Grande Albergo Internazionale — Hotel in Brindisi

It used to be a nice hotel but now it is in a desperate need of major upgrades. We wanted to say in a junior suite but all of them were booked due to a weekend regata in town. So we opted for a superior room with water view and ended up on the 3rd floor. The room was spacious and so was the bathroom but the shower was tiny. It was very hot outside and the AC barely pumped any cold air despite being on full blast and extremely noisy. The refrigerator didn’t work. The WiFi didn’t work either. It worked downstairs and up to the 2nd floor but disappeared after that. I guess the router is downstairs and no booster. The shower handle didn’t properly attach so if you move the water pressure up, the water would shoot up on the ceiling. The carpet was old and stained. We complained to the front desk and after one night were moved to the junior suite on the second floor that became available ( room 221). The WiFi was much better. So was the shower, large cabin with rain shower. The floors were tile instead of the stained carpet. But the refrigerator was broken again and the AC was the same, even noisier and it was at least 80F in the room with the AC on max. |We informed the front desk about the refrigerator issue and received the “ I know” response. And that was that.|My husband got up on the chair and saw that the AC was making crazy noise because the filter was loose. He maneuvered through a small opening and managed to push the filter back in place. He also saw that the filter was completely clogged. It probably has not been cleaned in 10 years. Explains why the AC was so noisy with no cold air coming in. With a coat hanger and a towel, my husband managed to clean the filter somewhat and the temperature in the room got much more comfortable. So room 221 is probably cooler that others 😀. |The breakfast was plentiful but typically Italian fair. Lots of cold options but only scrambled eggs and sausages for hot. Anything else you have to pay. We are cold breakfast eaters so we enjoyed it very much. |The breakfast room staff was amazing! Friendly and accommodating. The two front desk ladies were rude and unhelpful. Didn’t even respond when we greeted them. The gentleman was much friendlier. |Overall, despite the excellent location on the water and the convenience of taking the ferry to work, I don’t think I will...

Grande Albergo is only the building....

The central position of the 4 Star Joke... was OK. We had a Seaview room up front (Junior Suite), which was very high and big, and also big was the price….. That was the only positive thing during our stay as a Copple in May 2024. The original furniture dating anno 1876 is quite interesting.... you have the feeling that you are visiting a museum, or that you are in a movie… The Hotel is run down very much, starting from the entrance lobby which has a big spider web hanging down from the ceiling and broken windows. In the minibar fridge only 2 bottles of water with NO drinking glasses. On the bed only light covering (we had to take the warmer duvet from the closed, it was a duvet with NO cover on). In the bathroom I missed a few things: toothbrush glass, face tissues, liquid shower gel and liquid hair shampoo and conditioner, and the things you would normally expect in a for-star Hotel, instead only two little pieces of HARD soap... A no go is: I said good morning at the 2 receptionist (young ladies) on my way to the breakfast room, but got no answer what so ever..... A bit later the receptionist with the long black hair makes her ponytail, in full view of the customers, and later checks messages on the cellular Phone.... Very impolite does 2 ladies at the reception. The gentleman which received as in the afternoon was very polite and friendly, just the way you expect a receptionist to behave. I never had to drink water, at breakfast out off a little plastic cup in a 4 Star Hotel. This Hotel had his best days a long time ago, and can no longer pretend to be a for-star Hotel. Not at all worth what the management is asking you to pay. The regional commission should check the Hotel category, and correct the star rating to wat it is in Sommer 2024. This structure is definitely not a 4-star...

Salve

Loved the location of the hotel.. the entrance is bang opposite the Adriatic Sea & the Italian sailor’s monument. The behaviour of the staff was friendly & understanding. More than the decor I liked the professionalism & the behaviour of the staff. With little knowledge of Italian the staff patiently heard what I wanted to convey. At the reception desk I found everyone to be courteous & helpful. Nadia the housekeeping lady is very warm & friendly. We stayed for a week in March 2024.

In the morning, the staff( a lady & a gentleman) always greeted us warmly with a big smile at the breakfast table. Breakfast was yummy.. missing it so much. loved the Focaccia, tarts, krapfen, cake, the cooked vegetables, juice & not to forget the coffee(cappuccino/café latte) which was served with love by the staff.

It’s a walking city & everything is available near the hotel. Medicines, hair salons, clothing stores, grocery stores, accessories, eating joint, pet food.

Ferries are also available to go across the sea. Train station is also at a walking distance.

For visiting different cities near Brindisi, we hired a taxi as suggested by the front office male staff. The chauffeur Robertino & his girlfriend were very kind & friendly. We visited cities/towns Ostuni, Alberobello & Polignano a Mare. He also dropped us at the airport. The chauffeur has a good voice & he sang the Frank Sinatra along the way to make our travel fun. He also suggested us to buy cheese .. & I tell you it was fresh & tasty.

Keep up the good work! Grazie e Arrivederci till we...