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Summary of reviewsHotel Helvetia enjoys a prime location in the heart of Genoa, making it an excellent base for tourists. It is conveniently close to key attractions such as Piazza Principe train station, the historic center and the bustling port area, which includes the Aquarium and the Old Port. The accessibility of bus and metro stops right outside the hotel enhances its strategic position, praised by visitors for providing easy walking access to numerous sites and vibrant neighborhoods. Guests can also enjoy scenic views of landmarks like the Santissima Annunziata del Vastato church from the hotel.
The breakfast offerings at Hotel Helvetia receive positive feedback for their extensive variety, featuring both savory and sweet options with standouts like freshly squeezed orange juice and top-tier focaccia bread. The breakfast buffet is well-stocked with items such as croissants, cold cuts, pastries and fresh bread, enhanced by the friendly and helpful staff in the dining room. While there are minor critiques regarding limited seating and the absence of vegetables, the overall consensus is that the breakfast represents excellent quality and variety.
Room quality at Hotel Helvetia is a mixed bag; guests appreciate the spaciousness, cleanliness and comfortable beds. Some rooms are particularly noted for their large size and charming views, adding to the airy and welcoming ambiance. However, there are comments about outdated decor, compact bathrooms and intermittent noise from the street outside. Despite these drawbacks, the impeccable cleanliness and regular room maintenance are frequently highlighted with ongoing renovations hinting at future improvements.
The cleanliness of the hotel consistently garners high remarks from guests. Rooms and bathrooms are described as spotless and well-maintained with daily cleaning and fresh towel provisions enhancing comfort levels. While minor issues such as dusty ceilings in common areas are occasionally mentioned, the hotel’s dedication to cleanliness is evident.
The staff at Hotel Helvetia is one of its strongest assets, receiving consistent praise for their friendliness, professionalism and helpfulness. Guests often note the warm and welcoming atmosphere created by the team, who are attentive and efficient in handling requests and providing detailed local information. Individual staff members are frequently mentioned for their exceptional hospitality, contributing significantly to the positive guest experience.
Free Wi-Fi at the hotel has been a point of mixed reviews. While some guests encounter weak or inconsistent signals, especially in their rooms, others have experienced good connectivity. The overall guest experience remains positive due to the hotel's other strengths, despite the occasional issues with Wi-Fi.
Parking options are available at Hotel Helvetia, though they are mainly focused on paid facilities nearby. Guests appreciate the convenience of the close proximity, but note the necessity of reserving a spot in advance due to limited availability.
Families find Hotel Helvetia accommodating with spacious rooms that can comfortably host both small and larger family units. The staff’s friendliness, particularly their courteous assistance and valuable advice, contributes to a pleasant stay for families, despite some challenges for stroller users.
The hotel's vibrant location appeals to nightlife enthusiasts, who enjoy easy access to bars and entertainment venues. However, noise can be an issue, especially on weekends, despite the hotel’s soundproofing efforts. Safety concerns are noted by some guests regarding the surrounding area after dark.
Beds at Hotel Helvetia are generally praised for their comfort, contributing to a restful night’s sleep. While isolated complaints about bed firmness and pillow quality exist, the overall sentiment is positive with clean and cozy linens enhancing guest satisfaction.
As a three-star establishment, Hotel Helvetia fulfills the expectations of providing clean and functional accommodations with courteous staff and a comfortable experience. While some guests desire more substantial offerings, the hotel remains a solid choice for short stays and those seeking good mid-range value.
In summary, Hotel Helvetia excels in location, cleanliness and staff service, making it a reliable and convenient choice for visitors to Genoa. With ongoing updates and improvements, it holds promise for an even more enhanced guest experience in the future. Show more
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Categories
Historic Hotel
Located in Piazza della Nunziata, a historic square near the Via Balbi and the Palazzi dei Rolli area. The hotel is situated in a historically significant part of the city.
Dog Friendly Hotel
Hotel Helvetia is a pet-friendly hotel in Genoa. It offers a comfortable stay for guests who wish to bring their pets along.
Hotel near Nightlife Spots
Situated in Piazza della Nunziata, the Hotel Helvetia provides access to the Old Town and Porto Antico. The Old Town and Porto Antico are known for their nightlife. It's a central location for experiencing Genoa's evening entertainment.
Business Hotel
Offers essential business facilities and is situated in a central location, making it convenient for meetings and transport.
