Italy luxury Hotels 3 cities: help me choose?
Sep 16, 2019, 8:44 am
#16
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I have had a little bit of a frustrating experience booking 5+ rooms for a stay + private dinner event in March, but sticking with it. The terrace of the Gritti is tempting but given March weather I don't think we'll be missing much there.
Sep 16, 2019, 8:46 am
#17
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Sep 16, 2019, 9:17 am
#18
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We went in January 2017 and had a lunch outside at Quadri's in warm sunshine. You never can tell. Anywhere these days. The city in January was wonderful - only a few hardy souls like us. Ditto in Rome in January 2018 where we had lunch outside at Palazzo Manfredi gazing over at the Colosseum.
Last edited by Pausanias; Sep 16, 2019 at 9:23 am
Sep 16, 2019, 10:07 am
#19
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That´s the Point. StR may be slightly more central but not that much. Simply use Google to calculate distances. Some main spots are even nearer to FS. Location wise Portrait is the best of the 3, absolute best (only on location) is Rocco Forte Savoy.
Sep 16, 2019, 10:21 am
#20
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I am always amazed and curious why so many say this. It's a 12-15 min walk or 3 min taxi ride from the StR to the "better located" Hotel Eden or Hotel Hassler that are pretty much at the Spanish Steps. It's a 12-15 min walk or 3 min taxi ride from the StR to the Trevi Fountain. It's a 20-25 min walk or 8 min taxi ride to the Coliseum. It's a 12 min taxi ride from the StR to the Vatican. It's a 10 min walk or 3 min taxi ride from the StR to the train station. It wasn't more than a 5-12 min walk or taxi ride from the StR to any of the Michelin restaurants at which we dined, as well.
We loved the StR as a hotel. We loved the StR for its proximity within easy walking distance and certainly easy driving distance of less than 15 min to all of the major sights and best restaurants. What's the issue?
We loved the StR as a hotel. We loved the StR for its proximity within easy walking distance and certainly easy driving distance of less than 15 min to all of the major sights and best restaurants. What's the issue?
Sep 16, 2019, 10:29 am
#21
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But 2* Il Pagliaccio was just a 10-12 min taxi ride from the StR and did'n't require a jacket and 1* La Terrazza at the Eden was just a 10-12 min walk for us from the StR. Also, 1* Aroma at the Palazzo Manfredi overlooking the Coliseum was a mere 10 min taxi and a 20 min walk back for us.
I don't think the StR is as badly located for restaurants as you believe.
Sep 17, 2019, 12:55 am
#22
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As it were, 1* Imago and 3* La Pergola wouldn't relax their jacket req't so we wouldn't bother.
But 2* Il Pagliaccio was just a 10-12 min taxi ride from the StR and did'n't require a jacket and 1* La Terrazza at the Eden was just a 10-12 min walk for us from the StR. Also, 1* Aroma at the Palazzo Manfredi overlooking the Coliseum was a mere 10 min taxi and a 20 min walk back for us.
I don't think the StR is as badly located for restaurants as you believe.
But 2* Il Pagliaccio was just a 10-12 min taxi ride from the StR and did'n't require a jacket and 1* La Terrazza at the Eden was just a 10-12 min walk for us from the StR. Also, 1* Aroma at the Palazzo Manfredi overlooking the Coliseum was a mere 10 min taxi and a 20 min walk back for us.
I don't think the StR is as badly located for restaurants as you believe.
p.s.: When I ever see you I will give you a jacket
Sep 17, 2019, 1:18 am
#23
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Just finished a stay at JK Place in Rome. I’ve stayed at many of the other “top” hotels in Rome and JK ranks among the best, IMO. A little more boutique and hidden but great service, design, and well located.
Sep 17, 2019, 2:02 am
#24
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In Italy I never bother with Michelin - it only favours places with smart cutlery and glassware. I like the little places around Trastevere in Rome where you can get plate of razor clams or sea urchin risotto and bottle of Frascati for less than the price of a Lamborghini.
Sep 17, 2019, 8:59 am
#25
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(Ironically, we did love 1* Winter Garden at the StR Florence so much that we did dine there on both our first and last nights, however.)
Sep 17, 2019, 10:45 am
#26
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In Italy I never bother with Michelin - it only favours places with smart cutlery and glassware. I like the little places around Trastevere in Rome where you can get plate of razor clams or sea urchin risotto and bottle of Frascati for less than the price of a Lamborghini.
Rome isn’t about Mich * (which aren’t a good representation there to begin with). As far as hotels, I’ve been staying in SLH properties on/around Via Margutta last few years and there’s no going back to any of the hotels mentioned here.
In Florence I like Lungarno.
Sep 17, 2019, 10:48 am
#27
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The StR also feels cheap and like a caricature of Italy. It’s simply no comparison to the Four Seasons.
Sep 17, 2019, 10:50 am
#28
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its challenging. I think the service at JK is excellent but rooms too small. And I expect the opposite when I’m at the Fendi Suites in November.
Sep 17, 2019, 11:17 am
#29
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Such hyperbole is unnecessary. The StR and FS have the same owner, so such hyperbole miserably fails, as well. The StR may not be your style, just as the FS may not be ours. We don't like the FS, and you don't like the StR. But pretending that either is cheap, a caricature, or not among the very best hotels in Florence really undermines you and does you no favors.
Sep 17, 2019, 11:27 am
#30
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Such hyperbole is unnecessary. The StR and FS have the same owner, so such hyperbole miserably fails, as well. The StR may not be your style, just as the FS may not be ours. We don't like the FS, and you don't like the StR. But pretending that either is cheap, a caricature, or not among the very best hotels in Florence really undermines you and does you no favors.
The Four Seasons building is steeped in history. Again, incomparable.
If I was to reject the Four Seasons due to location, the only other hotel at this level is arguably the JK Place.