Hotel Rex

The hotel offers a memorable stay, primarily distinguished by its stunning sea views and direct sea access, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the coastal environment. Recently renovated, the property boasts modern rooms and a generally clean environment, contributing to a comfortable experience. While the staff at reception are consistently praised for their helpfulness, feedback on the dining experience, particularly breakfast, is mixed. The hotel is well-suited for couples seeking a romantic getaway with picturesque sunsets, and families who can benefit from spacious accommodations and direct access to the water for recreational activities. Travelers with cars will find the location convenient due to ample parking. To maximize your stay, consider requesting a room on a higher floor for an even more expansive vista, and be prepared for the hotel's somewhat isolated location by planning transportation and evening dining options in advance.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel provides a range of facilities designed to enhance the guest experience, with a notable emphasis on its private beach and sea access. Guests appreciate the convenience of free parking available both in front and behind the hotel, making it ideal for those traveling by car. The hotel offers water sports equipment such as canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and pedalos for guest use, adding to the recreational opportunities. While some guests noted that the fitness center was under renovation or closed during their stay, the hotel does provide a coffee machine and water dispenser near reception for guest convenience. It is important to note that while the hotel offers sunbeds and umbrellas on its concrete beach platform, there is often an additional daily fee for their use, which some guests found surprising. Wi-Fi connectivity is generally available, though some guests reported intermittent issues.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently commend the hotel for its exceptional cleanliness and the modern rooms, which have undergone recent renovations. Many rooms are described as spacious rooms, offering ample living area, and often feature a balcony with captivating sea views. The comfortable beds are frequently highlighted, though some guests found the pillows to be too firm or noted that queen beds were formed from two pushed-together twin beds. The spacious bathrooms are well-appointed with good showers, some even featuring chromotherapy, though a few guests wished for a shelf to place toiletries. A significant recurring concern is the room temperature, with many reporting hot rooms and issues with the air conditioning not being adjustable or functional. Noise levels can also be an issue, particularly from loud music emanating from the beach club or neighboring rooms, and some guests were bothered by a flashing smoke detector light at night.

Dining & Food Quality
Feedback on the hotel's dining options is varied. The breakfast, served on a terrace with picturesque sea views, receives mixed reviews; while some guests praise its variety and the quality of the coffee, others found the selection limited, the food cold, or not up to a four-star standard. The main restaurant is often lauded for its food quality, particularly seafood dishes, and its stunning sunset views, though some guests found it to be expensive or noted a limited choice for vegetarian options. Service in the main restaurant also garnered mixed comments, with some experiencing language barriers or unhelpful staff. The beach bar or secondary restaurant is described as having a more limited menu and sometimes less friendly service. Overall, while the setting for dining is frequently praised, the consistency of food quality and service can vary.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is a prominent feature, offering direct sea access and a beautiful coastal setting. However, it is described as an isolated location, situated outside the main Livorno city center. Guests without a car noted that reaching the city or nearby amenities can be challenging, as public transport options, such as buses, are limited, especially in the evenings. While a train station is within walking distance, it is a smaller stop with fewer connections. For those traveling by car, the hotel provides convenient and free parking, which is a significant advantage given the location. The surrounding area is generally quiet, though some guests found it to be somewhat undeveloped. The hotel's position makes it ideal for a tranquil seaside retreat, but less so for easy access to urban attractions or a wide variety of dining and entertainment options within walking distance.

Staff & Service
The hotel's staff receive highly varied feedback, with a clear distinction often made between different departments. The reception staff are consistently praised for being exceptionally friendly staff, helpful staff, professional, and accommodating, often going out of their way to assist guests with requests or issues, including smooth check-in processes. However, the restaurant staff frequently receive negative comments, with many guests reporting instances of unhelpful, rude, or unprofessional behavior, and significant language barriers. This contrast in service quality can impact the overall guest experience. On the positive side, housekeeping is generally commended for maintaining high standards of cleanliness in the rooms. Despite some inconsistencies, the dedication of the reception team is a recurring highlight, contributing positively to guests' stays.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that the hotel has undergone significant ongoing renovations, which, while resulting in modern rooms, sometimes mean certain facilities like the fitness center are unavailable or that there might be some construction noise. A notable point of contention for many guests is the beach club fees, as the use of sunbeds and umbrellas on the hotel's "private beach" often incurs an additional daily charge, even for hotel guests. Another frequent complaint, particularly for rooms facing the sea, is the presence of loud music from the beach club or restaurant events that can continue late into the night, causing disturbance. The hotel operates a pet-friendly policy, allowing pets in the restaurant area for a fee. Some larger family rooms are equipped with a kitchenette, offering added convenience. Guests have also reported unexpected breakfast schedule changes and, in rare instances, booking cancellations by the hotel. A diving center is conveniently located within the hotel premises.