Aug 3, 2019, 7:37 am
Westin Excelsior - Florence, Italy [Master Thread]
Jun 24, 2006, 3:48 pm
#62
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Central New Jersey
Programs: UA-Platimum 2 MM, HH-Gold, MR-Lifetime Gold, Hyatt-Discoverist
Posts: 6,238
Have not come in from the airport, but from the main train station it is a very quick cab ride (e 10?) or a 10 min walk-- very easily done, unless you have a lot of luggage.
Jun 24, 2006, 7:48 pm
#63
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Capo Beach, California
Posts: 314
Thanks, that helps. The bus takes you from the airport to the main train station (but there might be other stops). If it is only 10 min walk, that is doable, the luggage follows me wherever I go so it's not a problem.
Jun 25, 2006, 9:16 am
#65
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: south of WAS DC
Posts: 10,131
Originally Posted by Da5id
Well, here's another question. Generically, when you take the train in Europe from an airport to your destination city, is it easy to get around with luggage? I kind of get this mental picture of what it would be like on the Long Island Railroad with golf clubs, suitcase and laptop. Please tell me it's not like that .....
Most train stations are pretty easy. some places are very difficult. Bologna requires down two flights of stairs, and then back up. if the train changes tracks, it is down and back up again. Venice has a large set of steps out front. use the handicapped exit. transfer at the french-italian border requires down and back up again.
If you are as old as I am, and travel with as much luggage as my wife does, find a porter(except in Venice....way too expensive)
Sep 2, 2006, 3:43 pm
#66
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Chicago
Programs: Amex Centurion
Posts: 9
Westin Excelsior Florence
I was going to stay at the Westin in Florence this month and I wanted the concierge to find some tix to Pearl Jam, who was playing 25-30 minutes from Florence. I don't often use the concierges, however I felt this was a perfect time, and an easy enough request.
1st response from the Head Concierge was he has no contacts to get tickets there. Keep trying.
After a follow-up e-mail the 2nd response recommended to "go to the concert the day of and try and buy from the scalped market."
I contacted Starwood and the manager of the hotel followed up with a suggestion that I should "continue checking on the ticketing website b/c more may be available".
I followed back up with the Concierge again with the repeated request that as I am not there currently if he could find prices for me from the "scalped market" or if there was a broker he could get speak to or if there was another concierge he could speak to, such as at the Grand Hotel. His response "i do not have any contacts there".
Here's the kicker, I contacted American Express Concierge and the woman found tickets for me within five hours.
As the Westin Excelsior is a Category 5 I expected a certain level of service. In addition I know they are considered a top hotel in Italy, if not Europe. I have heard of concierges at top hotels getting helicopters for guests or handling other exotic requests. Concert tickets? Guess it was too much to ask for. The topper on this whole thing is I sent an e-mail to the Park Lane London concierge for a follow-up on some concert tickets there. It's been six days with no reply. While I love Starwood US I had to cancel my 4 stays/14 nights with an included complaint to Starwood & the manager (not that it will do anything ).
1st response from the Head Concierge was he has no contacts to get tickets there. Keep trying.
After a follow-up e-mail the 2nd response recommended to "go to the concert the day of and try and buy from the scalped market."
I contacted Starwood and the manager of the hotel followed up with a suggestion that I should "continue checking on the ticketing website b/c more may be available".
I followed back up with the Concierge again with the repeated request that as I am not there currently if he could find prices for me from the "scalped market" or if there was a broker he could get speak to or if there was another concierge he could speak to, such as at the Grand Hotel. His response "i do not have any contacts there".
Here's the kicker, I contacted American Express Concierge and the woman found tickets for me within five hours.
As the Westin Excelsior is a Category 5 I expected a certain level of service. In addition I know they are considered a top hotel in Italy, if not Europe. I have heard of concierges at top hotels getting helicopters for guests or handling other exotic requests. Concert tickets? Guess it was too much to ask for. The topper on this whole thing is I sent an e-mail to the Park Lane London concierge for a follow-up on some concert tickets there. It's been six days with no reply. While I love Starwood US I had to cancel my 4 stays/14 nights with an included complaint to Starwood & the manager (not that it will do anything
).
Sep 2, 2006, 5:33 pm
#67
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Queens, NY
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, OW Emerald, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,066
I totally agree with you on this one. As a concierge for a top hotel, one of your duties is to have "connects" to get your guests into most publically accessible events, and sometimes even those that are not for the general public. My honest opinion is they really did not want to bother with your request for whatever reason.
Sep 3, 2006, 11:48 pm
#69
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
I've stayed there. "Great" hotel? Not based on the OP's experience.
The request for such a highly-rated hotel is very reasonable. Failure to obtain tickets knocks the hotel down serveral levels. Period.
It is not a great hotel. It is an "ok " hotel.
The request for such a highly-rated hotel is very reasonable. Failure to obtain tickets knocks the hotel down serveral levels. Period.
It is not a great hotel. It is an "ok " hotel.
Sep 4, 2006, 10:17 am
#70
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: yyj
Programs: Alaska Airlines MVP, Fairmont FPC Platinum, Starwood Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 755
Originally Posted by Always Flyin
I've stayed there. "Great" hotel? Not based on the OP's experience.
