Hotel Delle Rose

I can safely say that our all too short stay at Hotel Delle Rose in Rapallo was the best in my 60 years. And, for context, I should point out that I appreciate old buildings for what they are and am not a fan of modern hotels, particularly ones which could be anywhere in the world. The proprietor, Enrico, was the most solicitous person ever on the wet and late evening of our arrival, and I felt like a 1920s starlet being ushered in with an umbrella held over me. Friendly, genuine and very, very helpful. As we had been travelling for 12 hours we were famished and our host had no hesitation advising us on the local pizza menu on his hotel computer for it to be delivered to our room. That, and a rather nice bottle of Prosecco, and we were shown to our delightful room. The hotel is a 1908 art deco villa with the most fabulous design features and reminds of the time when it was common to do the Grand Tour (think A Room With a View). It has retained most of its generous charms and there is no denying its heritage. The sweeping marble stair, the crystal chandeliers and intricate terrazzo floors ensure it. Our room (No. 3) was spacious and was to the front. The all important bed was very comfortable (Italian mattresses are among the best in the world, of course) and some antique furniture completed the look. There is heating, which was welcome with the January weather, and the view from our window was wonderful- a real mix of old and new(er) Italy. With only 10 rooms this hotel is super quiet and compared to the modern ones in the UK that we'd stayed in days earlier- a joy. The ensuite shower room was accessed by a very narrow door and was basic, spotless, and perfect as it was. Which brings me to the reviews of this hotel calling for modernisation- in my opinion there is nothing that needs to be changed, except, perhaps, the addition of more antique furniture to fully reinstate the glory of this amazing place. Anything "modern" would ruin the ambience and you would miss the grandeur of a bygone era. Breakfast is served in a triple aspect series of rooms and the views through the grand windows is stunning. The buffet-style breakfast was the very finest I have ever had in a hotel, and that is no exaggeration. Yes, I was a little wary of the big coffee "vending machine", but the latte macchiato was delicious and I had to indulge with a second cup. If there is one note of caution, and it is absolutely not a criticism, it is that the hotel is set up high off the road and there are steps to climb up to it. For me, as a mobility-impaired guest, I fortunately found the steps gentle enough to not struggle too much. But be advised- this may not suit wheelchair users. Note also that parking at the hotel is limited to two or three vehicles (due to its position on the side of a hill and a narrow road below) but there is a carpark across the road and down a side road where hotel guests can park with a hotel parking card (which you will be given at reception) which is a 3 minute walk away (so leave your cases, get the parking card and then move the car to the carpark). As we were leaving we got chatting with the proprietors and it turns out that they they had only very recently taken this wonderful place on. We wish them the very best for the future!!! They very much deserve it. In review- we were so very sorry to have only managed to stay one night and promised to return soon. The area is wonderful and we would have loved to taken up our hosts' advice of where to spend time and what to see. Next time!