Hotel Premiere Pool & Resort

Cortesia staff

Extremely disappointing and nothing like we expected

We stayed at Hotel Première Pool & Resort for 7 nights as three girls, and unfortunately the only genuinely good part of the holiday was being there with my friends. We booked this hotel because it was advertised as being in Naples, so we expected to be reasonably close to the city and able to explore Naples during our stay. In reality, the hotel is around 45 minutes to an hour from Naples, in an extremely isolated area. This was not made clear when booking and completely changed the experience we expected to have.

Getting to the hotel was a nightmare. We flew into Salerno Airport, which is very small and incredibly slow. It took us nearly an hour just to collect our luggage and get out. We had been told our transfer driver would meet us at arrivals, but instead he was waiting in the car park. We had to contact the hotel to find out where he was, and because of the language barrier, it took quite a while to actually locate him. The journey from Salerno Airport to the hotel was around 1 hour 20 minutes.

Getting a transfer was also incredibly expensive. We tried taxis, Uber and several transfer companies, but either they didn't speak English, didn't respond, or quoted ridiculous prices — one company quoted around £600. We eventually had to arrange transfers directly through the hotel, which cost us €400 for three people for both to and from the airport.

When we arrived, check-in wasn't for another two hours, although the receptionist did allow us to leave our bags and use the pool area while we waited. We were surprised to find that swimming caps were compulsory in the pool. This had not been made clear when we booked. Even with our hair tied up and without putting our heads underwater, we were told to leave the pool because we weren't wearing caps. We also hadn't realised that the pool was open to the public, rather than being exclusively for hotel guests.

On our first day, we tried to get lunch at the hotel but were told we couldn't because all the tables were booked until 2pm. As a result, we didn't actually eat until later that day.

The room was another disappointment. We were given a physical key rather than the key cards that appeared to be used for most of the other rooms, and we believe we may have been given an accessible/disabled room despite none of us being disabled or having booked one. The doors in our room were all fire exit door with the massive handle bars. It was also a struggle to open the door with the key as it didn’t work at first so the cleaner had to show us how to use it and then when we got in we then couldn’t lock it and she had to show us how to lock it too. There was a double bed and a single bed, and unfortunately I was given the single bed, which had an uncomfortable mattress and was missing three bed slats. The safe also didn't work because it had no batteries, meaning we had nowhere secure to keep our money or passports. The balcony overlooked the hotel car park, so there wasn't really a view.

The bathroom was particularly poor. The toilet had no toilet seat, making it extremely uncomfortable to use. The bidet didn't look particularly clean either. The shower was weak, didn't get properly warm, and wasn't height-adjustable. I'm 5'9" and was too tall for it, meaning I had to bend down to wash my hair, which became very uncomfortable, especially combined with the uncomfortable bed. With three girls with thick hair, the weak shower also meant washing our hair took a very long time.

The toiletries were also provided in little packets rather than normal miniature bottles, which made them awkward to use.

We were half board, but dinner was another major issue. On our first evening there were only around four options, with the choices mainly being seafood or a chicken dish with white wine that didn't look appetising. There was also a pasta option. The food appeared to cost extra despite us already paying for half board. We ended up walking to the Burger King around three minutes away instead.

Thankfully, we were eventually allowed to change our half-board arrangement so that we could have breakfast and lunch instead of breakfast and dinner. This was probably the best decision we made because we didn't want to keep eating the hotel dinners. Most evenings we ended up ordering takeaway pizzas to the room. One takeaway company didn't even deliver our food, so we had to order from another company instead.

The location was probably the biggest problem. The hotel is in the middle of nowhere, with very little around it. There was a supermarket within walking distance, but that's about it. We were also very uncomfortable walking around the area. Cars would slow down or honk as they passed us, and we felt that we were constantly being stared at. As three young girls, this made us uncomfortable and meant we didn't feel particularly confident exploring the surrounding area.

We ended up spending most evenings in our room and bought snacks and drinks from the supermarket.

The staff were also a mixed experience. There was a significant language barrier throughout our stay and, unfortunately, several members of staff came across as quite rude or unhelpful. The one staff member who really stood out positively was the lady who helped us change our half-board arrangement and who served us at the pool bar. She was genuinely lovely and helpful, and she was probably the highlight of the hotel staff.