The request for such a highly-rated hotel is very reasonable. Failure to obtain tickets knocks the hotel down serveral levels. Period.
It is not a great hotel. It is an "ok " hotel.
The request for such a highly-rated hotel is very reasonable. Failure to obtain tickets knocks the hotel down serveral levels. Period.
It is not a great hotel. It is an "ok " hotel.
I agree that the service is just "OK" but that is the norm for Westins.
At 200 euros a night it is good value.
Sep 5, 2006, 8:13 pm
#71
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 568
When I was there last year the Concierge made a big deal about getting two tickets for the Uffizi Gallery as it was sold out online. He got them, but at a premium ... yet the day we went there were people buing them right there.
Next time, i'll stay across the square at the Grand Hotel...another SPG. Looked great - different.
Next time, i'll stay across the square at the Grand Hotel...another SPG. Looked great - different.
Jun 14, 2007, 12:56 am
#72
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: check swarm
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A meal at Osteria Cinghiale Bianco is an absolute must. This restaurant is very close to the hotel and probably the BEST food I have ever eaten! Be sure to have your concierge book a table for you, because it is very popular and we had to wait even WITH a reservation. We saw people being turned away without reservations.
The atmosphere is typically Florentine and the owner is very friendly. Very reasonably priced – we paid €116 for two people, for an outstanding three course meal plus bottled water, bread, dessert and coffee, and price included a €40 bottle of wine. There are plenty of less expensive choices on the wine list.
The atmosphere is typically Florentine and the owner is very friendly. Very reasonably priced – we paid €116 for two people, for an outstanding three course meal plus bottled water, bread, dessert and coffee, and price included a €40 bottle of wine. There are plenty of less expensive choices on the wine list.
I second the Osteria Cinghiale Bianco suggestion, with the caveat that you order bottled wine and not the house wine. (yes, we're snobs!) It's a very nice walk from the Westin.
There are a few great casual wine bars around the corner from the Westin's entrance, there are on the street called Borgo Ognissanti.
As a rule, the further you get from the Westin & Duomo, the less expensive restaurants will be.
Aug 23, 2007, 10:52 am
#73
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA 1K, AA 2MM, Bonvoy LT Plt, Mets fan
Posts: 5,073
Award stay, August 2007 - 3 nights in an upgraded room award.
We had a 1st floor room, facing the Arno. But, we were right over the bar, with outdoor tables - and Italians stay out drinking later at night than I care to. I had a hard time sleeping without Ambien, but Mrs CO FF didn't notice any issue. YMMV.
The biggest problem we had here was that the room had no electric outlet with 110 volt current. Fortunately, my shaver was charged enough to last the 3 days -- but my Blackberry wasn't. So, I spent an hour+ in the "business center" using the free internet, while my bberry recharged (enough to get thru the next 2 days) via the USB cable I carry.
The concierge recommended what turned out to be our favorite restaurant of the trip, Fiore del Acqua (i think that's the name), on the south side of the Arno not too far from the hotel. Otherwise, we didn't use them for anything.
The hotel offers "points for stuff", which we used (6,000 points to get the breakfast buffet for two, on the morning we were taking the train to Rome). Nice, filling breakfast - a mix of food for both American & Italian tastes.
My wife says this was her favorite of the trip; I preferred the Eden. We both put them ahead of the Danieli, fwiw.
We had a 1st floor room, facing the Arno. But, we were right over the bar, with outdoor tables - and Italians stay out drinking later at night than I care to. I had a hard time sleeping without Ambien, but Mrs CO FF didn't notice any issue. YMMV.
The biggest problem we had here was that the room had no electric outlet with 110 volt current. Fortunately, my shaver was charged enough to last the 3 days -- but my Blackberry wasn't. So, I spent an hour+ in the "business center" using the free internet, while my bberry recharged (enough to get thru the next 2 days) via the USB cable I carry.
The concierge recommended what turned out to be our favorite restaurant of the trip, Fiore del Acqua (i think that's the name), on the south side of the Arno not too far from the hotel. Otherwise, we didn't use them for anything.
The hotel offers "points for stuff", which we used (6,000 points to get the breakfast buffet for two, on the morning we were taking the train to Rome). Nice, filling breakfast - a mix of food for both American & Italian tastes.
My wife says this was her favorite of the trip; I preferred the Eden. We both put them ahead of the Danieli, fwiw.
Aug 23, 2007, 11:22 am
#74
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Miami Beach, FL
Programs: SPG Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold, AA Gold, Delta Silver, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 138
During our recent stay at this hotel, I took serious issue with the concierge's restaurant recommendation. The night we arrived we asked for a local restaurant and were sent to the absolute definition of a tourist trap. The concierge claimed that the staff all ate there as well as many locals. There was not one Italian customer in this restaurant, nor do I believe there ever had been. Needless to say, we did not ask for any further recommendations.
We did love Santo Bevitore which is very close to the hotel across the river. The gelato at the place right across the river was great as well.
Couldn't you just plug your electronics in using a plug adapter?
We did love Santo Bevitore which is very close to the hotel across the river. The gelato at the place right across the river was great as well.
Couldn't you just plug your electronics in using a plug adapter?