Grand Hotel Excelsior

Arriving at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Amalfi was a complete disaster. I did not receive any email with instructions prior to my arrival, which led to an unpleasant start. Upon calling the hotel, I was told to wait for a shuttle bus at a certain point. After waiting for 40 minutes, the driver arrived but sadly did not stop at our meeting point. I had to call the hotel again, only to be informed that I needed to wait for another 30 minutes for the next shuttle.

When we finally checked in and got to our room, we discovered that the air conditioner was not working, the door to the balcony wouldn't open, and there was no internet. This meant I couldn't even use the tablet in the room to request any services. We went out for dinner, hoping the issues would be fixed while we were away. Upon returning, we were told the technicians would not arrive until the following day and were advised to sleep with the windows open.

The next day, after expressing my dissatisfaction, the hotel decided to upgrade my booking, but this required me to pack and move to a different room, adding to the inconvenience.

The hotel itself is located high in the hills, which makes it feel quite isolated. The only way to get in and out is by a shuttle bus that runs every 30 minutes and has limited capacity. If you miss it or don't make a reservation, you could be waiting for a while. Additionally, the last shuttle from Amalfi to the hotel leaves at 11 PM; after that, you will need to pay 60 euros for a 10-minute taxi ride back to the hotel.

The hotel does have some positives, like a beautiful view, a lovely pool, and friendly front desk staff. The breakfast was also good. However, the location makes you feel trapped with nothing much to do unless you venture down to Amalfi.

Overall, while the views and amenities are nice, the logistical issues, poor communication, and lack of convenience overshadow the experience. If you are considering staying here, be prepared for potential inconveniences and plan accordingly.