miles_navigator

Folks, thanks for the responses. I just realized there is Hilton Garden Inn also outside Florence/in the Florence suburbs. What are the trade offs between staying at the Hilton vs. HGI (beyond the free shuttle)?

I am looking to do a full points redemption and the HGI is less (20K vs. 30K per night).

ahu2011

Executive lounge

halldavi

The HGI is very close to a bus line, which has a direct run into historic Florence. I think this might be better to use, than being dependent on the Hilton bus.

yann

We're considering staying here in november.

Any update on the pool charge?

Thanks in advance.

jabez

Just returned from a four night stay. Was upgraded to Executive room, offered breakfast in their dining room or the lounge, and received some welcoming gifts (candy, slippers, etc.). I was told the Jacuzzi was free, but nothing was said (nor did I ask) about the pool.
This was my fifth stay at this property. Overall, to spite the inconvenience of its location, its a pretty good hotel. It does need a little repair work in places, but still a nice way to use points.
Two things different from previous stays:
1. The new location for the shuttle bus near the train station adds an additional 10-15 minute walk both ways.
2. The lounge only brings out wine/liquor and snacks between 6 and 9pm.

gemac

We stayed one night at the HGI when we arrived in Florence 6 weeks ago, as we had a very late arrival and wanted something close to the airport for the first night. We stayed 2 nights at the Hilton Metropole at the end of our visit, as the apartment we were renting was not available those two nights. In between, we stayed in a small apartment in the city center, next to the Duomo.

The two hotels are fairly similar, except as mentioned upthread that the Metropole has an executive lounge, which is about average by European standards. The evening food runs heavily to pastas (this is Italy, after all). We found no restaurants within walking distance of either one, and nothing that you would come to Italy as a tourist to see, so for either one you would be making trips into the city center to see things and for meals.

One problem in the city center is that there are no public restrooms - if you are patronizing a restaurant you can use theirs, and museums have them, but if you are just walking about or shopping there aren't any. If you want to avoid repeated back-and-forth trips, take a backpack so you can take everything you might want or need with you.

Going to/from central city will take at least an hour round trip, whether by taxi or shuttle, and a lot longer at certain times of day.

We enjoyed our time staying in the central city much more than either of these two hotels. I don't think you will find any of the American hotel chains with hotels in the central city - the buildings are too old and can't be brought up to hotel chain standards - but there are some perfectly respectable hotels that do not meet those standards available, and I would suggest one of those if your purpose is tourism and if you think you can get by without Peter Roth toiletries.

pauleeepaul

This is pretty close.
http://www.westinflorence.com/?PS=LG...TPRP&SWAQ=7M96

And this for the well heeled.
http://www.fourseasons.com/florence/...FVORHwodWSsKog

helosc

Last minute question (am in the middle of packing):

Do the bathrooms have bathtubs or only showers?

more4less

Hi,

IIRC both, but my last stay in this hotel was 4/5 years and I am not 100% sure.

Have a nice trip!

helosc

Thank you, I'll pack the bath oils then.....

helosc

You did remember correctly. According to the floor plan in my room, all rooms have bathtubs except the 2 corner rooms which for some reason only have showers.
I was upgraded to a corner room, so....

more4less

Sorry to hear it, I hope that at least the upgrade compensates the lack of bathtub.

Enjoy Florence!

Skimanant

The corner rooms are larger too.

helosc

Yes, I'm very pleased with the room - very nice view.

pauleeepaul

I haven't been there is a while, do they still have the mildly uncomfortably squishy carpet in the sleeping floor corridors?