Grand Hotel Villa Balbi: Misrepresented "Gold Formula" stay – unsafe & unclean for families
We booked a Camera Quadrupla Elite (4‑person room) at Grand Hotel Villa Balbi under the Gold Formula for 2 adults + 2 children. What we found on arrival did not match the marketing or basic hygiene standards.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Villa BalbiPaid: $550 / nightCheck‑in: 4 Aug 2025Location: Sestri Levante, Italy
Summary
Our children were assigned one foldable sofa that was noisy and bumpy; alternative rooms offered were no better. The room had no wardrobe, no balcony, a kettle with no tea/coffee, and the promised "welcome wine" arrived without glasses or an opener. The property is advertised as "seafront," but a busy road sits between the building and the beach—unsafe for kids. We found thick dust on shelves and floors on day one.
All we asked for was simple: cut the payment in half and cancel our reservation from day one. Management refused a pro‑rata refund for the five unused nights.
Sleeping arrangements
Kids were told to share one fold‑out sofa.
Sofa surface was bumpy, uneven, and squeaky.
Alternative rooms offered had similar issues.
Room & amenities
No wardrobe and no balcony.
Kettle provided but no tea/coffee.
"Welcome wine" delivered without glasses or an opener.
Safety / location claims
Marketed as "seafront", but a busy road separates the building and beach.
Crossing with children felt unsafe.
Cleanliness
Thick dust on shelves and floors at check‑in.
Hygiene fell below reasonable expectations for the price paid.
Refund we requested
We asked the property to reduce the total charge by 50% and cancel our reservation from day one, with a pro‑rated refund for the five unused nights. Mr. Alessandro (hotel staff) informed us they contacted Antonio Rossignotti (hotel manager), who refused our refund request.
They offered one extra day of stay as compensation, but this does not adequately address the problems we experienced. Our 8-day holiday was made mediocre by these unresolved issues and the property's misrepresentation.
Timeline
4 Aug 2025 – Raised all issues at reception immediately after arrival.
4–5 Aug 2025 – Followed up twice in writing with Mr. Alessandro; he contacted manager Antonio Rossignotti.
5 Aug 2025 – Antonio Rossignotti (hotel manager) refused our refund request, offered only one extra day.
After refusal – We initiated formal complaints through appropriate channels.
We will update this page if the situation is resolved.
Photos
The uncomfortable sofa our kids were expected to sleep on.Inadequate storage - no proper wardrobe.4 Star hotel bathroom.More bathroom problems we encountered.Poor maintenance and hygiene standards.The bathroom was not clean on arrival.Old elevator with safety concerns - extremely small.Busy road between hotel and sea - not seafront as claimed.Kettle provided with no tea or coffee supplies.
Notes
This page reflects our personal experience and opinions during the dates stated.
We reported issues promptly and sought a fair resolution before publishing this account.
We welcome a resolution and will update this page if the property reaches out.