Breakfast was okay, but nothing special. There was fruit, croissants, cake and salad. The sausages were more like the cheap British tinned hot-dog-style sausages, and the bacon was extremely thin and salty. The eggs were okay on our first morning but were awful the following day and contained a lot of eggshell. I ate some and subsequently felt unwell.

We were also disappointed with the hotel's excursions and transport into Naples. There was a Pompeii trip advertised, but it would have cost €250 for the three of us. We were told we could get a shuttle into Naples, but the shuttle left at around 7:30am, before breakfast, and the last shuttle back from the train station was around 3pm.This meant that after getting the shuttle to the station and then the train into Naples, we wouldn't actually have a full day in the city.

We also read reports about people having difficulty getting back to the hotel because of problems with the return shuttle, which made us even more reluctant to attempt it. Uber was also incredibly expensive, we were looking at close to £200 for an Uber to Naples, so this wasn't a realistic option either. We were also told that there were creepy men that lurked at the station which made us uncomfortable to go.

We had also been led to believe there was a private beach, but this actually involved around a 20-minute walk. We considered booking sunbeds for a day, but the beach only allowed bookings for four people rather than three, which would have cost us around €55. We then tried to organise a beach restaurant instead so we could spend the day there, but the lack of English information and huge language barrier made it extremely difficult. Websites were mostly in Italian, contact details were limited and menus were either unavailable or expensive. In the end, we gave up and stayed around the hotel pool.

We also spoke to several other British guests who had booked through Loveholidays and they shared many of the same frustrations we had about the location and the overall experience.

Finally, Salerno Airport itself was incredibly slow when we left. Considering how small the airport is, the process took a very long time. Passport control was after security, which we found unusual, and the system went down while I was being processed, meaning my friends got through while I was left waiting. Our flight was also delayed by around an hour. There is very little at the airport, essentially a small café, vending machines and a pharmacy, so there isn't much to do while waiting.

Overall, we would not recommend this hotel if you are booking it expecting to stay in Naples. The biggest issue for us was that we specifically booked it because it was advertised as being in Naples, only to discover that we were actually staying a long way outside the city with very limited transport options. The expensive transfers, isolated location, compulsory swimming caps, public pool, poor room facilities, uncomfortable bed, disappointing bathroom, limited food options and language barriers all added up to a very frustrating week.

We tried our best to make the most of it and we did have fun because we were together, but that was genuinely the main positive of the holiday.

If you're booking this hotel through Loveholidays, I would strongly recommend checking the exact location and transport options yourself before booking, rather than assuming "Naples" means you will actually be staying in Naples.

La piscina, excelente. Relax y Calma a 20 minutos de la caótica Nápoles

Lovely hotel and pool (reserve your beds on sundays), very clean, staff are happy, friendly, helpful and kind. House keeping daily and they do a tremendous job.

Breakfast is generally good (eggs, bacon and continential) some days slightly less food and bad scrambled egg. Coffee machine is temperamental. No tea/coffee facilities in hotel room.

Extremely expensive taxis and excursions arranged by hotel (also over charged us on a short journey to train station which we had no choice than to pay - quoted 50 euros but on checkout charged 80 euros for 2 adults/4 to kids to get to and from train station 3.6km away). 600 euros for Pompei (entrance not included) and Sorrento return.

Location was dissapointing as we wanted to use as a base to experience italy.

Limited restaurants within walking distance, dodgy pavements/overgrown bushes covering path, no pathway or broken concrete. No bars around. Supermarket 7 min walk away (unfriendly staff). No hotel bar/entertainment on an evening.

Beach 15/20 minute walk (uneasy pavements), must pay for sunbeds, cannot set up on sand.

Overall, the hotel is very good, but the location and amenities, are not great.

