Atlantic Palace Hotel

We've just returned from a weeks all-inclusive. I think some of these reviews are very harsh. The room was spacious, clean and in good order. The food was pleasant enough (but I'm not a foodie nor a fusspot). The restaurant manner was very nice to us and other staff were efficient although bar staff were not particularly engaging (their English was surprisingly poor).
The location is an issue and if you don't want to be dependant on the shuttle (which it seems doesn't always run Thursday) you can opt for a hair-raising walk into town (no pavements for half the way). Entertainment was also limited to the same average singer every night - strangely there was no background music at all during the day or evening so the hotel was often deathly silent. Like many hotels, quite noisy especially in the mornings with many people getting up at silly hours for trips out I guess. The age group at the hotel was mainly 55+ and quite upmarket so don't expect any wild parties.
Overall though we had no significant complaints and the all inclusive deal was brilliant as we like our drink and Italy is stupidly expensive - expect to pay 4/5 Euros for half a lager - a big bottle is 1.5 Euros on the shop up the road from the Hotel, which also does superb rolls. Sorrento and it's surrounds though are truly spectacular.

Stayed at this hotel early November,'10 as part of a tour, celebrating our honeymoon.Upon our arrival we were told that there was no hot water due to bla! bla!,bla!!! and that it would be back on within an hour to an hour and a half. Not so!! No hot water that evening or the next morning.Off we went on a day tour without showering hoping that they would finally restore the hot water by the time we came back. Not so!! That is when I lost it and we decided to leave. Our tour guide manged to tranfer us and the rest of the tour members to a real four star hotel that evening.For those individuals who think the view is the most important aspect of a hotel, then this is the place for you. This might have been a four star at one time but as a seasoned traveler take my word and skip this place.There are plenty of hotels to stay in Sorrento.

1 reader found this review helpful

My wife and I stayed at the Atlantic palace for 1 week 4/10/10 to 11/10/10. We both found the hotel totally to our needs and the food and service superb. The view of Vesuvius from our room across the bay was very good indeed. Only complaint would be the coffee at breakfast. Yes the walk along the busy road is a bit hairy. But we had a great time. If you want to do the Amalfi coast drive do it by an oranised coach trip, but if you want to see Pompeii etc catch the bus to the train station then take the train, its fun and very cheap.make sure you validate your train or bus ticket.
Enjoyed this holiday very much, credit to thomson and the Atlantic palace

4 readers found this review helpful

Stayed at this hotel mid September 2008. Generally comfortable, room a decent size, air conditioning in bedroom and public rooms very useful. Was given a room in the annexe, which we would not normally want, but it did mean it was quiet. We had a good view of Vesuvius and Naples, and right across the bay. We were lucky that visibility was very good when we were there.
Food all right, I suppose, not very adventurous, and a bit monotonous. We would probably have preferred to have been closer to Sorrento, but our tour operator's brochure did warn us that it was a bit out of town. We didn't walk into town but used the local bus once - no real problem. We were out all day every day because the holiday included excursions all over the place.
I'm surprised that some people posting reviews found the pool not very clean - it seemed clean when we were using it. I agree about the pool bar not being open and having to find someone to get us towels. The room could have been cleaner - seemed clean on the surface but not so clean when we looked hard. Bathroom clean enough, and the shower was about the easiest to use we've ever had in a hotel, in UK or abroad.
Staff fine - never found them rude. We always tried to use Italian, and approached them with a smile, which might have made a difference.
Finally, I know this posting is about the hotel, not the tour operator, but I'd recommend Riviera Travel to anyone and would go with them again. The rating I have given is for the overall holiday and is brought down a bit by the hotel - I'd give Riviera Travel, the tour manager, and the excursions 10/10.

2 readers found this review helpful

Spent 8 days at this hotel, staff were fantastic, food was excellent and varied, views from my room were to die for, only complaint i can think of is you have to pay for a drink of water.
Hope the restaurant manager looks after my Newcastle hat.

