La Conchiglia Resort and Spa

The range of reviews are confusing and may be people who never experienced Italy before. When we first arrived we were not happy in relation to where the bags were whilst waiting for our room or the fact we didn’t get a call when the room was ready but on reflection the bags where safe the staff knew what they were doing and the walk to reception wasn’t far to walk and ask if the room was ready. The hotel is clean and well maintained and the deluxe room which we had booked was very nice. The hotel has lovely views over the Tyrrhenian Sea and the sunsets over Stromboli are beautiful. It’s rather isolated but surrounded by pleasant and interesting scenery with a 20 minute walk to both Ricadi village, and the Belvedere Capo Vaticano - beautiful views but there are steep hills to be climbed - with a 10 to 15 minute walk to the railway station. Hiring a E bike from the hotel is about €50 for 2 per day with locks. Which made tropea easy to get to in 20 minutes. The roads are less busy than other parts of Italy and we felt safe cycling and walking along them. Management are really friendly and between them speak many languages. Food - I have a low expectation however I was pleasantly surprised it is mainly basic food but caters for everyone. Breakfast yoghurts, fruit, croissant, eggs, bacon etc Lunch and dinner wide selection and they served amazing salad every days, fish, pork, pizza, pasta dishes, soup and every so often a joint of meat on an evening, Many breads, dressings and desserts including over cream . Snack bar - mostly offers pizza, sandwiches, cakes and biscuits from the restaurant through the day. Drinks - The wine was drinkable, although there is no Rose offering, The Peroni beer is very good and comes in nice Peroni glass. Entertainment - listed by the bar so you’re aware what’s happening Entertainment finishes at 11pm ish which is early for Italy and we were happy with. The entertainment manager is fun and makes it easy for you to join in. Beach - small bus and buggy available to drive you to the beach until 630pm with only a 2 hour gap in the day at siesta times which is normal, there’s a beach bar to walk is easy if you’re fit as it’s down a steep road taking about 5 minutes to walk. 2 pools - one quiet one busy both nice. Never struggled to find a lounger and if you do I’m sure the hotel would sort for you Tip - ask for an extra pillow The coop shop is about a mile away - flat walk so no hills and there is a pavement most of the way We bought extra snacks but we didn’t really need to as food is always available we just fancies crisps and sweet. All the staff and friendly and the spa is nice and well priced I recommend it, I think people who have commented about food and either picky or have high expectations. We could eat every day might not be what you originally wanted but it’s all fresh. Every place you ever stay you can pick a fault with and on reflection overall the hotel was nice. The tui rep zsusannah was so nice and very helpful probably the best rep I’ve come across. Only thing I really would have loved from the hotel a steak!! P.s if the staff knew was your birthday you got a huge cake

Positives: Nice room, good aircon, excellent view. Good pool, plenty of sunbeds, beach is also good, steep lane to get to it so use the hotels minibus. Lovely roof terrace for drinks and sunsets on the evening. Very friendly staff, the whole place is well maintained and looks good. Overall a relaxing and quiet location. Negatives: Food quality isn't great, often runs out, as do cutlery and crockery. Soft drinks like coke zero, etc, are awful. There are no snacks at all at the beach bar, despite what the hotel and TUi says. Daytime snacks are just biscuits, dry cakes and cold pizza. There is a tourist tax to pay, but wasn't told about it by either TUi or the reception staff. Reception team are all very nice but useless at sorting issues out; just find the manager and he gets stuff done. As said on other reviews it is pretty remote with no village, etc, nearby. Taxis are very expensive, use the train to go to Tropea, €5.60 return for 2 people, it's only a 10 min walk from the hotel to the station. If you have an early check put and transfer to the airport, there is no breakfast available until 7.30am, despite being told there was by the hotel. So in summary, it's a nice hotel, very relaxing, gorgeous views, great pool and beach, lovely staff and comfortable rooms. But there are lots of niggles to sort out before it gets 5 stars.

As the first guests of the season in my opinion the resort wasn't ready. Electrics in the room were incorrectly wired, with only 20 guests in the hotel it felt deserted and was on an extremely isolated spot. The up side was the amazing staff who were friendly helpful and Gabrielle on reception was brilliant. Needless to say we came home 2 days into a 14 day holiday