**Rex Hotel Albaro: Italy's Hidden Gem (Luxury You Won't Believe!)**
Rex Hotel Albaro: Italy's Hidden Gem (Luxury You Won't Believe!) - A Review That's Actually Real
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to tell you about the Rex Hotel Albaro in Italy and, spoiler alert, it’s not just another cookie-cutter hotel. It’s… something else. Something good. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions (mostly positive, I swear!) as I unpack this little slice of Ligurian heaven. And yes, I'm going to be honest, even if it means getting a little messy.
First off, accessibility: This is important, right? It’s 2024! The Rex, thankfully, gets it. They have facilities for disabled guests, and I spotted an elevator, which is a huge win, especially in those charming, hilly Italian towns. My own mobility isn't an issue, but I appreciate seeing hotels that actually think about everyone. They're clearly trying, which is more than you can say for some places.
Cleanliness and Safety: (Because Let's Be Real, That's on Everyone's Mind Now)
Alright, let's cut to the chase. The world's a bit germ-paranoid these days, and the Rex gets it. They're all about the anti-viral cleaning products, the daily disinfection in common areas, and the professional-grade sanitizing services. Plus, the staff? Trained in safety protocol like they're secret agents. Seriously, I saw a lady sanitizing a napkin dispenser with the intensity of a brain surgeon. I'm not complaining! They've got hand sanitizer everywhere, and the lovely people running the place take it all seriously. I mean, who am I to argue with a clean bathroom, right? They even offer a room sanitization opt-out. Now that's trust! They had me at “rooms sanitized between stays.” It feels safe, and that's worth a LOT. They also take physical distancing of at least 1 meter. They're not messing around.
Eating and Drinking: (Because, Italy!)
Okay, this is where things get really interesting. Forget bland hotel buffets! The Rex Hotel boasts a restaurant scene that's… wow. Let me just say, if you're a foodie, prepare to have your socks knocked off.
- Restaurants, Restaurants, Restaurants: Okay, so maybe I should go in some order… they have restaurants. Multiple restaurants! A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, and Vegetarian restaurant are all available. The restaurant has Coffee/tea in restaurant, which is great for a midday break.
- Breakfast: You've got options my friends – many, many options. Forget those sad continental offerings. The breakfast [buffet] is a feast (and you can have things like Asian breakfast, Western breakfast), but then it's ALSO a buffet! I mean, sign me up! You can even get Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service. Honestly, I am still in awe of the Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop.
- Dining: Of course there's an amazing room service [24-hour] service, which I obviously tested extensively. (More on that later….)
- The Good Stuff: There's a Bar, Poolside bar, Snack bar, Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, and international cuisine in restaurant. Good stuff, I tell ya.
- The Slightly Odd, but Still Good Stuff: There is Asian cuisine in restaurant, which is just wonderful. Very unexpected, but extremely welcome! There is also Happy hour. Who doesn't love that? And there's Soup in restaurant! Honestly, what more could you want?
The food is just incredible. The Asian breakfast was a total curveball, but I loved it. The local dishes are to die for. I have to dedicate a paragraph to the desserts because… oh my GOD the desserts. Seriously, bring stretchy pants. I'm not even a dessert person, and I still ate three.
The Rooms: (Because, Sleep is Important, Right?)
The rooms at the Rex are where luxury truly shines. Think elegant simplicity, perfect for a relaxing stay.
- The Essentials: You've got the air conditioning, alarm clock, bathrobes, bathtub, blackout curtains, closet, coffee/tea maker, complimentary tea, daily housekeeping, desk, extra long bed, free bottled water, hair dryer, in-room safe box, internet access, ironing facilities, laptop workspace, linens, mini bar, mirror, and non-smoking rooms.
- Tech and Entertainment: They have on-demand movies, private bathroom, satellite/cable channels, separate shower/bathtub, shower, sofa, soundproofing, telephone, toiletries, towels, visual alarm, wake-up service, wi-fi [free], and window that opens.
