Poggio Hotel

If it were up to first impressions, this hotel might give a few reasons for pause -- the sign announcing the hotel's name looks held over from a previous decade and a fresh coat of paint should be slapped on the exterior. However, once inside, things are a more pleasant. Glass doors lead into the lobby, which is a bright, modern space, with tile flooring, white walls, and a little bar to the side of reception. A few black-and-white pictures are hung about the hotel, adding a little throwback personality. It's a quiet, peaceful place removed from traffic noise that appeals to travelers who don't mind a bit of a commute to see the sights in the Italian Riviera. The hotel attracts all types of travelers -- mainly Italian tourists, most of whom are couples, families, and solo travelers on holiday. 

Situated just off the highway, this hotel is surrounded by greenery in a picturesque and peaceful countryside setting. It's a five-minute drive from the center of Arenzano, and there are a few bars, restaurants, and shops along the way -- many within a five- to 10-minute walk. The nearest beaches are also a five-minute drive away. For those with their own cars, this hotel is a good base for exploring other areas of the Italian Riviera. Genoa, a bustling city that was the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, is a 30-minute drive from the hotel, or an hour away by public transportation. The closest airport, Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport, is also there. Portofino -- one of the Italian Riveira's most iconic towns -- is about an hour away by road. 

Rooms come in a variety of configurations, including Family Rooms that can accommodate up to four guests. The style isn't quite uniform across the board, and while certain rooms are modern, others are slightly dated. The most up-to-date options include neutral color schemes of beige and gray, tile floors, and clean-lined simple furniture. An abundance of ashen wood-veneer details in these rooms (like the Guest Room that we visited), or eye-catching patterns (as in the Drive Room), help make them a nice step above some of the other mid-range offerings in Arenzano. However, other rooms -- like the Family Rooms that we saw -- look less fresh, and include faded wall art and bland linoleum details. Drive Rooms, are motel-like, with parking right outside the room. More spacious Family Rooms have two separate sleeping areas, one with a king bed and one with a sofa bed that sleeps two. All rooms come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, safes, free Wi-Fi, and minibars. Some rooms have small balconies with plastic furniture, and most views are of the countryside. Bathrooms are tiny, but modern, and come with bidets, hairdryers, toiletries, and magnifying mirrors. Showers in Drive Rooms are tight, while those in Guest Rooms are a bit bigger. Family Rooms have tub/shower combos. We did spot a bit of discolored grout in some of the shower areas, and a simple selection of toiletries is provided.

Features are quite slim here, though most of what's on offer is a welcome addition. The hotel's semi-enclosed pool is open seasonally. It's a nice space with a waterfall that overlooks the countryside and has a breezy ambience, in part due to lots of draped fabric overhead. Wicker sofas and chairs are set up for relaxing poolside. There's also a hot tub and candles on the pool deck, adding a touch of romance after dark. In warmer months, a solarium terrace offers pink lounge chairs and white daybeds with pink pillows -- it's funky, modern place to catch some rays or relax. The hotel has a restaurant that's independently operated. Breakfast is simple, but food in general is well-liked by previous guests. There's also a small bar in the lobby. Three events spaces are sunny and bright and can accommodate gatherings of various sizes. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and parking is also free.