Bella Italia September 2011- Upgrade? Really?

[djm195]

Anyone else going on the Bella Italia Vacation September 21st?

Also, has anyone been on a Bella Italia trip and had a problem with the hotels? We just got a letter informing us that there has been an "upgrade" to our hotel while in Sorrento. They claim it is a "five star hotel" with breath taking views of the bay.

When I looked the hotel up online, it was hardly a five star hotel. The reviews were mediocre at best and it was rated 38/100 hotels in Sorrento. Doesn't seem very Disney to me.

This trip is rather special for us--we are celebrating DW's birthday on the 21st and and a wedding anniversary.

djm

 

[Turtlemom]

We did the Bella Italia trip last August and it was fantastic. We stayed at the Europa Palace--very nice location right on the Med. with a fantastic pool and beautiful terraces. We had a very nice room downstairs from the lobby, but I heard some of the rooms on the upper floors were just so so.

Could I ask you what hotel they are "upgrading" you to?

 

[djm195]

Yes, Turtlemom. When we were researching the trip we did look at the Europa Palace and thought it looked rather nice. Apparently we are being upgraded *cough* to the Hilton Sorrento Palace. Some the photos we saw on Tripadvisor.com were scary. The pool and views look nice but geez, I don't want to be grossed out with the rooms.

 

[sayhello]

Yes, Turtlemom. When we were researching the trip we did look at the Europa Palace and thought it looked rather nice. Apparently we are being upgraded *cough* to the Hilton Sorrento Palace. Some the photos we saw on Tripadvisor.com were scary. The pool and views look nice but geez, I don't want to be grossed out with the rooms.

I'd call ABD and express your concerns. Perhaps the Hotel has recently been renovated? ASK them why this was their choice. Can't hurt to ask!

Sayhello

 

[djm195]

I'd call ABD and express your concerns. Perhaps the Hotel has recently been renovated? ASK them why this was their choice. Can't hurt to ask!

Sayhello

Well that went really well I called today and was told that the reason they changed was because the previous hotel was not up to par, so going forward it will be the Hilton Sorrento. Apparently they got some complaints about the Europa Palace. But... take a look at these photos of the "upgrade hotel" posted by a reviewer on Tripadvisor.com. I want to vomit.

 

[Bobo912]

I've never stayed at this hotel, but I have read lots of bad reviews on Trip Advisor for perfectly good hotels that I have stayed at. The overwhelming majority of reviews on Trip Advisor for this hotel are favorable, so you probably don't have anything to worry about. There are always a few bad reviews for any hotel. Also, the Hilton Sorrento Palace is the hotel that Tauck Bridges uses on their trip to this region. My experience with Tauck is that they do a great job selecting accommodations. I think if both ABD and Tauck are using this hotel, it has been checked out pretty thoroughly. I hope it turns out to be a great hotel and you're not disappointed.

 

[WeLoveABD]

The guides we have talked to say they are constantly scouting out places to stay, eat,visit--my money would be on what Disney finds and not what pops up on the internet!

 

[shampton50]

FYI, there is a trip report on this board on the old ABD Rome and the Costa Bella. Their accommodation on the Italian coast part of the trip was the Hilton Sorrento - and it was a pretty favorable review. I also believe that if Tauck is using the Hilton it is a great choice - their standards are pretty high. The one remark that I can remember from other trip reports of this hotel was that it was outside the center of town - perhaps you can find more info from either Hilton or ABD.
Bella Italia looks like a fabulous trip - hope that you and your wife have a terrific time!

 

[DisFan10]

Anyone else going on the Bella Italia Vacation September 21st?

Also, has anyone been on a Bella Italia trip and had a problem with the hotels? We just got a letter informing us that there has been an "upgrade" to our hotel while in Sorrento. They claim it is a "five star hotel" with breath taking views of the bay.

When I looked the hotel up online, it was hardly a five star hotel. The reviews were mediocre at best and it was rated 38/100 hotels in Sorrento. Doesn't seem very Disney to me.

This trip is rather special for us--we are celebrating DW's birthday on the 21st and and a wedding anniversary.

djm

We stayed at the Hilton Sorrento during our Bella Italia trip in June 2009 and we thought everything was great. The room was clean and spacious (by Italian hotel standards) and the view of the bay from our balcony was amazing. We also enjoyed the hotel restaurant where we had breakfast every morning. The buffet selection was outstanding and the restaurant had floor-to-ceiling windows where you could enjoy the view of the bay in the distance. The staff was friendly and professional.

I wouldn't worry too much about staying here. You'll have a great time on this trip!

 

[awatt]

We were VERY happy at the Hilton Sorrento! (And I am picky about hotels and when we travel we typically stay in higher end accomodations.) Out room was clean and very roomy with a beautiful view of the Bay of Naples. I cannot speak for the Tripadvisor photos, our room 3 years ago was nothing like that. Service at the hotel was excellent. The daily breakfast was lavish in a lovely room with large windows overlooking the Bay. It is not 5* by American standards, more a 4*, but is probably 5* by European standards. There was a beautiful terraced pool we enjoyed 2 of the afternoons, with a bar- try the fresh lemon sodas- wonderful!

If I am lucky enough to return someday, I would stay there agian.

 

[serenita05]

Nothing is going to nearly as nice as the US,Hope you have a Magical Trip!!!

 

[SteveInCA]

We stayed at the Hilton Sorrento on an ABD trip in 2008 and *loved* it. The rooms were nice (if a tad colorful), and the views were utterly breathtaking. The morning breakfast buffet was over the top -- my kids still talk about three years later.

The view from the shared deck outside our room. You can see the pool as down below, which the kids enjoyed every day we were there.

The view from our room:

The room:

The hotel is on the hillside above the town, and it's a bit of a hike (10 minutes, I think?) to walk up, but it wasn't a big deal.

 

[sayhello]

We stayed at the Hilton Sorrento on an ABD trip in 2008 and *loved* it. The rooms were nice (if a tad colorful), and the views were utterly breathtaking. The morning breakfast buffet was over the top -- my kids still talk about three years later.

The view from the shared deck outside our room. You can see the pool as down below, which the kids enjoyed every day we were there.

The view from our room:

The room:

The hotel is on the hillside above the town, and it's a bit of a hike (10 minutes, I think?) to walk up, but it wasn't a big deal.

Wow! That looks fabulous. That's a nice sized room, and what views!

Somehow, it seems like the poster on Trip Adviser with the bizarre photos stayed at some other hotel!

Sayhello

 

[Evildisneysiamese]

We stayed at the Hilton in Sorrento on our trip summer of 2009. It was kind of like a "beach" hotel in that it is a little worn but not depressingly so. The common areas are nice, the pool area is great (especially for kids). It's definitely not a a 5-star but more like a 3.5. It is certainly clean and inoffensive and will do little to detract from your trip. BTW, Disney will more than make up for it with the other hotels on the trip.