Hotel Madison, Cattolica

a well positioned clean and friendly hotel good food good staff good holiday

This holiday did not start well. When we booked last August the flight to Rimini was a day flight. When we received our tickets two weeks before departure the flight had been changed to a night flight not returning to the UK until 2.45a.m. We were not very happy at this prospect. We decided that this change would not spoil our holiday and when we arrived at the Madison (at 1.30a.m)and were given our room key we were delighted with it, spacious, airy and facing the sea. The rest of the holiday followed the same pattern, the food was excellent,the service first class in fact we could not find fault with it in any way. All the staff were friendly and helpful.Cattolica is a lovely family resort, clean and well kept. It really buzzed at night with lots of families strolling on the prom and in the squares. We never felt threatened when we were out in the evening. The weather was a bit mixed but we really enjoyed our holiday. San Marino was a bit tacky.

We visited first in 1998, and have returned year on year at varying times. 10 years on, whenever we visit, we see guests who have been ther5e bwefore. Sadly We still only speak English,but the guests concerned are from all over Europe. We can't all be wrong!!

Having read previous reviews, didn't know what to expect. In their way, they're all right. The hotel is not 4 star by England's standards but does have the requirements to be an Italian one. Rooms have air con, a fridge, a hairdryer and satellite TV, although we could only pick up Eurpsport in English. Our rooms were of average size, the shower cubicle was tiny and the room was very pink. However, the room was spotlessly clean - and was cleaned every day - there was plenty of wardrobe space, plenty of mirrors and comfy beds. Since we only used the room for sleeping and showering it was more than adequate. We did get dropped off at the back of the hotel but this is because the road at the front is a dead end and coaches can't turn. It took about two minutes to walk to the front so no big deal. The pool was partially shaded but the shade moved around during the day and we found it was nice to have some shade at times due to the heat. There is a car park next door but its screened off with frosted glass. I only found out that it was there when my kids' ball went over the top. There was a shortage of sun beds but isn't there always? There are tons on the beach, which really is a 5 minute walk away, but these cost 10 Euros a day for two beds and a brolly. Quite pricey if you've gone for a fortnight and there are five of you!! The food was good and plentiful. Four courses as described before. We found the main courses to be a bit boring but when we ate out we didn't find anything better. As for the staff, again both accounts are true. The reception staff, chamber maids, barmen and waiters were all very courteous and friendly. They don't all speak English but they do their best to understand and give you what you want. The rest, who we guessed were the owners or the owner's family, didn't look the happiest of bunnies. They seemed to find it quite difficult even to raise a smile. But since we had no dealings with them it made no difference to us. However, on our last day they were all smiles, gave us complimentary drinks with lunch, a bottle of decent wine with dinner, and loads of lollipops for the kids. We all thoroughly enjoyed our holiday and would definitely go back. There was plenty to do or nothing to do, as you wish. We made lots of friends at the hotel and no-one we spoke to was complaining. A big bonus was that there were no mosquitos. Highly recommended.

The only thing we disliked about our holiday was the moaning of some of the guests. Italy is beautiful place full of culture, good fine and wine, a love of football and family values. If you want bangers and mash and karoke dont come to italy and moan they dont serve it and they don't entertain you. Some of the waiters don't speak English but yes we are in Italy. Cattolica is a beautiful small town, with a beach, a port, shopping centre and great local bars. The hotel is clean, friendly and serves italian cuisine to a good quality. It is family run and they will help you with all your requests such as they organised a birthday cake for my boyfriend from the award winning local chocolate shop free of charge and two free drinks. The hotel has a great location, serves great pasta, mussels, olives and the prosseco's not to bad either. The Madison is truely italian.

We read previous reviews and thought they were fussy but when we were dropped off at the fish market and told to walk through the back of the hotel unaccompanied we wondered if we had made a mistake coming to this hotel. Our first room was tiny - two chairs on the balcony and no room for a table. We had booked a bath but given a shower. We complained on arrival and were given a larger room with bath after four days - still basic for a four star but better than the previous room. The food was not up to standard - chicken and chips had three chips, breakfast was continental buffet style. When a particular sweet was ended at dinner there was never another to replace it. The staff were not helpful, the pool had a car park next to it with private accommodation overlooking it, laundry facilities were the local launderette. When we were there about 98% of people were complaining. My advice - don't go if you want a four star hotel

Have just got back (Sept 06) from this lovely hotel. Before we went we read a couple of reviews - they must have gone to a different hotel from us! We found all the staff to be very friendy. The food at dinner was so good that even though we were on half board we would go back to the snack bar for lunch each day! For dinner there was always four courses - 1st course a multitude of salads etc, 2nd was a pasta dish (spaghetti carbonara and lasagne to die for!) and the third was either meat or fish - or omelette if you are really fussy. After that there was a choice of about 10 - 15 sweets! The rooms were clean, the staff couldn't do enough for you and the resort is bustling. Loads to do and see! If you don't enjoy Catollica I feel sorry for you. Great holiday, can't wait to go to Italy again!

FOOD was good. PERSONEL was nice. ROOM was clean but they need some other colour than pink at the wall. POOL was big enough and it was good that they had a pool for child too. I will go back. (july,2006)

I have just returned from a 2 week stay at the hotel Madison and already I can't wait to go back. I have travelled all over Europe, but thanks to the hospitality of this family run hotel, from now on I'm sticking with Italy. The staff were extremely friendly and made every effort to see to our every need. I have a 10 month old daughter and would not hesitate to recommend this hotel to families. Our apartment was clean and well equipped. Not that we did any cooking, as the food was out of this world. Lunch and dinner consisted of 4 delicious courses, with waiter service. I'm still having withdrawl symptoms for the profiteroles! The position of the hotel was perfect; near the beach and a pleasant stroll away from the hustle and bustle of Cattolica. Trains and coaches leave the town for such places as Rome, Venice and Florence if you fancy a bit of culture. There is also a waterpark and several theme parks nearby. It was impossible to get bored here. I will be back next year for definite, hoping to meet up with the many friends I have made. Ciao!

Our arrival at this hotel was not auspicious as the queue to check in was the worst we have ever encountered. Entering from the unattractive rear of the hotel by the fish market you stand in line in what is little more than a corridor which serves as lounge, tv area, bar and reception. The staff on reception can best be described as surly. Having booked a sea view room, we were at first shown a completely unacceptable room at the back - however it was obvious that they were not really expecting us to accept it and shortly afterwards came up with the sea view room as booked. Total check in time was easily half an hour. The meals were good but it sometimes took a long time to be served. Other four star hotels have superior, fresh food and some of the restaurant staff appeared rude and disdainful towards British guests. The breaksfasts were poor. The breakfast room resembled an overcrowded canteen with no fresh tea or coffee, only machines, very little choice and a paucity of fresh fruit. The swimming pool area was the most disappointing as it is mostly in the shade due to its position between 3 buildings. There was a lack of sunbeds which had usually all been taken by breakfast and in general the hotel seemed to lack the necessary facilities and staff for the number of guests. There is no way that this hotel should be rated as a 4 star - it is really closer to a 2 star in comparison with others we have stayed at. On paper the facilities are there - e.g. air conditioning, tv, mini bar, gym, bike hire etc. but the general ambiance is not what you would expect from a family run hotel. In common with a number of other guests we spoke to we were disappointed but not half as much as those who stayed in the self catering part. If you want to go to Cattolica I am sure there is better value for money but be aware it is a large town, with lots of tatty souvenir shops and you are very likely to be pestered on the beach by persistent, tatoo artists, masseurs, bracelet sellers etc.etc.