I stayed at both properties in June 2010 and liked the HGI a little better. It's a short walk to the bus station and more convenient because we weren't tied to the shuttle schedule. Also, I thought the staff at the HGI were friendlier and we had a very nice room. Breakfast was good, but there is no Exec. Lounge. This is definitely more of a business hotel.
As for the Metropole, the Exec. Lounge is nice and the views were beautiful. The Lounge has both an indoor and an outdoor part. It was at this lounge that I learned to eat cheese with honey, and it was a delicious combination. I also enjoyed the Fernat Blanca, which I first tried in Buenos Aires where it is mixed with Coke. The attendant at the Metropole lounge was appalled.
We had a beautiful corner room at the Metropole. Being on a higher floor, we had lovely views. However, even as a Diamond, we were denied access to the spa. And the hotel ran out of shampoo so that for two days it didn't include shampoo during the daily housekeeping. Fortunately, I had brought my own.
If you have an AMEX, you could do four nights at one and one night at the other.
Originally Posted by
dwcatty
We are looking at five nights in Florence in late May and have just two choices with Hhonors points, this property or the Hilton. The Hilton gets mixed reviews due to location and it's shuttle, while this property you take the city bus (which I enjoy) downtown. A five night stay here would be a savings of 40,000 points. Is the Hilton worth that much more (he asks, knowing "worth" is a relative term)?