We thoroughly enjoyed staying at the Vis a Vis for four nights in December 2011 and we cannot compliment the staff high enough.

Upon arrival the Reception staff greeted us by name, quickly check us in, then piled us with information on the local area and easily answered any queries we had. We normally avoid eating in hotel restaurants, but chose to on our first night because of the late hour of our arrival. The maître d' quickly settled us into a window table for two away from other guests, was confident in his advice on the menu (e.g. described the fish of the day when it was not a species that we knew) plus he selected a wine for us that was most enjoyable, reasonably priced and perfectly accompanied our delicious food. Based on this experience we ate again in the restaurant on our last night and were not disappointed. The breakfast buffet was also a highlight with a variety of pastries, bread, yoghurt, fresh fruit, cereals and cold cuts. The strawberries (out of season?) were the best I’ve ever had.

Our Standard Double room could be described as on the small side with not a lot of room to manoeuvre around the bed (usual two singles zipped together), but there were two large wardrobes, lots of powerpoints, and a decent sized flatscreen TV. Our balcony overlooked the “Bay of Silence” and it was wonderful to watch the sunrises and sunsets. Alternatively we could close the security screen for complete darkness. The bathroom was tiny and only had a shower (no bath) but it spotlessly clean with a nice selection of toiletries plus a proper hairdryer. The reverse cycle air-conditioning was quiet and certainly kept the room warm. Half way through re-packing on our last night we took a break for dinner, and returned to find housekeeping had completely tidied our room during our absence, folded our discarded clothing into neat little piles and turned down the bed.

The hotel is situated on top of a hill, 5 – 10 minutes by taxi from the train station (via one-way streets) or a 20 minute walk at a brisk pace. Warning: there was no taxi rank at this train station when we visited Sestri Lavante. The hotel has its own private lift from the carpark/taxi drop off point at township level up to Reception so no need to worry about steps. From the lift entrance it is an easy and quick stroll to bars, cafes, the tourist shopping area and beach. The hotel’s restaurant / breakfast room is on the top floor with fantastic views over Sestri Levante. The outdoor swimming pool was large and would be inviting during summer (the bar was closed for winter). The hotel interior is tastefully decorated and quiet (although this could have been because we were there in off-season when there were fewer guests).

Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

We stayed 4 nights in September. We booked a sea view room and were put initially in one at the back of the hotel with a sea view only when out on the balcony (mentioned by a previous reviewer). However, the worst thing about this room was that the next room had a balcony at right angles so people sat on the balcony had a full view of the interior of the room. When we asked to be moved, the staff knew exactly what we meant (must have had the same complaint many times) and relocated us to a room with a much better view. They really should give up calling this room 'sea view' and make the two rooms into a suite. In fact the non-sea views on the other side of the hotel were very impressive and we would have preferred these to the first room we were given.

As everyone has said the views from the restaurant and bar are amazing and the communal areas including the pool area are great. The staff were all very friendly and efficient. The reception staff particularly were very knowledgeable about the area and very helpful.

Car parking area is quite tight but the staff will park your car and help you get out again.

The breakfast was not over impressive, but typical for Italian hotels and adequate.

The pillows were very hard and uncomfortable. It would be so simple to replace them with something of better quality.

The town and area were really interesting with lots to see. We would return.

The first night we arrive, the hotel staff had an evening reception on the top floor. It was an absolute stunning view of the water,and the boats on the bay. The room were very immaculate, and the hotel staff friendly. The room we were in had a private courtyard with table and lounge chairs for drinks, relaxing, reading a book, or chatting. Every meal in the restaurant from breakfast to dinner was exceptional. The swimming pool is beautiful, with a section that you can turn on the jaccuzzi water spray. It was such a relaxing hotel, with great trattorias and restaurants within walking distance, as is the beach.

We had a reservation for a sea view room for 4 nights in July. We were given a room at the 1st floor (no 107), where you had to go out on the balcony, turn right and bend over the railing to the next balcony to have a partial sea view. We asked for a better room, and fortunately we were able to move to a room on the 2nd floor (no 214) and stay there for 3 out of 4 nights. Much better!

On the 1st and 2nd floor it's just the suites that have a really amazing sea view, while the rooms at the 3rd floor probably are much better. However, the panorama from the restaurant, roof terrace and bar area, however, are stunning.

The breakfast was impeccable, with a good selection of food. The valet parking is free and works well. The location is convenient - 5 minutes from the town center of Sestri Levante by elevator and a tunnel through the mountain. Overall the service was very professional, but maybe not so personal.

When calling the restaurant one evening to order room service (as Norwegians we wanted to follow the terrible terror act in Oslo on CNN), we were told that there was a special event in the restaurant and very busy... We convinced the person to make us some food by choosing a very simple pasta dish.

For some reason the hotel had a lot of Norwegian guests while we were there, and they were not travelling as a group. Coming from such a small country we're not used to meet that many fellow citizens on vacation abroad. Not the hotels fault; but we felt we heard our mother tongue more othen than Italian, and that wasn't very charming :-)

Vis a Vis is a great hotel for guest (especially families) who wants to spend a lot of time in the hotel's common areas, by the pool, in the restaurant and bar. For a couple like us, who spent the days experiencing Sestri Levante and the Liguria cost by car, we could do with a hotel with less facilities, and pay less than 280 euros per night.