Grand Hotel Villa Balbi

If the gods had a favorite playground, it could easily be the Italian Riviera. All the world's best elements combine here to gently force you to relax and enjoy. Just imagine: deep azure water, rugged flowering coastlines, pastel-hued fishing villages, year-round warm sunshine, well-equipped sandy beaches, historic churches, superior cuisine, stately old hotels, friendly residents.... How could anyone possibly be in a bad mood? This part of Italy is the perfect place to take a few days off and unwind between bouts of hectic sightseeing in the cities and art towns of the inland.

Of course it is not an unknown paradise. Every month of the year, there are plenty of tourists in nearby Portofino and the Cinqueterre. That's why our favorite Riviera town is Sestri Levante, a pretty little resort town that boasts the special advantage of having not one but two harbors. On the south side is a picturesque fisherman's port; on the north is a broad beach. Only a few yards from the sand, yet completely surrounded by the quiet park that fronts onto the beach, is the Grand Hotel Villa Balbi. As is immediately evident the moment you see it, this was once the home of some very important Ligurians. The ornate mansion was actually built in the 17th century to be the summer residence of Genoa’s ruler, Il Doge. In the 1800s it was bought by the Balbi family, many of whose astounding homes are now open to the public. Eventually the building became a grand hotel, but all the trappings of the wealthy aristocracy are still here in the public rooms as well as in many of the guest rooms.

Inside, this four-star hotel is as fascinating as any museum. In the old villa, there are vaulted and frescoed ceilings, tapestries, antique furniture, stunning parquet floors and carved casement ceilings. Sunlight pours into the large windows and French doors of the public rooms and the air-conditioned guest rooms. You'll find all the modern amenities you expect from a hotel of this caliber (direct-dial telephone with modem connection , satellite television, mini-bar and modern private bathrooms with hair dryers). Some of the rooms have whirlpool bathtubs; most have views of the sea or the park. The three suites are all on the piano nobile (first floor) of the old villa and have huge rooms with soaring ceilings and very tall windows. One has a queen bedroom, a separate twin bedroom, and a hall bathroom with whirlpool tub; another has a large living room with one or two single sofabeds, a queen bedroom with sea view, and a hall bathroom with bathtub and separate stall shower; the third has a living room that can have one or two single beds in it, a queen bedroom with sea view, and a hall bathroom with whirlpool tub and separate stall shower (“hall bathroom” means that there is a hall inside the suite with a bathroom off it that can be accessed independently by the people sleeping in the bedroom or in the living room).

There is also a second building across the street, right on the beach. Originally built at the beginning of the 20 th-century, it is a delightful art nouveau folly that was totally gutted and restored in 2002. It now offers beautiful junior suites, most of which have a sitting area below and sleep loft with bathroom above. Whether you stay in the ancient villa or the beach house, all of In Italy Online's guests are treated to the following special amenities at no extra charge: free daily newspaper in the language of your choice, delivered to your room; excellent toiletry sets; terrycloth robe and slippers; a hospitality basket of fresh fruit; and complimentary mini-bar consumption.

In the morning, your buffet breakfast is served on the terrace overlooking the park and beach. Later in the day, taste some of the seafood and international specialties at Il Parco, which moves out to the garden in warmer months. Be sure to try the pesto: this is where it comes from!

Naturally if you are here from May through September you will want to take advantage of the hotel's heated pool and private beach. For an entertaining (and easy) excursion, hop on a ferry and cruise north to Portofino, Rapallo and Santa Margherita, or just a few miles south to the fascinating Cinqueterre and Portovenere. You can also go by train. If you are driving, we recommend you consider taking a day trip inland to visit the charming mountain villages that are easily accessible even though they are truly off-the-beaten-track. Chances are you, like so many European travelers, will decide to start taking an annual stopover on the beautiful Italian Riviera.

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OPEN JANUARY 7-OCTOBER 15, 2008

Nightly B&B Rates for 2008 (per room) Two-Night Minimum
Includes taxes, services & breakfast
	Low Season: Jan. 7-March 20 March 26-April 30 Oct. 1-15	Mid Season: May 1-June 30 Sept. 1-30	High Season: March 21-25 July 1-Aug. 31
Superior Double Room	260.00 EURO	295.00 EURO	320.00 EURO
Superior Double Room w/ extra bed	305.00 EURO	340.00 EURO	365.00 EURO
Family Suite	340.00 EURO	360.00 EURO	400.00 EURO
Junior Suite without Sea View	260.00 EURO	295.00 EURO	320.00 EURO
Junior Suite with Sea View	330.00 EURO	350.00 EURO	390.00 EURO
Additional bed	45.00 EURO	45.00 EURO	45.00 EURO

Click here to consult a calendar

Hotel parking is complimentary for guests in superior rooms and junior suites. It costs 10 Euro per day for all other guests.
Children 0-6 years stay free of charge in their parents' double room.
Reservations for the beach are required: make them the evening prior or very early in the morning (two beach chairs, a beach umbrella and a table are complimentary for guests in junior suites and cost 25 Euro/day for other guests).

Click here for information about regular boat service between Portofino, Rapallo, Santa Margherita, Cinque Terre and San Fruttuoso.

Click here for information about private transfers to the property.

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