- The Little Luxuries: Bathrobes, Slippers, and Complimentary Tea
- Special Room Notes: The interconnecting room(s) are available and high floor options are available.
My room? It was like stepping into a magazine. The blackout curtains were a godsend after those delicious dinners (and maybe a little too much wine!). The bed was ridiculously comfortable. I was so desperate for a good night's sleep, and this place delivered in spades.
Services and Amenities: (The Little Things That Make a Big Difference)
Okay, let's talk about all the other stuff. And there's a LOT of stuff.
- Convenience is Key: They have air conditioning in public area, audio-visual equipment for special events, concierge, currency exchange, daily housekeeping, doorman, dry cleaning, elevator, facilities for disabled guests, food delivery, gift/souvenir shop, indoor venue for special events, invoice provided, ironing service, laundry service, luggage storage, meeting/banquet facilities, on-site event hosting, outdoor venue for special events, safety deposit boxes, smoking area, terrace, wi-fi for special events, and xerox/fax in business center.
- They are Helpful: Cash withdrawal, Contactless check-in/out, Facilities for disabled guests, and Luggage storage.
- Business First: Business facilities, Meeting/banquet facilities, and Seminars.
- The Extras: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, and Kids meal,
- Events: They specialize in Meetings and Seminars as well.
- The Details: Cashless payment service, Essential condiments, and Shared stationery removed
The staff is genuinely friendly and helpful. They went above and beyond. I mentioned wanting to try a local gelato place, and the concierge not only gave me directions but also got me a map. It's these little touches that elevate the Rex from simply "a nice hotel" to something truly special. The concierge was a rockstar. The valet parking was a lifesaver (those Italian streets are not for the faint of heart!).
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: (Time to Pamper Yourself!)
Now, this is where the Rex truly takes it up a notch. This is where you forget about everything else and just… breathe.
- Body & Soul: They have a Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Spa, Spa/sauna, and Steamroom.
- The Usual Suspects: There is a Fitness center, Gym/fitness, Swimming pool, and Sauna.
- The Pool with a View: They feature a Pool with a view, and Swimming pool [outdoor].
Okay, confession time. I spent way too much time at the spa. The massage was heavenly. I was so relaxed I almost floated away. The pool with a view? Stunning. I could have stayed there all day, just staring at the water.
I have to be honest, the sauna and steamroom felt a bit underused. But I will say that the Pool with a view? My. God. It was the most surreal moment of my entire trip, looking out over the coast while the sun was setting, and I was just like, "Yeah. I think I'll stay here forever."
Internet & Tech: (Stay Connected, But Maybe Disconnect, Too!)
- All the Internet, All the Time: The Rex Hotel boasts Internet access, Internet [LAN], Internet services, and Wi-Fi in public areas, and Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!
Getting Around: (Because You’ll Want to Explore!)
- The Transportation: They handle your Airport transfer, Taxi service, Valet parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, and Bicycle parking needs.
The Quirks & Imperfections (Because No Place is Perfect, Right?)
Okay, let's be real. The Rex, despite its brilliance, isn't perfect. You know, I'm a picky traveler, but the tiny imperfections make this place even more charming.
- The Elevator: At times, it's a bit slow. But hey, you're on vacation, right? Take
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because this isn't your sanitized, Instagram-filtered travel plan. This is the Rex Hotel Residence Albaro, Italy, warts and all, according to my slightly-unhinged brain. I’m building this itinerary in the hopes it helps me, and you, actually feel like we're there, even before the first Aperol Spritz.
Rex Hotel Residence Albaro: A Week of Genovese Glory (and Possible Mayhem)
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Pasta Predicament
- Morning (or Late Morning, Let's Be Real): Flight. Okay, the flight. Let's just say I thought I packed light. I didn't. The suitcase, bless its cotton socks, now weighs more than I do. Landing at Genoa's Cristoforo Colombo Airport. The airport is manageable, but finding the taxi queue is like navigating a particularly confusing IKEA.