3-Star Hotel
Located in Piazza della Nunziata, it is centrally located. It offers comfortable rooms and easy access to cultural sites, making it ideal for tourists interested in exploring Genoa's historical center.
Family Friendly Hotel
Hotel with Parking
Room Types
Single RoomAir-conditioned room with free Wi-Fi and free mineral water in the minibar.
Smoking in the room is forbidden
Double RoomAir-conditioned room with free Wi-Fi and free mineral water in the minibar.
Smoking in the room is forbidden
Triple RoomAir-conditioned room with free Wi-Fi and free mineral water in the minibar.
Smoking in the room is forbidden
Quadruple RoomAir-conditioned room with free Wi-Fi and free mineral water in the minibar.
Smoking in the room is forbidden
Twin RoomAir-conditioned room with free Wi-Fi and free mineral water in the minibar.
Smoking in the room is forbidden
About Hotel Helvetia
License: 010025-ALB-0053, IT010025A17ZUVJT8X
Guest Reviews
7.8
Good
Location
Hotel Helvetia’s location is a standout feature for guests who have visited. Nestled centrally in Genoa, the hotel offers unbeatable proximity to key sites such as the Piazza Principe train station, the historic center and the bustling port including the Aquarium and the Old Port. This prime spot situates visitors within walking distance of numerous attractions, museums and vibrant neighborhoods, making it a perfect base for exploring the city on foot. Many reviews highlight the convenience of having bus and metro stops right outside, further enhancing the accessibility of the hotel's strategic position. The location not only meets practical needs but also provides a scenic view of notable landmarks like the Santissima Annunziata del Vastato church. Heringing high praise for its central placement, Hotel Helvetia proves ideal for tourists eager to immerse themselves in the cultural and historic wonders of Genoa without the need for extensive commuting.
Breakfast
Hotel Helvetia's breakfast offerings have largely received positive feedback from guests. The breakfast is praised for its extensive variety, combining both savory and sweet options. Freshly squeezed orange juice is frequently highlighted as a standout feature, adding a refreshing touch to the morning meal. The breakfast buffet is described as abundant with a wide selection of items including croissants, cold cuts, focaccia bread and various pastries. Many guests noted the excellent quality of the breakfast, appreciating both its abundance and variety. The friendly and helpful staff in the dining room also enhanced the overall breakfast experience.
While reviews were mostly positive, a few guests mentioned areas for improvement, such as the limited seating, lack of good fresh fruit and the absence of vegetables. Despite these minor critiques, the general consensus is that the breakfast at Hotel Helvetia is of very good quality, offering great value for money and satisfying a range of tastes.
Dinner
Hotel Helvetia boasts a quality dining experience with numerous positive reviews highlighting its excellent recommendations for local restaurants. Guests appreciate the convenience of having everything within reach for eating. The breakfast provided is noted for its quality, featuring top-tier focaccia, although some guests mentioned the absence of cold cuts and cheeses. The lunch service at the hotel is also highly praised. Additionally, there's a noteworthy mention of a nearby Irish Pub that guests find absolutely worth visiting. Overall, the dining options at and around Hotel Helvetia receive commendations for both variety and quality.
Rooms
Hotel Helvetia, located centrally in a bustling city, offers a mix of experiences through its rooms. While many guests praised the spaciousness and cleanliness, especially appreciating the comfortable beds and functional amenities, there are areas in need of improvement. The hotel boasts some large rooms, including those with balconies and a charming view of the square, providing an airy and welcoming atmosphere.
However, the decor across many rooms appears outdated with several comments pinpointing old and worn-out furniture. Some rooms tend to be on the smaller side and this is particularly noticeable in the proximity of the corridors and elevators, which can be quite narrow. A few reviews pointed out issues such as inadequate lighting and humidity due to limited ventilation.
Guests mentioned that the hotel's central location added some convenience for sightseeing, yet rooms facing the street could be noisy, affecting the ability to keep windows open at night. Despite these drawbacks, many rooms have been highlighted for their impeccable cleanliness and tidy presentation.
The bathrooms, while clean, are frequently described as compact, sometimes even cramped and could benefit from modernization. Renovations appear to be underway in some parts of the hotel, hinting at a potential uplift in the overall guest experience in the near future.
Overall, Hotel Helvetia stands out for its spacious and clean rooms combined with a prime inner-city location, although updating its rooms and facilities would significantly enhance guest comfort and satisfaction.
