Hotel Elios

I only wish I could show you in pictures how great an experience we had. The food, location and friendly staff were fabulous. A beautiful beach with 2 bocce courts. Only allowed so many words I can use. We plan on returning to this little slice of heaven on earth. Thanks Ricardo,Lavinia Ivo, Gabriel, Max and AnnaRosa. Hard to explain wonderful time. See you next year Ricardo. Difficult to get to easily, but worth every hour spent on planes and cars.

It is with a heavy heart and heavy stomachs that we leave Hotel Elios after a glorious long Easter weekend. For once here is a hotel which exceeds its reviews. A small third generation hotel with a greeting which is truely a family welcome by Gabrielle who now runs the hotel although the grandparents are always around to chat to guests in English, French or Italian as is the sister and other members of the hotel family. You are warmly welcomed and in the rooms in a few minutes. Directly across from the beach, it is easy for kids to wander back and forth and entertain themselves with the local Italian kids. While parents can visit the little shops and marina or also hang out in the eternal sun. Emilia Romana is the home of Italian cuisine and this hotel has home cooked food which is wonderful and reflects the region. From sea bass, veal to tuna so well cooked it melts in your mouth to fresh mussels; every day brings more delicacies and surprises. Pasta courses and desserts are also wonderful and there are seconds and thirds if you can take it. Food served with a genuine charm and love in a way which cannot be replicated. At 18:00 there are appetisers at the bar and it is wonderful to start the evening with local wines and salami, anchovies and parma reggiana playing cards overlooking the Adriatic from the hotel. Breakfast is wonderful with local cakes, hams, cheeses or bacon and eggs freshly prepared. This is a hotel for those who want to be part of something, to immerse themselves in the local culture, to leave feeling a change somehow ...perhaps wanting to be a bit more Italian. This is not a 5 Star hotel and I know some would demand to be closeted away in luxury somewhere away from the real Italy . But this is the real Italy right here. Somehow Hotel Elios becomes your family and I know my family will return next year. A true gem.

Below is a copy of my last review. The only thing I can ad is that everyone is as smiling and pleasant as we always remember - and there are potted palm trees on our balcony. :>) "Riccardo and his son, Gabriele, make us feel so welcome - almost like family. This is our 5th stay at this delightful hotel directly across from the beach. Our large room has one of the 2 huge balconies on the first floor (2nd floor in the US) - overlooking the Adriatic. We only take half board, as the food is so delicious, if we ate lunch here, we would get charged extra by the airplanes on our way home! :>) The appetizers are served buffet style, but you choose your first & second courses (the night before), which are served at your table, as well as your chosen dessert. The wait staff are all exceedingly cheerful & attentive. Across the street is the private beach with your reserved chaises & umbrella. The 2 bocce ball courts are almost always in use. Plus there is a ping pong table. In the morning, and especially in the evening after dinner, people gather on the large covered veranda to chat and watch the people on the sidewalk below pass by. Riccardo, Gabriele and the receptionist are always happy to help with any touristic information. Each time, it is harder for us to say goodbye!!"

I have been coming back often to Hotel Elios for 31 years now with family and friends. I am meeting adults I have seen in Hotel Elios when they were children. I am sure my children will someday bring their children. Repeat business like this is indicative of the (consistent) excellent management of Hotel Elios by Riccardo. I can't possibly expand on the praise for Riccardo and his staff and the entire customer service experience that my family has experienced year after year. Gabriele's management of the beach bar is a perfect compliment to the Hotel Elios adjacent private beach area as well. And we already miss what we consider the best food in the world.