Baia del Sole Resort

Spent two weeks here with our two children (aged 10 and 8). The quality of the resort and service is very high. Rooms and gardens are kept immaculate. Pool area is also clean. Food is locally sourced and is excellent. We were half board which included a buffet breakfast in the restaurant overlooking the sea and a 4 course a la carte dinner in Le Giare restaurant overlooking the gardens. The menu changed each day and children had a separate 3 course menu (which did not change). The quality of the kids menu was a little disappointing as it consisted of fried fish fingers, burger or fried chicken cutlets. We would have preferred unprocessed food, like chicken breast or fillet of fish but kids were allowed to eat off the main a la carte menu which ours did some nights. The hotel website advertises inflatables in the pool but there aren't any at the moment. There are two SUPs, kayaks & pedalo on the beach for guests' use (free of charge). We weren't told on check in that you have to pay if you want to use a sun lounger on the beach that is on the front row so we were surprised when a lifeguard asked us to pay half way through our holiday! Given the price paid for the accommodation, I wouldn't expect to have to do this. The beach is very rocky (no soft powdery sand here) so water shoes are advisable. The sea is crystal clear, warm and has an abundance of fish very close to shore so is excellent for snorkeling. The hotel describes itself as having a private beach but it does allow non-staying guests to use the beach and pool so we found it got very busy at the weekend which spoilt the atmosphere a little. Unfortunately the hotel is sandwiched between two other hotels which have loud sound systems that are audible from the pool! The hotel is very remote and there aren't any bars or restaurants in walking distance (other than the bar of the hotel next door which we visited for lunch one day). We got the train from the airport and noticed some hotels picking people up in mini buses from the train station (Ricadi) but we had to pay for a taxi (which the hotel organised). Taxis are very expensive. It cost €18 from Ricadi Station to the hotel which is a 5 minute drive. We got the train to Tropea a few times which is worth doing. Trains are very reasonably priced but the walk to Ricadi station from the hotel is up a very steep hill and in the middle of a heatwave with young children wasn't doable for us so we had to pay for a taxi each time. We walked back to the hotel from the station one day and even at 6:30pm it wasn't a pleasant experience. It's a shame the hotel doesn't provide a complimentary shuttle service to and from the station. Sharing a taxi with other families would also be consistent with the hotel's eco friendly credentials. Overall, we were happy with the hotel and would return but, due to the remote location and the expense in reaching the train station to explore the surrounding area, we'd come back for one week rather than two.

We have just returned from the most amazing 2 weeks holiday to celebrate a special anniversary. The hotel and its grounds are absolutely stunning. The rooms are contemporary yet exceptionally comfortable. Bathroom are lovely - personally I prefer a bath but the shower was excellent. We chose the hotel due to it's location - accessibility to the station and it's food - locally sourced and local specialities. It would have been helpful if staff could have given directions to the station and also bus routes and timetables. It is fair to say if you don't like steep hills this is probably not the ideal location. Food in the main was very good but there were a couple of dishes which were not to our taste. Whilst the buffet was plentiful - 2 nights per week - the hot buffet was tepid - we didn't enjoy buffet and for a hotel of this quality we would prefer a la carte every night. However otherwise excellent locally sourced organic produce including from the hotel garden and good local wines at a reasonable price and a varied 4 course a la carte menu. Breakfast was outstanding - a wide variety of buffet with an omelette, pancake and crepe option cooked to order. Beautiful restaurant overlooking the beach. The beach is nice but would benefit from new sunbeds; the pool area clean with plenty of comfortable sunbeds. Emmanuelle the lifeguard was friendly and helpful. Service was generally good, but on occasion not always consistent. Special mention to Antonella, Antonio, Raffaelle, Guiseppie and Alex. Cleanliness was outstanding - the housekeepers and gardeners were also excellent. The bar was nice but we found wine by the glass expensive compared to a bottle at dinner. We didn't enjoy the entertainment so relaxed by our room on those evenings. Overall a very good stay and we would return.