Beds
Guests at Hotel Helvetia frequently praise the comfort of the beds, often describing them as large, soft and particularly comfortable. Many travelers highlight the comfort of the pillows and the quality of the mattresses. Cleanliness is also a notable positive feature with many reviews appreciating the clean bedding and rooms.
However, some guests have mentioned that the beds can sometimes be too hard or too soft with a few finding the pillows either too lumpy or too firm. There are occasional remarks about double beds being formed by pushing two single beds together, which sometimes causes discomfort due to separation.
Overall, while there are isolated complaints about bed hardness and pillow quality, the general consensus is that Hotel Helvetia offers comfortable, clean and cozy accommodations, making for a pleasant stay.
Cleanliness
Hotel Helvetia in Genoa consistently receives high marks for cleanliness from its guests. The hotel rooms are frequently described as very clean, spotless and immaculately maintained. Guests appreciate the meticulous daily room cleaning and the fresh towels provided regularly, which contribute to an overall impression of excellent cleanliness. Many guests noted that both the rooms and bathrooms were consistently clean and functional, adding to the comfort of their stay.
In addition to the clean rooms, the hotel staff are commended for being polite, courteous and attentive to cleanliness. Several reviews highlighted the friendly and clean staff as a positive aspect of their stay.
However, there were some mentions of areas that could use improvement, including cleanliness in common areas and occasional lapses in maintenance. A few guests noted issues such as dusty ceilings, dirty hallway carpets and outdated structures. Despite these points, the general consensus remains favorable regarding the hotel's adherence to cleanliness standards.
Overall, Hotel Helvetia stands out for its clean and comfortable rooms, making it a reliable choice for travelers prioritizing hygiene during their stay.
Staff
Hotel Helvetia is celebrated for its outstanding staff, who are consistently described as friendly, helpful and professional. Visitors often highlight the warm and welcoming atmosphere created by the attentive team, which includes polite receptionists and courteous cleaning personnel. The staff receives high praise for being exceptionally courteous, always available to assist and handling requests efficiently. Many guests specifically mention individuals by name, such as Mrs. Elisabetta and Mrs. Cristina, for their remarkable hospitality.
Particularly noteworthy is the staff's ability to provide helpful and detailed information, whether about local parking options or general inquiries. The team’s efforts in ensuring a pleasant check-in and check-out experience are also frequently mentioned. Guests appreciate the personal touches, such as being greeted with a smile and the provision of amenities like water in the refrigerator.
Overall, the consistent praise for Hotel Helvetia's staff suggests that their commitment to excellent service significantly enhances the guest experience, making it a top choice for visitors seeking a hospitable and efficient stay.
Wi-Fi
Hotel Helvetia offers its guests a mix of experiences when it comes to Wi-Fi connectivity. Many guests have encountered issues with weak or inconsistent Wi-Fi signals, particularly in the rooms, where the connection was often described as poor or unreliable. Despite these challenges, some positive mentions highlight that there were times when the Wi-Fi worked well and a few guests found the connection to be high-quality.
On a brighter note, Hotel Helvetia consistently receives praise for its courteous staff and clean, comfortable rooms, which contribute positively to the overall guest experience. Although the Wi-Fi connectivity may need improvement to meet standards consistently, the hotel excels in providing a pleasant and accommodating environment for its guests.
Parking
Hotel Helvetia offers a range of parking options, mainly focused on paid and nearby facilities. Despite advertising free parking, most guests have noted a fee, usually around €10 or more. The hotel's parking is generally considered convenient and closely located, often just steps away or about 200 meters from the hotel. A partnership with a nearby garage provides additional space, although it comes with an extra cost.
Guests have highlighted the necessity of reserving a parking spot in advance, given the limited availability which sometimes isn't guaranteed even with a booking. Some visitors experienced difficulty finding parking or faced inconveniences such as needing to leave their keys or dealing with restrictive operating hours.
The private parking area, equipped with cameras, offers added security and some positive notes mention the hotel's efforts to find parking spots for their guests. However, the inconsistency in availability and the occasional need for better assistance from staff have been noted drawbacks.
Overall, while the parking situation may present some challenges, many guests appreciated the proximity and the organization of the parking facilities provided by the hotel.
