amazing stay at this hotel. The staff were unbelievably kind and hospitable (they upgraded our room since our room was not ready on time-shoutout to Marie). The drinks and food were great. Giuseppe from the bar takes care of you. The location is awesome- you’re within walking distance to downtown Rapallo which is very charming. I will definitely be coming back and I’ve already recommended this place to family and friends.

Todd P.

Yelp

We absolutely adored our quick trip (2days) to Rapallo and this charming hotel. Beautiful views, excellent service and perfectly located. Drove to Rapallo after spending 3 days at Lake Como (hotel reviewed separately). We arrived on Sunday afternoon (drove in from Como). Upon checking in, weather was perfect so we went out to the pool area for some fresh made Bellini's and to catch some rays. Very nice and large area to lay out. Walked down the steps for a dip in the Sea. The gym is also excellent. Fully stocked with machines and free weights/dumbbells, treadmills and elliptical. Plan was to drive to Portofino for dinner. Being that it was Sunday evening and Mother's Day, traffic was light and parking was easy. Took advice from Angelo at front desk and went to a fabulous restaurant in Portofino "Dai Gemilli". (Amazing! Highly recommend) The next day we caught the ferry and took a trip back to Portofino to see the sights and light shopping. Ferried to Santa Margherita for lunch and walking around and back to our hotel. Will definitely stay here again our next trip to the area.

Alex K.

Yelp

If you have never stayed at a quality hotel then this will be a fine experience for you. They are clearly coasting on the beautiful location that they are lucky to have. The hotel is well past it's golden age and it shows. The Excelsior Palace Hotel is a joke and a disgrace to all 5 star hotels. I have been treated better at a truck stop gas station, the staff (aside from a select few) are all extremely unprofessional and unpleasant to be around. They do not listen and talk over you, have an attitude when you ask simple questions and punish you if you ask for help. If you are used to staying at 2-3 star hotels you will have a fine experience. But if you are looking for quality, you won't find it here. Your money will be better spent at a villa or literally anywhere else. I can't say I was satisfied after any meal and was shocked by the high price and dismal portions. I can't speak for the lord byron restaurant because it was closed while I was there. My review on the food is for the beach club restaurant. Additionally, they only offer a buffet style continental breakfast. If you don't care about sick children breathing on all your food before you eat it then enjoy! Whatever the case, I do not recommend this place to anyone and it's baffling to me that they are able to maintain a 5 state status.

The C.

Yelp

Beautiful hotel - classic old world. The beach club is beautiful plenty to do. Very relaxing.

Bonnie M.

Yelp

Really enjoyed our stay. The concierge was super helpful and the restaurant is Amazing! The staff is very professional and accommodating. The food exquisite! Try the salted fresh fish.

Melissa B.

Yelp

Staying at the Excelsior was definitely one of the highlights of my trip to Italy. The rooms were clean and the views were stunning. The lobby itself is beautifully adorned with baroque architecture and classical paintings. The breakfast in the mornings featured a wide array of cheeses, cold cuts, pastries, fruit, scrambled eggs and cooked meats. The infinity pool is worth checking out. I will say that the bar close to the infinity pool was a little overpriced. The location is fantastic. It was easy walking from the hotel to the center of Rapallo, which is close enough to do some day trips to Cinque Terre or Portofino. The train station is only about a 15 minute walk from the hotel or a 5 minute cab ride. Will definitely be back if I'm ever in the area!

Opal D.

Yelp

Outside bar was great. We didn't stay here but enjoyed the water views. Great service!

Samuel Q.

Yelp

We stayed here for 3 nights on our honeymoon, and had an incredible experience. The hotel is elegant and classic, and the view from our room was absolutely amazing. The hotel also has one of the most beautiful pools overlooking the ocean that I have ever seen. The only critique I have is the price of the food and drink. We paid about 25 Euro for a small meat and cheese plate at the casual bar (although I will say it was delicious). I thought the price of our room was very reasonable, given the incredible facilities and view. Rapallo is a bit sleepy and the main harbor is mostly touristy restaurants, but it is a close shot to Cinque Terre and Portafino, which are both incredible.

Suzette S.

Yelp

This fabulous hotel has a stunning view. Lobby and halls full of great paintings and art history. Rooms are comfy and service good. Restaurant and lounge with a stunning terrace view.

Lauren M.

Yelp

This was the best week we have ever spent anywhere in the world. This hotel is beautifully located with Ocean views as well as mountain views. The staff is accommodating in every way. Ali' stood out to us the most. Each night he remembered our orders and made us feel at home. He did everything possible to make our experience perfect. Staying at a five-star hotel is also accompanied with challenging snobby guests. We saw multiple instances where guests were being ridiculous and rude. The staff handled the situation with the up most professionalism. Another manager that stood out to us was Marco. He was very professional and did everything he could to make sure all guests (even the snobby ones and entitled ones) were kept overly satisfied even when the guests were COMPLETELY in the wrong. You will be extremely happy if you choose to book a stay at this hotel.

Excelsior Palace Hotel

Excelsior Palace Hotel

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