EXTRA COST - NOT MENTIONED ON HOTEL WEBSITE - Private Beach (on which you are constantly bombarded with people trying to sell you crap or give you a massage) - 18 Euro's for 2 sun loungers (which are most uncomfortable and a parasol) in the week / 24 Euro's at the weekend.
EXTRA COST - NOT MENTIONED ON HOTEL WEBSITE - Beach/Pool Towels - 10 Euro depost and then 5 Euro's for each towel change!
EXTRA COST - Car Park - 15 Euro's a nights (more expensive than other hotels)

So, I booked 2 single rooms last November. I asked for the rooms to be on the same floor. On arrival, I was told I would be in one room for that night and would then have to change.

Both rooms were really dingy - I complained - there was 'nothing they could do'. Being unable to challenge further, we had to stick it out but felt most aggrieved about the whole thing.

We ventured over to the 'Private Beach' at around 4pm (it closes at 7pm) - Mr 'I'm too Cool to be Cool' beach man tried charging us a full day, but then 'did us a favour' and let us have the beds for free.

Next day - Sinora 'Unhelpful' took our money and had us escorted to rubbish beds. I complained and was told they could offer nothing else as all the other beds were 'reserved'. I perservered and after showing us a few other locations, eventually they took us from beds at the furthest away from the sea to E1 right at the waterfront!

We were also told that beds are normally reserved - something which the hotel website also doesn't tell you - so we made sure we reserved for the rest of our stay!

I've read other entries about this hotel, unfortunately after booking. Some referred to the poor continental breakfast - it was actually alright. The only complaint I would have is that we were are captive inside, no access to sitting outside on a wonderfully warm, sunny day - which is why most of have gone there surely?!

But, Sestre Levante itself and the surrounding area is lovely. Make sure to miander off into the back streets, as there are lots of little gems to find - bars, places to eat, boutiques etc.

The train station is very handy, reliable and cheap. For aroudn 4 Euro's return, It takes you to Rapallo which is a bit livlier, then onto St Margheritta, from where you have access to Porto Fino.

I've been before and stayed at Grand Villa Balbi, another 4* just along (I couldn't get in this time) - far superior, what you would expect from a 4* hotel.

We would never stay there again

The hotel is comfortable and well maintained, good pool on the roof, good location, friendly staff. The problem was the food, very basic continental breakfast, no fresh fruit. Dinner had two choices of edible but boring meals brought out by waiters, not silver service.
Dining room was more like a canteen than a restaurant.
The private beach opposite which carried the hotel's name was not free but charged between 10 euros and 18 euros per visit.
Drinks were very expensive eg small bottle of beer approx half pint 4 euros. On the first day half litre or one pint bottles were selling for 6 euros which was much better value, they disappeared on the second day and never reappeared.
These comments are a great shame because the hotel is very nice, the problem is 4 star price but 2 star service.

I really wanted to like this hotel. My husband and I came here to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. The location is pretty good, but next time I would prefer to stay closer to the Bay of Silence. The Grande Albergo was probably an amazing hotel many years ago, but today it does not meet the standards of a "Grand Hotel". The hallway walls were cracked and in need of a new paint job. The room decor was very outdated. The TV was tiny and only a few channels. The bathroom definitely needs to be renovated. We were however pleased to have a balcony. However value for money is poor. Breakfast was included in our price. It was decent but nothing special. The pastries were not as fresh as I have experienced other places in Italy. The pool on the rooftop was seriously a joke. Any pictures you may come across make it seem big, but trust me, it's not! Also, there is very little space to lay around the poolside, so don't bother. Overall, we LOVE Sestri Levante, but won't be staying at this hotel on our next visit.

Very nicely situated in the middle of town right on the main street across from the beach. They have their own private section of the beach where you can rent a chair to relax. The drinks and chair at the beach are not cheap but then again none of the other hotels on the beach will be cheaper. They all charge the same. Breakfast I believe was free and it was a very nice sit down buffet. Full course buffet. I have traveled extensively in europe and you do not find many places that will serve a breakfast so fancy. The rooms where nice. Big. The only problem was with mosiquitos. The mosiquitos are everywhere in sestri levante but we believe the mosquitos in the room are do to the type of ceiling grid used in the room that is perforated and the air conditioning up in the ceiling is providing the perfect place for them to live. I must have killed 20 in my room. 20 in my parents room. 20 in my brothers room. Just make sure to use bug spray always! Outside has alot of mosquitos so dont let the fact that they are in the room sway you from staying here. The hotel is very close to shopping and resturaunts. Go out the door and make a left and the next block has very good food for a decent price. The area is picture perfect! The train station is very close. maybe 3-4 blocks from the hotel. It is in a little bit of the shadier side of the town but nothing I would consider very dangerous. It would be very similar to the area around nice's train station but a little better then nice(france). I actually took the train from nice to sestri levante and LOVED Sestri much better then nice. I plan on going back and if I dont stay for a extended stay at a rented house i will be staying at this hotel. The farther up the hill you go up in sestri levante the less and less mosquitos you find. The pool on the roof was nice and had a life gaurd/bar tender. Its not big but nice and you can see the views of the mountains. The water at the beach is warm. Gravel/ sand beach if i remember correctly. Great water.