Hotel Santa Lucia

We’ve never had a worse hotel experience. We travel Italy a lot. We knew something was wrong upon driving up. Barely a 2 star hotel. Fake plaster in front. Parking wedged in tennis courts. Our ocean view opened to a petite patio facing train track. The front of our room was by the pool - that had hotel sponsored music blaring until after midnight, even on a Sunday on Aug 27 2023. We were supposed to stay 4 nights and our elderly traveling companions could not take one night. Bed brick hard. Coverlet was polyester and thin as a sheet - see photo. We booked thru ********** and will not do that again. There’s a reason the photos are positioned how they are - it’s not nice. The “restaurant “ was akin to a conference room and served one type of meal, kids running amuck, white lights blaring. Staff checking us in was nice and despite being uncomfortable and noisy the room was clean. Aircon did not worn in one room, not good in August. We left at 6am after the first night. The hotel charged us 4 nights for the one we stayed. Hotel.com was useless to help. The front desk didn’t understand. And there was no one to talk to that had authority. I’ll put this review everywhere until the hotel refunds our 3 days that we did not stay. Do. Not. Stay. Here.

Main issue is lack of transportation and location. Only one free transport from hotel to Tropea. Taxi min 20 e and difficult to find. No way walking to Parghelia (nearest foodmarket). Waterbottles from the bar are more expensive than in Tropea. Only one (extra cost) transport in the evening to Tropea, but requires min 6 persons. You might have to use taxi several times/day. If you have a car, no problems.

We were based at this hotel for our first visit to Calabria and spent 6 nights here though we went on 3 trips. We loved the traditional style of the hotel and my wife made good use of the excellent pool. Our room was spacious with a good-sized terrace and the usual facilities expected from this type of hotel. The advertised evening entertainment never materialised (maybe seasonal), but we were happy enough to chat in the bar with the people on our trip. The hotel is slightly isolated and we were advised there is no nearby beach access, so effectively you had to use the shuttle bus to and from Tropea unless you wanted to stay within the hotel confines. Fortunately the shuttle was free, fairly regular and efficient. Breakfast offered a plentiful choice (particularly of cakes) and the evening meals met our high expectations, particularly as regards the exceptional pasta courses (each meal) and the fish dishes. With one exception, the staff were very helpful and friendly.

We spent here one wonderful week. Hotel area was very clean and staff took care of all around. Breakfast was great and dinner was different each night and as an vegetarian I was noticed very well. I appreciate that a lot! The only minus is that that dinner-menu were served way too fast and the waiters watched too close when the plate was empty so they could bring another one... But anyhow, food was good. Also the pool area was nice and clean and there was excellent service. Mille grazie a tutti voi e tanti saluti per il signore di piscina-bar! * Suvi *