This was my 2nd time at the hotel, as we stayed there 2 years ago, again for the Moto GP in San Marino. My husband and I travelled around Italy before we came to the hotel and arrived a day earlier than expected. We were greeted on reception by some staff who had been there 2 years ago and were told that they were fully booked (as we had anticipated) but that the Calpso Suite was available. It was priced on par with a normal double room we had paid for in the Almafi coast, so we snapped it up! Reception staff showed us up and as we walked in to a vert modern and quite obviously recently renovated room, we were overjoyed. There was a sitting area with tv, dvd and cd player, a large jacuzzi spa bath in the centre of the room, huge bed and luxurious en-suite, a 2nd tv with our own skybox and ample cupboard & wardrobe space. The blinds were closed and as the receptionist left the room, I opened one set of blinds....expecting to see a balcony....to my absolute delight it was the entire roof top terrace all to ourself! There was panoramic views of richionne, the beach and all along the coast, a table with chairs and loungers, and then we walked around the corner and we had our own sofas!!!!! Amazing accomodation!
We loved it so much we upgraded from our previously booked double room and kept the suite!
The hotel seems to have improved alot since our last visit! It seems to have had a wee makeover and looks alot better.
The staff were superb and very helpful and we found out from another couple stayin at the hotel that there is a curteousy bus from just outside the hotel (across from the campsite entrance) which took you straight to the San Marion autodrome for the moto gp on the saturday and sunday and then bought you straight back too! FREE OF CHARGE! Now this just wouldnt have happened in the UK!
We didnt have any meals in the hotel other than breakfast, which was served in the garden and was more than ample with a good selection of food and fantastic coffee! We did drink in the bar though and must mention Davided, who helped with our Italian and made th emost superb cocktails and also to Arteen, who was very helpful and chatty! Can I mention that at 4/5pm the hotel still puts out a selection of snacks for guests,,,,so good you had to hold back or ruin your dinner!
We ate at the restaurant next to the hotel (beside the supermarket), which was very reasonable and authentic...but then we were introduced to Porkys by two other guests. Walk out of the hotel and turn right until you get to the 2nd campsite. It is on your righthandside and we had the best food in our entire Italian tour! Very reasonable, very tasty and as the staff spoke little english, we got to use our italian! Marco, Baz and Oscar looked after us and always went out of their way! After every meal (the wine here is also to die for and VERY reasonable) we were given a free bottle of lemoncello to consume! Deadly, but gorgeous!
So all in all, I would totally recommend this hotel! Richionne isnt somewhere I'd go out of my way to holiday in...there are far more beautiful places in Italy, but for out needs it was fab!