Albergo delle Rose, a seafront hotel in Bagnara Calabra
Albergo delle Rose is a three-star hotel on the seafront in Bagnara Calabra, Calabria, looking over the Strait of Messina and close to the beach. Rooms are simple and dated, some with a sea view balcony. It suits anyone who wants a good location and a fair price, not modern design or comfort.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Albergo delle Rose.
Where Albergo delle Rose is and how to get there
Albergo delle Rose is in the centre of Bagnara Calabra, on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, facing the Strait of Messina. The beach is 70 metres away, so you walk down to the sea without needing the car.
Travelling by train is easy. One guest who arrived that way says it took about 12 minutes from the station to the hotel. If you are flying, the nearest airport is Reggio Calabria, 36 km away, and the hotel offers an airport shuttle for a fee. If you come by car, the central location puts you close to the evening promenade and the bars and restaurants of the town.
What the rooms are like
The rooms are air-conditioned, with a private bathroom, free WiFi, a wardrobe, a desk and a TV. Some have a balcony with a sea view. The hotel is entirely non-smoking, a detail I always like to check for.
The style is that of an old-fashioned three-star. More than one guest mentions dated furniture and walls with "too vintage" decoration, and asks for a bit of renovation. Some take it in their stride, because cleanliness and price make up for it. Another guest appreciates the bathroom, with a comfortable shower, soaps and a hairdryer.
The room with a sea view is the one that gets the most praise. One guest calls it spectacular, with a small balcony over the seafront and no noise. If you can choose, I would aim for that one.
What guests say
On Google, Albergo delle Rose has a rating of 3.3 out of 79 reviews. It is a low average, but it hides two very different sides, and it is worth reading it that way.
- The staff. Many guests describe them as kind, helpful and discreet. One says they drove him to the station at no extra cost.
- The location. Close to the sea, the pedestrian centre and the evening promenade. This is the point almost everyone agrees on.
- The cleanliness. It comes up often in positive comments, even when the room is dated.
- The criticisms. Old furniture, no fridge in the room, air conditioning that is hard to control, and a breakfast that some find too basic.
The harshest one-star reviews mainly talk about small triple rooms and a building that, in the writer's view, needs renovating.
What to know before booking
This is not a luxury hotel and it does not pretend to be. If you choose it for the location and the price, you are unlikely to be disappointed. If you want modern furniture or extra services, look elsewhere.
| What works | What to know |
|---|---|
| Beach 70 metres away and the centre within walking distance | Dated furniture, a very vintage style |
| Sea view balcony in some rooms | No fridge in the room, according to several guests |
| Kind and helpful staff | Air conditioning not very flexible, noisy for some |
| Price considered good value by several guests | Simple breakfast, and not included for some |
Three practical tips. First, if you book a triple, write in advance and ask how many beds there are and how big the room is, because one guest found a room much smaller than the one they had seen online. Second, check whether breakfast is included in the rate. Third, ask for a room with a sea view balcony, which is the real strong point.
Who it is suited to
I would recommend Albergo delle Rose in Bagnara Calabra to those who travel light and spend most of the day out. It suits people touring Calabria by train, anyone wanting an affordable base by the sea, and anyone who appreciates staff who go out of their way.
I would avoid it if you are travelling with a child and need space, if you want air conditioning you can always control, or if a generous breakfast is essential for you. With an average of 3.3, it is a place that divides opinion, and it is better to know that before you go.
What to do in Bagnara Calabra and nearby
Bagnara Calabra is at its best for the sea and the evenings. There is the seafront promenade, street food and pubs, and at sunset one guest reports seeing Stromboli, Lipari and Vulcano. Among the curiosities, there is a giant bench, the Big Bench. A word of warning: according to one guest, the town's port has no ferry links to the Aeolian Islands.
By car or by shuttle you reach Reggio Calabria. According to the hotel's description, the National Archaeological Museum with the Riace Bronzes is 31 km away and the Aragonese Castle is 33 km away.
If you are planning a longer route along the strait, you might want a second stop, for example Ace Rooms Vsg in Villa San Giovanni or Eolian Port B&B in Milazzo, in Sicily. I only know their names and locations, so look at their pages before you decide.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
