Hotel de Paris Sanremo: Your Dream Italian Riviera Escape Awaits!
Hotel de Paris Sanremo: My Italian Riviera Dream (and a Few Hiccups!)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the Limoncello on my stay at the Hotel de Paris Sanremo. This place… well, it’s ambitious. It wants to be your Italian Riviera dream, and for the most part, it nails it. But, like any good Italian dish, it’s got a few unexpected ingredients that keep things interesting.
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Let's start with the basics, shall we?
First Impressions & Accessibility:
The outside? Magnifico. It's got that classic, stately look, right on the Corso. Imagine a postcard, and this is it. Getting there? Easy-peasy if you take advantage of the Airport transfer. We were a little frazzled after the flight (who isn't?), but the driver was a lifesaver. They also offer Valet parking, which is a true blessing because finding parking in Sanremo can be a contact sport. There's also Car park [on-site] and Bicycle parking if you're feeling more eco-friendly.
Now, for those of us who… ahem… need a little extra help, the Facilities for disabled guests were a decent effort. The Elevator is crucial, and the hallways seemed wide enough for a chair. But and I'm just being honest here I didn't take a deep dive on all the ramps, and honestly, my biggest concern was whether I could make it to that gloriously tempting Pool with view!
Internet & Tech: The Lifeblood of a Modern Nomad
Okay, internet. Listen, in this day and age, it's practically oxygen. Thank heavens for Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! The connection was generally good, which is crucial if you like to work and share your photos of the Swimming pool that is as glorious as the brochure promises. Though, I did have a moment of minor panic when it went down for like, an hour, prompting a mild, inner meltdown (okay, maybe a slight external one involving a raised eyebrow and a muttered "Maledizione!" under my breath). Internet [LAN] and Internet services are also available, which is great if you like to switch things up.
Rooms: My Temporary Kingdom (and a Few Minor Quibbles)
My room? Okay, my room was pretty darn fabulous. Let's start with the wins: Air conditioning that actually worked (a HUGE plus in the Italian summer!), a seriously comfy Extra long bed, and a Balcony! The view was… breath-taking. Pure, unadulterated beauty. It had all the Available in all rooms essentials but felt a bit… staged, even after a week.
There were Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains (!), Closets, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, and Window that opens.
However, and here it is. My Room decorations were… well, you know how sometimes things seem a little too perfect? Like the hotel decorator had been told to go full-on "romance novel cover"? The pillow arrangement! The lighting! It was almost too much. And, there was the minor issue of the occasional… noise. Not a huge deal, but sound does travel, especially if you are in a High floor room. I'm talking about the minor issues, like a crying baby, and the occasional late-night revellers, but nothing that kept my from having a good night's sleep. No complaints.
Dining: Food, Glorious Food! (And Some Interesting Table Manners)
Okay, the food. This is where it gets seriously good. The Breakfast [buffet] was a masterpiece. Think: mountains of fresh fruit, pastries that practically melt in your mouth, and the best cappuccino I've ever had (shoutout to the barista, you are a wizard!). Although the Asian breakfast was a bit underwhelming, because I was craving pancakes and eggs, it was great. In addition, the Buffet in restaurant was great.
Restaurants, plural! They have a fantastic selection of Restaurants to dine in. We went for the A la carte in restaurant, and I was in heaven. The International cuisine in restaurant was brilliant. The Western cuisine in restaurant was okay too. My personal favorite was the Vegetarian restaurant, which made me not feel guilty about over-indulging. The Desserts in restaurant was just fantastic!
The Poolside bar was a stroke of genius. The Happy hour set off the evening with a bang. You will find Bottle of water, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, and a Snack bar. There were also lots of Breakfast takeaway service too.
However, the Safe dining setup felt a bit like being in a slightly over-sanitized hospital – although, I am not complaining. But hey, this is the COVID era, right? The Cashless payment service and Individually-wrapped food options felt a bit impersonal, adding to the weirdness. They also have Alternative meal arrangement too.
