The hotel was clean and accommodating. The food was good, there was a decent pool and the elevator worked. However, the wait staff was rude, Italian spoken or not. One red headed waiter had an absolute meltdown because a very pleasant Italian American lady in our group tried to tell him something funny her husband had said. All he wanted to know was did she want soup or pasta, & for her to quit wasting his time. She was embarassed to tears. Then the bartender treated my husband like a cretin for asking for anissetta, and my husband had asked in Italian. So maybe some people lucked out, but I thought there was an uncalled for amount of nasty on the part of the staff at that place! Of course you know people can't get fired in Italy, it's the law and obviously, they know it.

I read some of the previous reviews, and although I have no way of knowing for sure, came away with the idea the folks who wrote the negative reviews were expecting the sort of service one gets in capital-city tourist hotels.

We're talking about an industrial town in Italy, for heavens' sake!

I know a few hundred words of Italian, and taught a few dozen of those words to my colleagues. By beginning each conversation with the staff in Italian, even if it was only three or four words, my colleagues and I got excellent service.

Trying to get the staff to change dollars into euros? Are you kidding? Do you know of any hotel in middle America that changes euros into dollars? Ever hear of an ATM? There are plenty within walking distance of the Delfino.

By treating the front desk staff with respect, we got respect back. We got room upgrades without even asking for them. The rooms were clean, and the housekeeping staff attentive. By contrast, I saw a bunch from a tour group mouthing off to the front desk clerk on check-in; then saw them later complaining to each other about their rooms. Imagine that!

And oh by the way, the breakfasts had a wide selection and ample quantities of high-quality food. One day we even got a warning from the staff to delay our breakfast until a certain hour so a tour group that had been rather obnoxious to them over the previous few days would be finished eating, in their buses, and on their way.

Seems to me you get back what you give. I'd unhesitatingly recommend this hotel to business professionals, and to those who are willing to adapt their ways to those of the country they're visiting.

I am glad that I wasn't staying in the ordinary Delfino, if this was the Grand then the ordinary must be pretty poor. Very shabby, in need of considerable attention, pool green with algae, bar more shut than open, no service of any kind during the day. On the positive side a pretty reasonable breakfast served by attentive and helpful staff. I could not recommend it to anybody - it looks destined to become coach party territory only.

Our room at the Grand Hotel Delfino faced the seaport, it was spectacular, especially at sunset. We were able to see the ships coming in to port. We were within easy walking distance to shops and excellent restaurants.