My boyfriend and I spent 4 days in the King's Residence Hotel in July.
I agree with a previous review about the hotel rooms, they do not live up to expectation as they are quite basic (even if our room was big, and the terrace had a breathtaking view!!) and the decor is dated.

Despite some previous comments, we found that the restaurant served very good food but unfortunately the ambience and the restaurant itself are a bit sterile. Some people might consider these faults unacceptable for a 4-star hotel but in my opinion the settings, the astonishing view from the path and the beautiful bay itself certainly compensate for these minor faults.

The staff are quite helpful and attentive (on the day we left, as it was early in the morning, the hotel gave us 2 packed breakfast containing fruit, jam, sandwiches etc. They were very helpful and assisted with the planning of my journey back to Ancona). Don’t be fooled by their recommendation of a country- restaurant (agriturismo) "L'Isca delle donne" be aware that you could be disappointed with the hotel owner’s family restaurant (we were..). Being Italian, I had the expectation of a proper country restaurant serving dishes of wild-bore, duck, game etc but unfortunately, on the night we dined the meager choice was either pork and veal...the upside the was that the starters were really good and filling!!!!

The hotel’s gardens are absolutely marvelous: the pool bar, the park, the beautiful swimming pool and the breakfast terrace all have wonderful views over the sea especially the awesome view you can enjoy from the path which leads down to the bay. The path is well kept and the contrast between the green of the vegetation, the blue sky and the colourful sea makes the walk to the bay very picturesque. The slope down the beach is not hard at all, even though if you have to walk down 460 steps!!! Only the last flight of steps is somewhat difficult to traverse . Even my boyfriend, who is a bit on the lazy side, accompanied me to the beach and back every time. The bay is very pretty and has a cozy atmosphere and the water is very clear.

I would highly recommend the boat trip to "Baia degli Infreschi". If you cannot depart from Palinuro, which can sometime be the case due to the sea state, the boats of “Coop. del Cilento” leave every day from the more protected Marina di Camerota to Baia degli Infreschi, though this too can be weather permitting.

The view from the hill over the bay is gorgeous and the water so clear!!!

If you happen to be in Marina di Camerota, not far from "Le lentiscelle" beach, you could try the restaurant "Lo chalet". We stopped there for a quick lunch; we had seafood pasta and a pizza. Our food was delicious and the food going around other tables looked very fresh and smelled lovely!!! Also, the chef was very friendly!

We thoroughly enjoy our stay in this hotel!

Alessia (Italy) &John (U.K.)

We have been ther, is nice place, the vew is fantastic; very good retaurant, all the staf has been helpful and the the hotel is very pleasant. We recommend to go in this hotel, is on the hill of Palinuro, and from ther You can look the Baia Buondormire. Mr. Merola see You again, thanks for Your high quality services that we received.

My family and another booked rooms with the understanding that this was a Four Star hotel. Not sure who rated the hotel, but it was not "a gem". The air conditioning was weak (at best) and the hotel routinely turns the a/c off between the hours of 0200 and 0700 - this despite the fact that it was nearly +30 degrees C during those hours - and the rooms were not insulated, but standard, Italian brick. No ice machines (standard in Europe). The pool was nice with an outstanding view. Know that the beach lies about 1/2 mile walk down a cliff. Fantastic beach, but difficult to navigate with small children. Food was good with excellent outdoor pizza stand. The hotel was not horrible, but also was not great. For people accustomed to US and UK standards for resorts, you'll find this place extremely frustrating.

Having read some reviews before departure we were a little nervous about staying at the Kings Residence. However, I would just like to say that we enjoyed perhaps our best ever holiday here and can't wait to go back there many more times. The surroundings are spectacular, the views are wonderful and the hotel is fantastic. We cannot imagine a more idylliic location; the staff in the hotel were helpful, courteous and efficient; the food and wine - wonderful!!! ; it was such a delight to have waiter service for dinner and to be served a varied selection of fresh Italian cuisine. It was so refreshing not to be served chips!!! The outside restaurant was superb too - and Maitre Nicola was very attentive and obliging. The rooms were of a good size, well furnished and clean - they did not have that "wow" factor, but the rest of the hotel certainly did. Our room had a terrace and its own private garden with views of the fabulous coastline. We can't wait to go back next year!!!!