- Afternoon: Taxi triumph! (Small victory, I swear). Arrive at the Rex Hotel Residence Albaro. First impressions? Gorgeous. Grand, like a slightly faded movie star. Check-in is… Italian. Meaning, a little chaotic, a lot of hand gestures, and someone, inevitably, will try to tell you they speak English perfectly (they don't). I'm instantly charmed.
- Afternoon (Continued): Room service, let's be real here! I mean the airport, the flight, the taxi, the checking… exhausted. I will probably take a nap as well.
- Evening: The pasta. Oh, the pasta. I've been dreaming of pesto alla Genovese for months. The hotel suggests a restaurant, "Trattoria da Maria." It's a short walk. I get there, and it is packed. The aroma… heavenly. The wait… brutal. I'm hangry. I finally get a table, order the pesto. It arrives… and it's… underwhelming. My heart sinks. It's fine, but not the holy grail I'd envisioned. Am I being dramatic? Probably. But hey, first day, first pasta letdown. The tiramisu, however, redeemed everything. I could cry.
- Night: Jet lag kicks in. I'm awake until 3 am, staring at the ceiling. Curse you, Italy!
Day 2: Exploring Albaro & The Accidental Art Appreciation
- Morning: Attempt at a leisurely breakfast. Successfully down two espressos (thank God for caffeine). Wander around Albaro. It's a beautiful area, all elegant villas and leafy streets. Get slightly lost. Embrace the "lost." Find a tiny bakery and, with much gesticulation (my Italian is terrible), procure a focaccia that is so good, it almost obliterates yesterday's pasta disappointment.
- Afternoon: Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta. Or, at least, I think it's called that. The guide book is in the room, and I didn't bring it. It's a stunning church, and the silence is almost overwhelming. I find myself just… standing there, staring at the frescoes, trying to absorb the history. It's a truly moving experience. My inner critic is subdued by the sheer beauty.
- Afternoon (Continued): Attempt to find a gelateria, get distracted by a shop filled with antique clocks and feel for a second like I am in a movie.
- Evening: A "cooking class" at a local restaurant. It's more like watching a nonna cook and awkwardly attempting to help. I manage to chop an onion without drawing blood, which I consider a personal victory for the day. Wine flows freely. Stories are told (mostly in Italian; I catch a few key words). The food, cooked by my own clumsy hands and the nonna's expert ones, is divine. The memory, even more so.
Day 3: Into the City & The Great Aquarium Debacle
- Morning: Train to Genoa city center. The train is crowded, but the views along the coast are breathtaking. I make friends with an old woman who keeps offering me biscuits and talking at me in rapid-fire Italian. I understand about half, but I smile and nod enthusiastically. She clearly approves.
- Afternoon: Genoa Aquarium. It's supposed to be amazing. It's… overwhelming. So many people, so many tanks, so many small children screaming. I get briefly claustrophobic. The dolphins are gorgeous, admittedly. But I'm stressed, and my head is starting to hurt. I bail. (I know, I know, I'm a terrible tourist).
- Afternoon (Continued): Wander aimlessly through the narrow streets of the Old Town. The smells are intense – spices, seafood, damp stone. I get lost again (a recurring theme). Discover a tiny, hidden bookshop. I buy a book I can't understand but feels right anyway.
- Evening: Pizza. Simple. Delicious. A perfect antidote to the aquarium trauma. Find a little pizzeria with a line, and I join it. Always a good sign.
Day 4: Cinque Terre (The Emotional Climb)
- Morning: Day trip to Cinque Terre. This is the day I've been dreading (logistically). Train to Monterosso. The train is packed (again!). The views, however, are stunning. Hiking between the villages is, shall we say, challenging? I’m not a hiker. It's steep. I sweat. I pant. I question all my life choices.