Family
Hotel Helvetia is frequently praised as a top choice for families, noted for its spacious and clean rooms that accommodate both small and large family units comfortably. The hotel’s rooms are described as perfect for families, providing a great environment whether guests are staying with one child or two young children aged 7 and 4. Despite some reviews mentioning that the hotel is not ideal for stroller users, the staff proactively offer solutions, such as lending a stroller to those in need.
The staff's courtesy and friendliness are consistently highlighted with particular attention given to the courteous cleaning staff and helpful breakfast lady. Guests appreciate the valuable advice and welcoming demeanor of the staff, making family stays even more pleasant.
For families looking to explore the city, the hotel’s location is convenient for walking tours, adding to its appeal as a suitable spot for a family trip. While some reviews advise caution for families with very small children or those reliant on strollers, the overall sentiment remains positive due to the hotel’s accommodations and the staff’s efforts to assist where needed.
Nightlife
Hotel Helvetia is nestled in a vibrant area teeming with nightlife, making it an ideal spot for those who enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city after dark. The hotel's proximity to various bars and entertainment venues ensures that guests are never far from the action. This convenient location means that nightlife enthusiasts will find themselves within walking distance of some of the city's key spots for evening entertainment.
While the vibrancy of the area is a major draw, it does come with its drawbacks. The streets around the hotel can be noisy, particularly on weekends. Late-night revelers, traffic sounds and occasional disturbances from nearby bars are common with some guests noting noise from motorcycles, ambulances and even bottle throwing. This can make for a less-than-ideal sleeping environment for those sensitive to noise.
However, the hotel has taken measures to mitigate these disruptions. The soundproofing of windows in some rooms has been highlighted as excellent, helping to buffer the external noise to a manageable level. Despite these efforts, it's clear that the surrounding nightlife and street activity can still be quite audible, especially late at night and on weekends.
For safety, it’s worth noting that some guests felt uneasy walking around after 10 pm. The overall ambience of the night area has been described as somewhat unattractive and caution is advised.
In conclusion, Hotel Helvetia is perfect for night owls eager to immerse themselves in the local nightlife. Still, light sleepers or those seeking tranquility might find the constant hum of the city a challenge, despite the hotel's soundproofing efforts.
3 Star
Hotel Helvetia delivers the essentials expected from a three-star establishment, providing a solid and functional experience for guests. The hotel is clean with comfortable rooms that are well-maintained by courteous staff. While some guests felt that the breakfast met standard three-star quality, others expected a more substantial offering and larger rooms. The hotel staff stands out for their kindness and helpfulness, prepared to meet any request. Overall, the hotel is appropriate for short stays, making it a good mid-range value for those seeking a clean and functional place to stay for 1-2 nights.
Business
Hotel Helvetia stands out for its cleanliness and accommodating staff, which consistently garners praise from business travelers. The rooms and buildings are meticulously maintained by courteous cleaning staff, ensuring a comfortable stay. The hotel's location is strategic for business purposes, conveniently close to transportation hubs. These attributes make it a reasonable choice for short business stays, despite limited available amenities directly mentioned in other aspects.
Historic
Nestled in the historic center of Genoa, Hotel Helvetia boasts a perfect location for history enthusiasts and casual travelers alike. This charming hotel is surrounded by well-preserved historic structures and is just a stone's throw from beautiful churches and the principal old port. Its central position allows guests to easily explore the old town and other historic sites within walking distance.
The hotel itself is housed in an authentic historical building that combines old-world charm with modern comforts. The rooms, praised for their comfort and cleanliness, maintain the characterful historical tradition of the area. Walking around the nearby historic places and old town from this location is a delightful experience for those who appreciate the rich past of this vibrant city.
Guests have highlighted the friendly and courteous staff who enhance the warm atmosphere of the hotel. The breakfast, served daily, receives commendation for its quality and variety. Overall, Hotel Helvetia offers a well-maintained, historically charming stay in a very central location, making it an ideal base for anyone looking to explore the historical fabric of Genoa.
Dog Friendly
Hotel Helvetia stands out for its commendable dog-friendly facilities and policies. Guests appreciate the hotel for allowing them to bring their pets with some rooms, such as the quadruple room, being particularly accommodating for dogs. An added bonus is the provision of food for pets, making it a thoughtful choice for those traveling with their furry companions. Overall, the hotel is described as perfect for dogs, earning praise for its welcoming environment for pets.
No, Hotel Helvetia doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Hotel Helvetia.
Yes, Hotel Helvetia welcomes dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Hotel Helvetia.