And, a word to the wise: the people working there, especially in the restaurant, are very formal. So, be prepared from a service point of view. It all feels a little too perfect and, to be honest, not all the servers really loved their jobs. The staff were trained in safety protocols, but I felt like they were a forced formality.
Relaxation & Wellbeing: Spa, Sauna, and Blissful Neglect
This is where the Hotel de Paris truly shines. The Spa area is a haven of tranquility. The Sauna, Steamroom, and Foot bath were all divine. They also have Spa/sauna: I was in heaven!. I indulged in a Body scrub and a Massage, and I swear, all my worries melted away. The Pool with view is absolutely worth it.
I even spent a surprising amount of time in the Fitness center. (Don't judge; I needed to work off all those pastries!) They also have a Gym/fitness. The only downside to all this relaxation? It's incredibly easy to get completely lost in your own world, so good luck remembering to actually do anything else!
Cleanliness & Safety: Sanremo in the Age of… Well, You Know
Look, I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so this section is important! They were taking Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Professional-grade sanitizing services VERY seriously. Rooms sanitized between stays, and Sterilizing equipment was evident. Hand sanitizer was everywhere, and staff were masked. I definitely felt safe. There's also Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, and Staff trained in safety protocol. If you are looking for rooms that are cleaned, you can choose the Room sanitization opt-out available.
Services & Conveniences: Making Life Easier (Mostly)
They have a lot going on! The Concierge was brilliant, arranging everything from restaurant reservations to a last-minute taxi. The Daily housekeeping was efficient despite a language barrier, and the Dry cleaning came back looking amazing. (That stain on my shirt? Gone! Magic, I tell ya!) Currency exchange available if needed. Luggage storage was also super helpful. The Front desk [24-hour] was a lifesaver!
On the downside? The Convenience store was a little overpriced (par for the course, I guess), and sometimes there was a wait to use the Elevator, which is why I chose the Exterior corridor.
Things to Do & Getting Around: Exploring the Riviera
The location is perfect for exploring Sanremo. They have a lot of options to get around. If you are driving, there is Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], and Car power charging station. If it's raining, they also offer Taxi service!
For the Kids: Family-Friendly Fun (Mostly)
While I was there, I didn't see many kids around, but
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Alright, here's my attempt at a messy, honest, rambling, and utterly human itinerary for a stay at the Hotel de Paris in Sanremo, Italy. Buckle up, it's gonna be a bumpy ride.
Hotel de Paris Sanremo: My Sanremo Symphony of Disasters and Delights (A Very Unofficial Itinerary)
Pre-Trip Prep & the Dreaded Journey (aka: "The Flight That Nearly Broke Me")
Weeks Before: Okay, so the whole thing started with a Pinterest board overflowing with idyllic Italian vistas and a burning desire to live that life. Sanremo, the alleged gem of the Italian Riviera, felt like the perfect escape. Booked the Hotel de Paris (fancy! or so I thought). Flights? That's where the fun began. Let's just say my luggage and my sanity almost didn't make it. Lost luggage is THE worst. Now I'm wearing the same outfit for two days and feeling like a glorified tourist.
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Sanremo Orientation (or, "Where Did My Sense of Direction Go?")
- 14:00: Arrived at Nice airport, and survived the luggage carousel duel. Found a train to Sanremo, which was surprisingly…well, uneventful. Thank God for Italian coffee. Needed it after the flight.
- 16:00: Check-in at the Hotel de Paris. First impression: Stately. Slightly intimidating. The lobby smells like expensive perfume and…slightly like my great-aunt's house. That's not a bad thing, but definitely unexpected. The room is lovely, with a balcony that promises an amazing sea view.
- 17:00: Disaster. Attempted to "explore" the city. Immediately got lost in the maze of narrow, winding streets. Ended up buying an absolutely hideous, but undeniably delicious, gelato. Worth it.
- 19:00: Returned to hotel, defeated, and slightly sweaty, but armed with gelato and a newfound respect for Google Maps. Had a small existential crisis on my balcony. The view IS amazing, though. Maybe this trip won't be a complete disaster.
