Hotel Fasce - Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy 

My husband and I stayed here in April of 2006. I happened upon the hotel website and looked at its reviews. I booked it because it was the right price and in the right place. It ended up being one of the best stays that we had during our 5 weeks in Europe. It sounds like many travelers had run-ins with Jane, the owner. We had no problems with her. We laughed a little because she runs the place like she is a captain on a ship, but that's how it stays clean and comfortable. The breakfast was so tastey and handy to have each morning. We even road the hotel bikes one afternoon (a little old and should be retired - but it was fun). I highly recommend staying here. Be nice to Jane and she'll be nice to you.

We were traveling throughout Europe with our two teenaged daughters and while we typically stay in 4 or 5 star hotels such as the Four Seasons, JW Marriott, Ritz Carlton and the like, we knew that we wouldn't find the same luxurious standards in Santa Margherita that we were accustomed to even though the prices at other hotels were comparable to 5 star hotels in the states, so we opted for a bed and breakfast type experience at the Hotel Fasce. Indeed much has been written about Hotel Fasce; however, most of what has been said is about the infamous innkeeper Jane -- not about poor conditions at the property itself. So with that in mind, we decided to give Hotel Fasce a try. I must admit however that before I left the states for Europe, I had already decided that I would try and avoid any opportunities for unpleasantries if at all possible. We spent four days at the Hotel Fasce and all I can say is that we had a positively pleasant experience with Jane and her husband and would suggest that if you decide to stay there that you just go with an open mind. Both Jane and her husband were very friendly and assisted us with making reservations to see the Lord's Supper in Milan, as well as receiving faxes at the front desk. We received a warm greeting upon arrival by a staff member who met us at the bottom of the stairs to assist us with our luggage. The housecleaning staff were also very friendly. The hotel itself is considered a 2 star property, so we weren't expecting Frette linen, down duvets, or European spa toiletries. We were looking for a small, bed and breakfast type property with character and charm, and we got that. In fact, my husband said he didn't understand why it wasn't rated a 3 star property. The hotel itself is well maintained, and the rooms were very clean. I must also say that the property seems to be their pride of ownership. The hotel has a rooftop which was nice for relaxing in the evenings after a busy day and beautiful flowers all around and a lovely little garden area. They also provide free WIFI, and we had no problems with connections in the garden area but were unable to receive any connection upstairs in our room. That was no problem because we enjoyed sitting out in the little garden area to check mail. A continental or full breakfast is served in the breakfast room each morning until 9:30 am. You reach the rooms by a spiral staircase, so it is definitely not for the disabled as there are no elevators. We had a room for four people which consisted of a double bed and bunk beds in a room that appeared to be the size of a standard double room. The bunk beds were uncomfortable but a little better after we put some extra padding (blankets) on top of the mattress. The furnishings are modest, the double bed a little too firm for our liking, and yes, the bathroom is the smallest bathroom we had ever seen. In all honesty, it was almost impossible to even turn around in, but we managed just fine. Although small, the bathroom was very clean and seemed to have been updated fairly recently. Modern bathroom facilities is a huge plus in my mind! And I really couldn't complain about the room itself other than the mattresses on the bunk beds. All in all, we had a very pleasant stay at the Hotel Fasce. We had never stayed at a bed and breakfast type hotel, but we got exactly what we expected for this type of property. If you're not looking to spend an arm and a leg and just want a clean hotel with some charm and character, I would recommend the Hotel Fasce. And finally, Santa Margherita is without a doubt the most perfect little town on all of the Ligurian coast. Molto magnifico!