Hotel Smeraldo

Pros One of the biggest advantages of this hotel is that there are virtually no stairs to access the property, which is rare on the Amalfi Coast. There is even a lift available. The restaurant is located on the ground floor while the rooms are on levels -1 to -3, making it very convenient for guests with luggage. The room remained pleasantly cool despite the hot weather outside, possibly due to the tile flooring. Housekeeping did an excellent job and kept the room spotless throughout my stay. The AC and hot water worked perfectly. I also experienced no shower leakage issues as mentioned in some older reviews, so it seems that problem has been fixed. The hotel offers direct gated access to a beautiful beach and beach club. Be prepared for a long staircase to reach the beach, but the views and experience are absolutely worth the effort. I also appreciated being allowed to check in earlier than scheduled, which made my arrival much more comfortable. Cons The hotel is quite expensive for what is offered. Breakfast was disappointing considering the additional cost. There was no fresh fruit selection and no complimentary egg station (except for hard boiled egg). I ordered scrambled eggs and only later discovered they were chargeable, which was not clearly communicated. Parking is also chargeable and located about an 8-10 minute uphill walk from the hotel. For my two night stay, parking, eggs and city tax added up to approximately €85 in additional charges. Service could be more attentive and sincere. While staff were generally polite, I felt there were missed opportunities to provide better assistance. For example, after my car was brought to the hotel entrance for loading luggage, the staff member left immediately while I adjusted the back seat, leaving an elderly gentleman to hold my luggage to prevent it from sliding out. One thing future guests should note is that the beach access involves a very long staircase. On my departure day, I returned from the beach later than expected and checked out approximately 30 minutes after the 11:00am check out time. This was entirely my responsibility, but it is something to keep in mind when planning your last morning. Overall, the hotel offers excellent cleanliness, comfortable rooms and beautiful beach access. However, for the price paid, I believe there is room for improvement in breakfast quality, transparency of additional charges, parking convenience and overall service attentiveness.