- Afternoon: The views, though. They're worth it. Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola… each village is more beautiful than the last. The colors, the cliffs, the sea… pure magic. I eat gelato. I drink limoncello. I forget, momentarily, that my legs are screaming.
- Afternoon (Continued): My legs. Sore. I might have chosen a hike that was slightly ambitious; I am in my 40s, and this is still something I'm struggling with.
- Evening: Train back to Genoa, exhausted and exhilarated. Shower, and pass out.
Day 5: The Day of Rest (Finally!) & The Aperitivo Revelation
- Morning: Sleep! Finally, sleep! Then, a leisurely breakfast. Decide to stay put, rest, and savor the Rex Hotel Residence's charm. Explore the hotel a bit more. Admire the courtyard and the slightly wonky but still endearing décor.
- Afternoon: Relax by the pool, but the weather is not really on my side today.
- Afternoon (Continued): The library offers some excellent books, so I relax in the library.
- Evening: The aperitivo. This, I realize, is the Italian way of life. Find a beautiful bar with a view. Order an Aperol Spritz (or three). The buffet of snacks is incredible – tiny sandwiches, olives, cheeses, and things I can't even identify, but all are delicious. I sit, sip, and watch the sunset. I feel… content. This is Italy, distilled into a moment. This is what I came for.
Day 6: Shopping & The Secret Garden Search
- Morning: Explore some shopping, and wander in the local market.
- Afternoon: Get lost again, and get distracted by an interesting garden.
- Afternoon (Continued): Find something interesting, and enjoy it.
- Evening: A final dinner at a restaurant. Reluctant to leave.
Day 7: Departure & The Goodbye Sigh
- Morning: Last breakfast. Pack. Sigh deeply. The Rex Hotel Residence staff is all smiles as I'm checking out.
- Afternoon: Taxi to the airport. The flight back. The memories, though… those are staying firmly put.
Final Thoughts:
This isn't a perfect trip. There were moments of frustration, and the pasta wasn't always perfect. But Italy, and the Rex Hotel Residence, have a way of getting under your skin. It's a messy, beautiful, imperfect place. And I wouldn't trade it for anything. Now, where can I find a decent pesto alla Genovese back home?
Escape to Paradise: Dornweiler Hof's Illertissen Luxury Awaits!
Rex Hotel Albaro: Italy's Hidden Gem (Or Am I Just Spoiled?) - FAQ You Actually Need
Is the Rex Hotel Albaro *really* as luxurious as everyone says?
Okay, so here's the deal. "Luxurious" is subjective, right? I mean, to my cousin Brenda, a Holiday Inn Express is a five-star experience. But seriously, the Rex? Yeah. It's pretty darn luxurious. Think plush carpets you want to roll around on, bathrooms that make your own bathroom at home weep with envy, and a breakfast spread that could feed a small army (and possibly keep me from leaving the hotel all day).
I went there expecting perfection. And... it's not quite *perfection*, but let's just say it's close. It's the sort of place where you *feel* spoiled, instantly. Remember that feeling when you get a really good hug? That's the feeling the lobby gives off. Which, by the way, is decorated with these crazy, ornate art pieces that I stared at for a solid hour, wondering if they were real or some clever knock-offs. Who knows?! But they were pretty. And the staff, well, they practically anticipate your needs before you even know you *have* them. It's a little unnerving… in a good way.
What's the deal with the location in Albaro? Isn't that away from the main tourist hubbub?
Albaro? That's the beauty, my friend! Yes, it's a little outside the direct city center of Genoa. Which, honestly? THANK GOD. Genoa's great, but sometimes you just want to escape the hustle and bustle, the crowds, the… well, the scooters. Albaro is this chic, residential area. Think of it as the fancy neighborhood where the cool kids live. It's quiet, elegant, and has a ton of really charming shops and cafes. Perfect for ambling around and pretending you're a local, even if you're embarrassingly obvious as a tourist like yours truly.