Where do I begin. Hotel was lovely clean and very comfortable. The cleaning staff exceptional, professional and helpful. Reception staff very helpful but very pushy on promoting their Hawaiian Night. Always pushing to make money and pushing hotel transfers. Never ever explain the cheapest for the customer only most expensive. For example we where offered trip to Pompeii as a couple for €600 with Sorrento added in said too expensive drop to €500 without hesitation while a group of 8 got same trip at €500 for the whole lot of them. So if 2 separate couple went it was €500+ each. Prices seem different for each individual group. I got to Pompeii privately for €150 for an outside taxi firm. First day we arrived before booking in we went to pool area we got a drink I was short changed which could have been a mistake. I explain I’m Irish and we use Euros in Ireland was mistaken for English I think. Other that that pool staff and pool area is 10/10. Towels supplied was a massive bonus.
Now location wise hotel is 0/10 it is Varcaturo no Naples miles from Naples €90 in Hotel transfers or if you go via Licola Trainstation at about €3 train ticket and €5 per person before 3pm and €10 after per person which you are never told about only for I done some research I found this out. Hotel transfers are a nightmare done per person. There are 4 restaurants close to the hotel 1 Burger King one Asian restaurant and 2 local cuisine restaurants and that is it. There is a supermarket and an Asian store Xin Xin which is brilliant sells everything at a great price. We visited each local restaurant on a number of occasions and got boring after the 3rd visit each. There is no chemist in the area which vital and I was shocked had to go to Naples to get one. Then the hotels says about party and beach which is not true. Yes the beach is 0.5 mile from the hotel an 8 minute walk but the roads and footpaths are a nightmare. One night we arrived at the beach club at 7.20pm and got refused entry told the beach was closed. Yet when we walked away others got in. Felt we got judged at the gate and refused entry even though we where dressed up to go in. So the next night we made it about our business to get down early we arrived to 5pm got in got a drink then told its closing at 7pm. We questioned the staff they said there was a private party and we could go to Naturale club next door which we did. I found the bar excessively expensive for anything other than a beer. Bottle was €5 and vodka and mixture €12 temple bar prices in Dublin. I asked for a rose wine said don’t do glass but can get a bottle at €45. Mental money.
Now that is the night life. We ended up spending a night in Naples City centre and prices nowhere near like Varcaturo.
So on one occasion we decide to have a drink at the pool after 6pm staff said after 6pm to payment must go on the room. So when I went to check out was expecting a bill of 32€ but ended up paying €43. When I sat down at look at the bill there was a bar bill of €11 which we never got on our 2nd night. Bar and Pool bar are separate. For our holiday I use cash for my transactions and don’t charge to the room only exception was when I was told my pool bar staff that I had to on one occasion. When I questioned it after I had paid was told the €11 for a corona and vodka no mixer. Which was never the case and as I paid the bill they cannot refund. They then had the cheek to take €3 out of my account when going though the airport for a can of coke we took while have a dispute over €11 bill we did not give. After what should have been a great holiday ends very sour. Hotel is beautiful pool area and staff superb, but its is not Naples and extortionate travel and transfer costs leave it just a spend spend spend rip off. Also had no “English” tea bags after day 3 of 10 days. Also had lunch by the pool once two wraps took over 70 minutes to receive when the order was place.
I will not be returning to the area again. RIP off Hotel.

Pulizia, ordine, organizzazione perfetta
Personale molto gentile

The hotel rooms were basic but nice with great air conditioning. Great shower. It was a bit cramped as we had 3 and there was a camp bed blocking the balcony door but it was extremely comfortable. The breakfast was ok, but the coffee machine kept breaking. The pool area was gorgeous and no issues getting sunbeds and a parasol. They also provided pool towels which was great. At the weekend we had to book a sunbed as there seemed to be day passes for non guests. On the Saturday they had a singer all day who was far too loud. The food ordered from the bar was so slow and not great quality. Drinks were reasonably priced. Our main issue with the hotel was the price of ‘taxis’ and also availability. There are no regular taxis in the area, just the hotel shuttle. They say it’s 300-700 metres to the beach, it seemed further in the heat and you had to walk out on to a busy road as the footpaths were overgrown. The charged us €10pp to drive that distance one way. there was 9 of us) €180 return for a taxi to Pozzouli. €80 return to go to the nearest shopping centre. The beach is lovely and clean with warm water and a few beach clubs that we ate and drank in. There is a small local supermarket about 10 mins walk. Great bar and restaurant next door with great staff. Overall a good experience but not as centrally located as I thought, no little local shops to potter around! We had to get a car to most things and the costs mounted up over the 8 days. Would I go back? Probably not…but more because of the location than the hotel itself.

Le directeur très gentille et à l’écoute.

La struttura è accogliente e la zona piscina è ben strutturata

Nice hotel, great pool, kind people who work in hotel. We have little problem with pillows but the rooms are very comfortable and nice

Le personnel est vraiment au top. Le ménage est parfaitement bien fait. La piscine est top