Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria

One of Europe's best hotel, nothing is missing, view stunning, if more service it will get strange. This is a prime exempel on if you pay you willl get. Owned by the same family for close to 200 years, a brilliant exampel on long term profit not short term profit.

This is an historic hotel. It has an impressive history and some beautiful rooms. The garden was lovely and the views of Mt Vesuvius are wonderful. The hotel feels a bit tired and neglected in some ways. We had booked a rather expensive suite and though the hotel was well under occupied in the second week of November instead of being upgraded we were offered an upgrade for an additional fee. We looked at both rooms and kept the one we had chosen. The upgraded room had quite a barren feel and was not warm or inviting though it did have a few of Vesuvius. I think we were spoiled by the exceptional service of Il Timeo in Taormina but the service at Vittoria was underwhelming. The workers were pleasant but no one seemed very enthused or positive about their work. It was kind of depressing. On the other hand the waitstaff at the breakfast and the Michelin star restaurant were quite good and cheerful. The Bousquet restaurant food was good but the decor and condition of the space was seriously lacking. Our suite was nice with a lovely garden view. We had a couple of room service meals and while most room service is over priced this was extraordinarily so. A small cup of vegetable soup was $22.00. It was interesting to stay at this hotel for it's history but I don't think I'd be inclined to stay there again.