We booked this timeshare resort through RCI. There are only four hotels in Portofino and this one is located just outside the little township - approximately a 500-metre walk along a path which overlooks the sparkling Mediterranean Sea.
The hotel is built right on the side of the road and is 3 stories high. The room we were given was on the 1st floor at the rear of the building. We had a small courtyard-ish area off the room, however since the hotel is built into the side of the hill face the rear wall of our courtyard was actually the hillside and was about 10 metres up to a road which runs behind the hotel. We were also beside the hotel’s housekeeping room. We think we may have been given the worst room in the place. They have some rooms with terraces and beautiful views over the cove and sea but I was told you have to be paying top dollar to get those rooms. As usual in Italy you get nothing for nothing.
Our room was fairly pleasantly decorated and was one large room separated by a floor to ceiling wardrobe which sectioned off the bedroom from the lounge. There was a double bed, TV, small lounge, small dining table and minibar fridge. The bathroom is very small but quite modern and contained a shower, bidet, toilet and sink. The hairdryer didn't work and although reported to the hotel, they never fixed it. A number of the bathroom towels we were given over our stay had holes in them and were very old.
There are no tea and coffee making facilities so if you are like me and need your caffeine to get moving, ensure you bring your travel jug and coffee making supplies. This hotel is supposedly a four-star hotel; however, you can't get a cup of coffee in the place until after 7.30am, and even then they look at you like you’re a huge pain in the b***.
The worst part about staying in this hotel was that on arrival we were slugged an extra 250 Euro (AUS$500 approx) which is an extra mandatory charge the hotel has introduced (since 26 March 04 apparently). You must pay this direct to the hotel, even though you will have paid RCI for your exchange. The hotel gives no good reason for the extra charge apart from "There are only 4 hotels in Portofino. If you don't like it go somewhere else". The staff and management are rude to the point of obnoxiousness. Really if you want to go to Portofino give the thieves at Hotel Piccolo a miss. Save your money and stay further up the hill at the Hotel Splendido, which is magnificent (see story on it in this journal).