Hotel Le Palme

“Total surprise”

I have been making day visits to Varazze for a few years, so it came to my surprise to find this jewel tucked behind the palms a stone's throw from the water. After having read a few negative reviews, I had a sensitized eye for anything out of place. What I found was a meticulously kept and beau... more

I have been making day visits to Varazze for a few years, so it came to my surprise to find this jewel tucked behind the palms a stone's throw from the water. After having read a few negative reviews, I had a sensitized eye for anything out of place. What I found was a meticulously kept and beautiful garden, a pleasing reception, a perfectly clean environment, and a nice, little single room with all I needed. My window overlooked the garden and I could see the sea through the buildings across the street. Lovely. The location could not be better as you are off the main drag, which frankly is a bit irritating due to the horrible always-rush-hour traffic in Varazze. In fact, due to it's location, I was able to sleep with the window wide open (as one should do for one's health) with no noise disturbance (please do not expect this during summer months, as Varazze has a tendency to get the music going on the jetty super late...). I super appreciated the automatic coffee and espresso machine since there are no coffee-makers in the room, since I was able to jump down to the dining room at 7 a.m. and help myself to my 3 or 4 cups of a latte, then take a cup back up to my room to relax - this way I did not have to wait for staff to take my order for a thimble of espresso, which irritates me to no end! Everyone could get the coffee they wanted when the wanted and however many they wanted. This is generally a very thorny issue in hotels in Liguria, but not at this one. There was also a bar/barista for a 'real' espresso/capuccino for those who prefer duman intervention. This is a system that works for both hotel staff and hotel guests and I applaud Le Palme for this very sage choice. There is parking for 10€ a day and a big parking strip out front, but you had better be prepared to wait quite so time for a space to open up for this paid parking - or hope you get lucky. The strip right in front of the hotel is free, but I have never seen a car move from a spot there. I did not eat at the restaurant aside from breakfast. But I was happy to see yogurt and meusli and biscuits/breakfast cookies, in addition to the bread and wonderful smelling croissants, which I do not eat. All you can eat, and do not be embarassed (unless you are dieting!). If you are a surfer and plan to surf the famous Varazze break, you can look forward to a 2 minute walk to the jetty. It is good to know that the bar/beach area right there to the right of the jetty looking at the sea has very reasonable prices for beach chairs and loungers, bad coffee and good beer and you can buy tokens for a hot shower (also changing rooms and a not disgusting bathroom). They cater to the surf community and love your patronage. I highly recommend Le Palme and will not be staying anywhere else due to the lovely, totally Mediteranean atmosphere and the excellent value for the price. There are indeed other quite valid places in Varazze, which also appear to be rather friendly, but be careful as Varazze is known indifferent service as a rule. And I will be going every weekend, so that must tell you something. Surfers welcome.

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