4 readers found this review helpful

This will be the first time I have ever posted on a feedback page but I felt that I had to warn other travellers to avoid this hotel, or at least have a full understanding of what they are letting themselves in for (I wish I have read through the reviews before I booked!!)
Firstly the reviewers above who have marked high scores must not get out much as I have only given this a '1' because its the lowest mark possible.
The room we booked was allegedly a 'Superior' room with a sea view, which cost £100 more than the couple we travelled with. The room turned out to be exactly the same as every other one, and admittedly we did have a sea view, but as the sea was a mile or so away I'm not sure they can justify the addtional cost. The first room we were given had a smell of sewage (no joking) and when we asked to be moved we were advised that we had to wait until the following day when the manager would be in. To be fair the manager did apologise and moved us the following morning.
The pictures of the hotel on the website are deceiving. It is generall quite tired looking and could defintely do with a full re-furb. The rooms were tidied not cleaned each day and the general decor left a lot to be desired.
The breakfast was passable though agree with the reviewer above that after a few days it was quite boring. Thankfully we never stayed there for lunch or dinner but what is worth noting is that the hotel will not serve you food between 2pm and 7.30pm and the shops are 30min away in Sorrento. I did ask if there was a local shop and a rather arrogant man told me there wasn't and even though I explained my wife was pregnant and needed to eat, I was informed there was nothing they could do. Note though if you are going to stay here that there is a mini-market 400m up the hill which he failed to mention. I think this is because they want you to pay their ridiculous prices - 5 euro for a bottle of water that is less than 1 euro in the shops, though this may be the same everywhere.
The pool bar was very rarely manned and although they are supposed to supply towels, generally we had to find a staff member each morning to get one. When I asked why the pool bar wasn't manned I was adivsed that it was 'too hot' to be outside!! The pool itself clearly hadn't been cleaned in some time.
Some of the staff are very pleasant - the guy who drives the shuttle bus is very accomodating and although the board says it doesn't run on Thursdays, it did when we were there. Other staff members were very rude and at times I felt we were inconveniencing them by asking for a drink or towel.
The hotel sits on a hill and it is a bit of a pain to work your holiday around the shuttle bus or local bus schedule (I know this has nothing to do with the hotel but don't ever get a taxi as they are a complete rip-off - we paid 25 euro for a 1.5km journey!) and to walk is risking your life as there is no path and the driving has to be seen to be believed.
Sorrento is a beautiful place and I would recommend it, however, do yourslef a favour and avoid this hotel!!

2 readers found this review helpful

This hotel was clean and well mantained
All the staff were helpful and happy
Upon arrival all guests were greeted with champagne on ice in thier rooms
The hotel is near to town and several guests used to walk into town. Unfortunetely for my wife this was not possiable, however, we used the very efficient shuttle bus service offered at the hotel.
The food was of a very good standard and variety.
We will be returning next with friends

2 readers found this review helpful

The hotel was nice and clean, staff friendly and helpful. It is approx 15-20 mins walk into the Centre and is on a slight hill.
The walk into centre is a bit hazardous as there is a part of the journey that has no pavements and the drivers there are mental! Not a place for kids as not much to keep them occupied. Pool is very cold so not suitable for small children. Managed to get sunbeds easy enough.
Hotel breakfast was ok, mostly continental but also hotdog-like sausages, bacon and scrambled egg. Might get a bit boring if staying for a week or more. Complimentary shuttle bus is very handy but does not operate on Thursdays; however there is a public bus that stops outside the hotel.
There is a train station in Sorrento where you can visit Pompeii and Naples to name a few. I recommend that you do not drive here (particularly scooters) as there seems to be no system/rules apart from close your eyes and hope for the best.
All in all a nice hotel with all basic amenities and not too far from the centre. Sorrento is beautiful, definitely recommended.

4 readers found this review helpful

There are pros and cons to the location about two kilometres out of the town. On the one hand, it feels fresher than the town centre, whilst on the other; there is no access by foot to bars etc.
The road remains highly dangerous for pedestrians and it is essential to use the shuttle bus or very cheap public bus to get into town. The camp site opposite can be exploited - the shop sells basics and it is quite pleasant to stroll in its woodland.
During our stay, staff in the hotel were extremely friendly and unfailingly helpful; service was always efficient. All areas, both public and bedroom were clean and well kept. We had no complaints about our room at all.
Restaurant was generally Ok. We arrived late - 9.30pm - and were offered the full meal, which gave us a good feel in terms of service.
Breakfast would have been improved by drinkable coffee and better quality fruit juices. Wines were of low quality for their price.
Dinner consisted of a small starter, choice from three primo (pasta) dishes followed by choice of three main courses - one always being fish. Sweet buffet was adequate - range of choice improved significantly when a German party arrived!
Overall, we were well satisfied and relieved to find the hotel significantly better than some of the earlier reviews on this page had suggested.

1 reader found this review helpful

Situated on the main road into town, which is narrow, dangerous and entirely lacking pavements, the location was less than ideal. As a single traveler, I was allocated a room little larger than a cupboard in the new wing (i.e. bunker) with a fabulous view of the back of the pool house. For this I paid a single supplement of £120. This I could have tolerated, were it not for the abominable food.
The 'fresh' fruit was elderly, the bread rolls were so hard they could be classed as a dangerous weapon, the hotel seemed to think that fruit juice constitutes a course at dinner, and the meals were just awful. Vegetables boiled to mush or from tins, soggy crisps served as an accompaniment to plain omlette, pasta with tinned tomato over it and nothing else - these were the highlights. At the weekly 'gala dinner' we were treated to an extra course, which turned out to be the potatoes served with the pork.
At one point, the chef emerged from the kitchen with the pork, wearing a medal, and did a lap of honour around the dining room! Dessert also did a lap of honour, as the lights were dimmed and the theme to 'Rocky' was played. I kid you not. The staff were pleasant. Avoid this place at all costs, unless your taste buds are dead.