Hotel Rivage

We could not fault this hotel at all. Rooms are spacious and very clean, the general decor modern and tastefully furnished. The staff were very helpful, especially when I had a problem with my room safe. Breakfasts are fine and the hotel’s position is great with lovely views and easy access to the centre of Sorrento.

I think a lot of the reviews on here are very harsh!! Hotel was in an excellent location, top of the pedestrian strip, lots of shops restaurants near it. Walking distance to everywhere . Hotel room was exactly like the photo, was basic but clean, had everything you would need. Had a mini fridge and a safe too. Bathroom had a double shower, didn't have any issues with hot water. Room was cleaned everyday and fresh towels put in. Beds were comfortable It was a bit noisy from trucks etc but it was the morning time and I'm a light sleeper and it didn't stop me from sleeping. The pool area was nice but cold (apparently that's an Italian thing ) didn't bother us though as we didn't come for the pool. Breakfast was nice but did find the staff a bit dismissive at times. If your looking for a great base and basic this is the hotel for you We would stay here again

We'll start with the good. Location, right at the end of the strip, close to shops and not far from the "beach" The breakfast staff were lovely, helpful and friendly. Well done to them. Ciao Bella! The breakfast was lovely, the tart! The omelettes were great! "up and down" for well done. The bar area was nice, room cleaners were very friendly, the room was good, bright airy and the air con worked. Plenty of loungers adjacent to the pool area. Not so good. Our room, 210 was beneath a lounge, night after night guests were dragging chairs at 2 or 3am waking me up constantly, easy to cure with pads on the chair feet and close the balcony after midnight. The pool was cold, could it be heated by solar perhaps? The reception staff were far from welcoming, not there at times or not acknowledging you at others.

Firstly this is actually an honest review holding back nothing so others appreciate what they are in for if they book this hotel. Totally honest no BS. We recently stayed at the Hotel Rivage in Sorrento based on price and photos on the internet. Location is on the main road about a 20 minute walk to the main shopping strip. Firstly the website photos are so photoshopped it’s not funny so don’t be fooled. Reception is on the 4th floor which is street level and the floors go down to level one. When we arrived and there was no offering to assist with our luggage. Checked us in, gave us one swipe card between 2 people, gave us some details about breakfast times, bar and pool times and sent us on our way to find our room. There are stairs and a super small lift which did not hold 4 people with luggage. As soon as the lift door opened on our level there was a stench of mould. It took our breath away it was so bad. We found our room on level 1, entered to find it to be extremely basic. Nothing all like the photos. The entrance door barely fills door jamb opening and light from the hallway shines through. The walls are so thin we could hear every word (and moans-sorry) from the rooms next door. The street noise especially early mornings is ridiculous. The bed is a queen size, hard mattress, with a loose bed head that moves every time you move in bed. The bedhead has electrical outlets on each end and hard to reach light switches. The floors are tiled. Small tv on the wall, a small bar type fridge that wasn’t cold and one suitcase bench. Wardrobe is an old timber built in with a few hangers. Safe is in the wardrobe. Now for the bathroom. It was super small. I’d guess 3 metres x 1.5 at best. Very old but clean. The toilet seat is an old painted one that is too small for the bowl. It served the purpose. The shower cubicle is small when the door is shut. The water blocks up the drain when showering so you are standing in your own dirty water. The sliding door on the bathroom entrance does not close properly. The bedroom window opens out to the rear street about 10 metres away and with no view of anything worthwhile. Cars park along the street with cars driving along until late and again very early morning. The waste truck picks up the rubbish early each morning. We ate that close to the cars I literally spoke to a guy parking his car from our window.. The pool is a shipping container type pool with a few lounge chairs around. I didn’t see anyone use the pool during our stay. Maybe due to it ambience of noise and that everyone in the restaurant can see you. It’s a strange set up. The restaurant is set up ok. usual tables and some with chairs and booths which are actually too low to eat from. The breakfast food was terrible. Bread was stale, pineapple juice did not taste like pineapples, the cereal was a choice of corn flakes or muesli. Cold milk was luke warm so it was obviously there for a while and coffee was disgusting. We could not finish the food or the coffee., it does sound like I’m whining but it’s the truth and that’s all I can relay. The staff are ok, not super friendly as some suggest. Not very helpful. We asked reception staff to borrow two umbrellas as it poured raining one day and we were told no because they might need them for people walking 4 metres from the restaurant into the lobby so they didn’t get wet. We asked to upgrade our room as we were happy to pay more but the answer was a flat “No it’s booked out until end of October” no query as to why, no effort to see if there was any possibility just a flat no. So, we have wasted money on breakfasts as we will did not eat at this hotel. That’s ok we can find decent coffee in town 10 minute walk. Sorrento itself is lovely. Seems like hundreds of alleyways to explore with lots and lots of restaurants to choose from. Many, many shops but a lot just have the same touristy junk. All the beach areas are below the main town down a big walk along a path basically built into the side of the cliff face and once you’re there they cost money to even walk on the beach. There are gates and security guards stopping you until you pay. Sun beds and umbrella hire cost also. There is a lift to get down and back up from the beach if you don’t wish to walk and it is $1.20 euro one way. Do not let this review put you off Sorrento as there are literally hundreds of hotels to choose from. Just don’t make our mistake and believe the photos. Obviously it’s your choice but please do your research and if you can spend a little more you won’t regret. Would we stay at Hotel Rivage again. That’s a big no way from us. Oh yes I almost forgot, the hotel is right next door to the main hospital which is handy of you are injured or sick but you hear loud ambulance sirens…a lot.