Hotel Metropole

Hotel Metropole, Santa Margherita Ligure: A Michelin Key Selected Retreat on the Italian Riviera

The Hotel Metropole in Santa Margherita Ligure consistently receives high praise from guests, offering an elegant escape with stunning sea views and exceptional service. As a Michelin Key Selected property, it is recognized for its quality and promises a memorable stay on the Ligurian coast.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Hotel Metropole generally garners an excellent reputation, with a strong overall rating of 8.5 on Agoda.com and 8.7 on Booking.com. On TripAdvisor, it holds a 4 out of 5 rating and ranks #6 out of 23 hotels in Santa Margherita Ligure. Guests frequently describe it as a "very beautiful hotel" with "welcoming staff" and state they would "definitely come back again." The consensus points to a luxurious, comfortable, and highly enjoyable experience.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of Hotel Metropole:

• Service & Staff: The staff is frequently described as "simply amazing," "superb," "attentive," "helpful," and "kind," with many guests feeling exceptionally well looked after.
• Location: Its prime position overlooking the Ligurian Sea and the Gulf of Santa Margherita, at the beginning of the seaside promenade, is a major draw. It's also just a five-minute walk to the town center, offering easy access to shops and restaurants.
• Amenities & Grounds: The hotel boasts beautiful, lush gardens, an outdoor swimming pool, an indoor heated saltwater pool, and a private beach area with complimentary deck chairs and parasols. A modern wellness center with a Turkish bath, Finnish sauna, and fitness room also contributes to a relaxing stay.
• Views: Many rooms, particularly those in Villa Porticciolo, offer gorgeous sea views, which guests highly appreciate.

3. Room Quality

Hotel Metropole offers 57-58 rooms, divided between the main building and the historic Villa Porticciolo. Rooms are described as "clean," with "comfy beds and linens." They feature a classic, elegant design, soundproofing, high ceilings, white walls, and mostly wooden parquet floors. All rooms include satellite TV, air conditioning, a minibar, flat-screen TV, electronic safe, and free Wi-Fi. Many rooms come with a private balcony or terrace, with those in Villa Porticciolo and sea-facing rooms offering particularly stunning views of the bay. Bathrooms are modern, equipped with walk-in showers or shower/tub combos, bidets, toiletries, and wall-mounted hairdryers.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel features two restaurants: one inside overlooking the garden and a panoramic Beach Club restaurant. They specialize in regional Ligurian cuisine, with a strong focus on fresh seafood and local produce, as well as international dishes. Pasta dishes, such as traditional trofie with pesto, are highlighted as standouts. Breakfast is a "delicious" hot buffet served daily, including sweet and savory options, and sparkling wine. Guests enjoy breakfast on the terrace, especially in warmer months. The dining experience is considered refined yet not stuffy, with the option for romantic dinners on the terrace at sunset, offering beautiful views of the Gulf.

5. Service & Staff

The hospitality at Hotel Metropole is consistently praised as outstanding. Guests frequently use words like "amazing," "superb," "welcoming," "attentive," and "kind" to describe the staff. Reviewers often note feeling "looked after," which significantly enhances their stay. The staff is also commended for being professional, helpful, and knowledgeable, particularly regarding wine recommendations.

6. Location & Accessibility

Hotel Metropole is ideally situated at Via Pagana, 2, right on the Gulf of Santa Margherita Ligure and at the start of its seaside promenade. It offers excellent access to local sights and transport. The town center, with its restaurants and shops, is just a five-minute walk away. The hotel is also conveniently located within walking distance of the train station (approximately 150m), making it a solid base for exploring the Italian Riviera, including ferry trips to places like Rapallo, Portofino, and Cinque Terre.

7. Value & Pricing

With an average room price of approximately $177, Hotel Metropole is considered to offer exceptional value for money, especially when compared to the average price of a hotel room in Santa Margherita Ligure, which is around $224. Prices can vary from approximately $113 to $583, depending on the room type and season. The inclusion of complimentary beach access with two deckchairs and a parasol per room also adds to its value.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms have been noted:

• Road Noise: Due to its proximity to a busy road, some guests have mentioned noise, particularly if they were hoping to relax on a terrace.
• Parking Fees: Private parking and garage options are available at an additional daily cost (€25-€35 for parking, €30-€40 for garage, with slight increases from December 27, 2024).
• Spa Amenities: One guest suggested that the hydromassage area could be improved, describing it as "4 splashes" rather than a true hydromassage.
• Robe Rental: A guest also mentioned that the hotel charges for bathrobe rental, suggesting it should be included.
• Restaurant Service Pace: One review noted a long wait (50 minutes) for a table at the restaurant, despite having a reservation.
• Room Temperature: A guest reported that their room was too warm and they were unable to change the air.
• Pet Policy Limitations: While pet-friendly, small and medium-sized pets are not allowed in the pool areas or on the beach.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. agoda.com
3. santamargheritaligure.org
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10. booking.com
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15. booking.com