- 20:00: Dinner: Restaurant in the hotel. (because that's what I felt capable of). Ordered pasta with pesto. Actually good! Feeling a tiny bit better.
Day 2: Sanremo's Siren Song (and My Battle with the Sea Breeze)
- 09:00: Breakfast in the hotel's breakfast room. The buffet is… overwhelming. Decided to play it safe. Hardboiled egg and a croissant. The croissant was perfect. The egg tasted like…an egg.
- 10:00: Morning walk along the Lungomare. The sea breeze is brutal! My hair looks like a bird's nest. Did a quick assessment of the beach clubs, feeling a distinct lack of the bikini-bod confidence.
- 12:00: Tried to find a cute little cafe, but somehow got lost in a side street full of weird shops. Ended up buying a ceramic frog. I have no idea why.
- 13:00: Lunch. Found a tiny, family-run trattoria. Ordered the gnocchi. Heaven. The Italian grandmother running the place made me feel like I was part of her family. Food cures all.
- 14:00 - 16:00: Rest. Nap time in the room.
- 16:00: Exploring Sanremo. Walked around. Got lost. Found the Casino and went inside. It's so elegant! Did I feel sophisticated? Absolutely not.
- 19:00: Found a little restaurant in the center. More Pasta and wine! Feeling a bit tipsy and very happy.
- 21:00: Back to the hotel. Sat at the balcony and looked at the sea. Incredible.
Day 3: Casino Royal and the "I Survived!" Feeling
- 09:00: Breakfast. The coffee at the hotel is decent! Had a pain au chocolat and planned a day.
- 10:00: Decided to be a tourist. Went to explore the Casino. Took a lot of photos.
- 12:00: Lunch. Found a restaurant, but it was closed. I spent 1 hour to find another restaurant, then I was hungry.
- 14:00: Relaxing by the pool. So many handsome Italian men. I feel so out of my element. But I'm not a tourist, no.
- 16:00: Decided to treat myself to something. The staff at the Spa are so kind!
- 18:00: Finished some wine. I feel very happy to be there.
- 20:00: Dressed and had dinner at the hotel.
- 22:00: Relaxing.
Day 4: Sanremo's Secrets & Departure (aka: "Ciao, Sanremo, and Please Don't Forget Me")
- 09:00: Breakfast. Decided to be adventurous. Tried the local pastries. Delicious, and completely ruined my diet. Worth it.
- 10:00: Attempted to find the hidden gem, a tiny artisan shop. Found it! Bought a beautiful, hand-painted trinket.
- 12:00: Farewell lunch at my favorite trattoria. Ordered the gnocchi again. The grandmother winked at me. She knew what was good.
- 14:00: Back to the hotel for last-minute packing. The balcony feels bittersweet now. Leaving is hard.
- 16:00: Check-out. The hotel staff were incredibly kind. Said goodbye.
- 17:00: Train to Nice for the flight home.
- 18:00: Waiting for the plane.
Final Thoughts & Emotional Fallout:
Sanremo wasn't perfect. I got lost, I felt out of place, and I definitely ate too much pasta. But…wow. The beauty of the place, the warmth of the people, the taste of that damn gnocchi…it got under my skin. I laughed, I cried (a little), and I learned a lot about myself. And now? I'm already dreaming of a return. Maybe next time I'll actually master the art of navigating those winding streets. Or maybe I'll just get lost again. Either way, I'll be eating the gnocchi.
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Hotel de Paris Sanremo: Your Dream Italian Riviera Escape - Or Is It...? Let's Talk!
Okay, spill it: Is the Hotel de Paris *actually* as glamorous as it looks in the pictures?
The rooms! Tell me EVERYTHING. Are they worth the price tag?
The food. What's the deal with the hotel restaurants? Any recommendations?
Is the location good? Easy to get around Sanremo?
Any advice for dealing with the staff? Are they friendly?
What about the pool? Is it as glamorous as it looks?
Is there anything I should be aware of before booking? Any downsides?
