Grand Hotel Angiolieri in Vico Equense

Review of Grand Hotel Angiolieri (Vico Equense)

If anyone books this hotel expecting a five-star experience, brace yourself for a shock. Unless this is the new global standard for luxury, I honestly have no idea how this establishment qualifies. I’ve traveled extensively around the world, and I can say with confidence: this is not five-star hospitality — not even close.

The biggest issue here is false advertising. The hotel leans heavily on the Amalfi Coast name to lure in unsuspecting travelers, but in reality, it’s located in VICO EQUENSE — a place with nothing memorable to see or do. If you want the real Amalfi experience, go to Positano, Amalfi Town, or even Sorrento — anywhere but here.

The rooms? They feel more like a damp winter cottage in the north than a coastal Italian retreat. The pool? Permanently occupied, chaotic, and far from relaxing. Standards? Practically nonexistent for the level they claim to be.

We realized quickly this was not for us and requested a refund for the unused nights so we could salvage the trip elsewhere. They flat-out refused. We didn’t even stay one night, checked out immediately, and they still charged us the full amount — about €1,000 stolen for zero nights stayed. Let me repeat that: they kept €1,000 without us spending a single night there.

The staff seemed terrified of the owner, who herself couldn’t even be bothered to address the situation. Rude, dismissive, and utterly unprofessional. At one point, she literally stuck her foot out when we arrived until we looked at her — hardly the gesture of a welcoming host.

The whole atmosphere is off. Dirty, unpleasant, and absolutely the opposite of what you’d expect from Italy’s famed hospitality. The fact that people leave five-star reviews is laughable — I even saw someone mention being offered $5 for a five-star review, which suddenly explains a lot.

This place is a ripoff, plain and simple. A complete waste of money, energy, and precious holiday time. If there were an option to give negative stars, I absolutely would.

Final word: Anyone with taste, class, or the desire to create lasting Italian memories should avoid this hotel — and VICO EQUENSE — at all costs. Save your money, protect your trip, and choose literally anywhere else.

PS to compare check out my other reviews.

*This is a response to the hotel reply:

Follow-Up Response:
Thank you for your reply. However, I feel it’s important to clarify several points for future travelers:

Refund Policy vs. Reality:
I fully understand cancellation policies. The issue was not simply “changing my mind,” but discovering that the hotel did not meet the five-star quality it advertises. We checked in, saw the reality, and immediately checked out without staying a single night. Keeping nearly €1,000 for zero nights stayed may follow your policy, but it certainly doesn’t reflect true hospitality.

Owner & Staff Conduct:
Your staff told us the owner was not available, when in fact she was right next door and chose not to engage. That lack of honesty and willingness to address concerns only made the situation worse. The tone from staff was condescending, not accommodating — which is the opposite of what one expects from a five-star property.

Our Behavior:
We were visibly upset because of the situation, but to describe us as “aggressive” or “intimidating” is simply false. We asked direct questions and expected accountability. Writing in the guest book that the place is a ripoff was not an insult but a truthful statement — and in line with our obligation to warn other travelers.

Ignored Concerns:
Your reply avoids every specific issue raised in my review — misleading advertising, room quality, cleanliness, overcrowded pool, and lack of professionalism. Instead, you focus solely on the refund policy and attempt to discredit me personally.

My review stands as a warning:
this establishment does not live up to its claims. Future guests deserve to know exactly what they are paying for.

This hotel was a complete disappointment and nothing like what’s advertised. Far from five-star standards, it felt more like a dated three-star at best.
The atmosphere was low-class, and the reception staff were rude, unhelpful, and clearly untrained. The owner didn’t bother to greet guests, ignored our requests, and couldn’t even communicate properly in English — hardly what one expects at a so-called luxury property.
The pool was a joke: cramped, narrow, and always packed. Not a single free sunbed, despite the glossy pictures online. The “view” they boast about is unimpressive at best.
Rooms were tiny, dark, and poorly designed. No proper ceiling lights, no sense of space — it felt like being stuck in a mountain chalet rather than a seaside retreat on the Amalfi Coast.
Overall, this place is false advertising in its purest form. Don’t be fooled by the five-star label; it’s not luxury, it’s not welcoming, and it’s not worth your money.

I don’t know how they got such a high rating. Rooms had odor. Nothing special. The photos are from 25 years ago. I don’t recommend