Kulm is a spectacular property with very memorable views. Our accommodations were excellent with a balcony where we could sit and take in the coastline. Really nice. Another positive surprise was their wonderful dining room; sitting in front of open French doors, a cool breeze, city lights, fantastic service and food to match. Paolo the head waiter helped us to enjoy 2 great dinners without wandering down the hill. Their shuttle helped us to enjoy the fishing village atmosphere of Camogli while living above it all.

Stayed in this hotel for 4 night on a business matter. The first 2 nights were OK but on the third night it was friday and the hotel hosted a big company of visitors in their restaurant. The guys got drunk and became awfully noisy. We needed to get up early in the morning and it was already midnight so we called the lobby guy and asked him to stop the noise - he started to explain that this was the wedding and he can't stop it. Then I had to to really come off at him as I saw these guys in the restaurant and it was not a wedding it was just a party - he started to say that this was a business meeting and he can't do anything which proved that he was totally useless. We called the top manager of the hotel who promised us to calm the drunk people down but after 30 minutes nothing changed. Finally we went to these noisy guys and spoke frankly asking them to be quiet. Suddenly it appeared that most of them were not staying in the hotel ))) They called a taxi and went away. What a shame! The hotel doesn't care about the guests which pay money for the rooms but prefers to serve anyone who drinks in their restaurant. It's retarded. Stay there to enjoy the sea-view but avoid friday nights.

My boyfriend and I stayed here for three nights and I have to say I found it to be rather disappointing. The receptionist we christened 'Signora No', which was actually being very polite as she was really quite unhelpful. It's a big hotel and feels very impersonal, plus the bar snacks etc are a total rip off. That said it is clean and the views are fabulous, plus the facilities are very good for the price, even if the running machine wasn't working. In the heat of summer it is much cooler and airier up on the hill than down in the clammy Cenobio dei Dogi. Portofino Kulm is the much quieter hotel. I'm probably a little biased as I prefer charming small hotels and this is a large 4 star hotel in need of a refurb. The website implied that you got to use the facilities at its sister Cenobio dei Dogi, it is worth noting that you have to pay 20 euros per day to do so, but they were nice and did waive it for me both times I tried to go to the beach as it was late in the day and 'le sole scivoleva...'. It's also worth noting that the shuttle bus goes about 5 times a day and it's a 15 minute trip down to Camogli. This can be quite inconvenient if you don't want to get up at the crack of dawn as actually 5 buses a day is not that much. You have to book ahead to use the shuttle service so you end up having a very timetabled trip which I didn't find relaxing. The last bus goes at 10.30 from Camogli to Portofino Kulm and after that it's 27 euros plus the night rate for a taxi. The room was really nice though and the bathroom was beautifully done. My boyfriend would have given it 4 stars I suspect, but I have to say that it compares very unfavourably with cheaper hotels that i have stayed in in France, for example. Come on Italy, pull your finger out, stop charging so much and improve your service!

The room was quite small and the furniture looked quite old (also in style). The bathroom on the contrary was spacious and comfortable.
The main disappointment is the swimming pool which is only indoor. We were there on a sunny week end in May and we spent an afternoon in the sunbeds in the garden, very quiet and with great views (even though it's right in front of the street to the main entrance of the hotel, which is not ideal)
Breakfast is not great considering it's Italy. The buffet didn't have a great choice and the quality was poor.
The staff doesn't meet the standards of a 4 star hotel (while having breakfast you could hear waiters complaining about their boss, the service was quite slow etc)
There is a shuttle service which takes you to the hotel in camogli and back, you need to book it at the reception.
We liked the hotel and the price was reasonable (approx EUR 139 per double room) but if we were to go back we would stay in the hotel of the same chain in camogli, which is overlooking the sea and has an outdoor swimming pool.