Getting into the city is easy too, though. Taxis are plentiful, and there are buses. I took a bus once, and it was… an experience. Let's just say Italian bus etiquette wasn't something I was prepared for. But it got me there! And honestly, the little "detachment" from the super-touristy areas made the whole stay feel *more* special. Plus, the walk to the sea from the hotel is breathtaking. You get a real sense of place, you know?
The breakfast – it’s as good as the reviews say?
Oh. My. God. The breakfast. Okay, so I have a problem. I *love* breakfast. I'm one of those people who dreams about breakfast at night. And the breakfast at the Rex? It's a breakfast dream come true. Seriously. They had everything. I’m talking fresh pastries that practically melted in my mouth, an entire cheese station (yes, a *station*!), prosciutto so thin it was practically see-through, and a coffee machine that produced the most perfect cappuccino I've ever tasted. I’d even say it was *better* than the coffee I had in Rome, which, if you know anything about me, is practically blasphemy.
I spent three days at that hotel, and I’m not ashamed to admit I ate breakfast for two hours each morning. Twice, I even went back for seconds (and thirds!). The sheer variety was insane. There were gluten-free options, dairy-free options, everything you could possibly imagine. I think I gained five pounds just from looking at it. Worth. Every. Single. Calorie.
Any downsides? Surely there *must* be something…
Alright, so I'm not going to lie, even paradise has a tiny, tiny crack. Here's the deal:
The Price: It's not exactly budget-friendly. You're paying for luxury, people! But if you can swing it, save up, skip a few lattes, and go.
The Internet: Okay, so the Wi-Fi wasn't exactly the speed of light. I'm a millennial; I need my cat videos. I had to switch to mobile data a few times. A minor inconvenience, but hey, it's 2024, and I need my internet!
The Shower: Okay, hear me out. The shower was gorgeous. Marble, huge rainfall showerhead, the works. BUT the water pressure was, at times, a little… tentative. Like it was deciding whether or not to really commit. Again, a minor quibble. I'm possibly being picky here. The important thing is that it was a glorious shower nonetheless.
The Language Barrier (Slightly): Okay, this only happened once, but I somehow ended up trying to order room service in a language that was clearly not Italian, English, or any language that anyone I knew spoke. It ended with me with a confused smile and a plate of something I didn't order. (It was delicious, though, tbh).
Should *I* stay at the Rex Hotel Albaro?
Honestly? Yes. Absolutely, positively, *YES*. If you value comfort, beauty, and being pampered, then yes. If you want a unique experience that's away from the mass of tourists, then yes. If you love breakfast like a deranged person, then by all means. Book it now.
But… is it for everyone? Mmm, maybe not. If you're on a *super* tight budget, probably not. If you're the type who prefers the rough-and-tumble of a hostel and are happy to rough it, then maybe not. But if you're looking for an escape, a treat, and a chance to feel like royalty (even if it's just for a few days), the Rex Hotel Albaro is an absolute winner. It’s a splurge, yes, but from my point of view? Totally worth it.
Any advice on how to make the most of your stay?
Okay, here's my insider info:
- Book a room with a sea view: Trust me. Get up early, sit on your balcony with a coffee (from that breakfast buffet!) and watch the sunrise. Magical.
- Explore Albaro: Don't just stay in the hotel! Wander around the neighborhood. It’s beautiful, and you'll find some hidden gems (like a gelato shop that I’m literally still dreaming of).
- Learn a few basic Italian phrases: Even a small "Buongiorno" and "Grazie" goes a long way. The staff are lovely but are much happier when you are at least trying.
- Indulge, indulge, indulge: Don't be afraid to order room service. Go to that spa. Have that extra pastry. You're on vacation! Live a little (or a lot).
- Pack light: You'll want to buy all the clothes you see in the boutiques! Find Hotel Now
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