Gulf of Squillace Scuba Diving Holidays

I am currently staying at Parco dei Principi in Roccella, and my experience has been absolutely terrible. The air conditioning does not work because it is controlled by the front desk. Despite asking repeatedly for help, I have been left to suffer in temperatures close to 40°C with no proper air conditioning. After multiple complaints, they gave me a fan, which does not solve the problem. I have barely slept since arriving. On the first night, the mattress was completely worn out. I could feel the springs, and I was unable to sleep. I had to keep going up and down the stairs to beg the staff to do something. They eventually moved me to another room, but the shower was so tiny and narrow that you can barely move. You have to stand completely straight and still because there is almost no space. The internet is also terrible. The connection is weak, unstable, and constantly cuts in and out. I honestly do not understand how this property can call itself a five-star hotel. They control everything from the front desk computer, yet they cannot provide the most basic necessities: working air conditioning, a comfortable bed, a usable shower, and reliable internet. After several sleepless nights and repeated requests for help, I find this experience completely unacceptable. Based on the service and conditions, this hotel deserves one star at most.

Everything was great

Booked a room on Expedia based on the photos. We were really looking forward to spending time at this resort. Instead when we arrived we found that the room type we booked didn’t match the photos. The photos were of a superior room. Gabriella at reception was very helpful and apologetic and explained that the photos on Expedia were wrong. There was a blame game between Expedia and the Hotel. The hotel insisted that Expedia uploaded the photos. Expedia assured me it was the hotels fault. Ultimately the owner himself showed up very arrogantly and in front of Gabriella and my wife admitted that he uploaded the photos and that he is proud of the 20+ year old photos and that he can’t be expected to upload 50+ photos. Expedia was wonderful and relocated us to another property at the Eden where we were beachfront and had amazing meals and service. Unfortunately Luzia took our payment for the city tax and for the pre-paid Calabria themed dinner the first night of 30€ per person. When Expedia relocated us, they claimed they couldn’t perform the refund but promised the manager would perform the refund via the Nexi backend the very next day. It has been 4 days and no refund and my messages have gone unanswered. I can not in good faith recommend this property. It is old, smells of humidity and the rooms are not at all equivalent to their old photos. Thank goodness for Expedia who made this right for us.

Excellent location and restaurant very good service

The front desk on arriving was not super friendly, probably because we had two service dogs with us. They tried to charge us for the service dogs, though that is both against Hotels.com policy and Italian law. The room was OK, large, with a nice balcony. The shower, though, had mold on the showerhead nozzles. Breakfast was OK, but limited selection, and again originally an issue with the service dogs being allowed with us into the restaurant. They want us to sit outside! Fortunately, the manager/owner intervened and our service dogs and we were seated. The private beach is across the street, but easily walkable, and the dogs had a great time running on the sand. If you do NOT have a SERVICE dog, you’ll probably be treated well (or, better than we were).

Reception and staff were all very pleasant and friendly. When the safe’s alarm went off because of low batteries, they promptly came and serviced it. The bathroom itself was fairly small. The shower had a bit of mold, and the shower doors did not completely close. It was also a fairly small shower, with barely enough room to turn around in it. Water pressure was decent. The only toiletries provided was from the wall-mounted soap dispenser. The bed was extremely firm, as were all the pillows (not to taste). There was parking in front of the hotel, and it was easy to get in and out of. It was close to multiple restaurants, easily walkable.