Sina Villa Medici, Autograph Collection - Florence, Italy [Master Thread]
Oct 22, 2018, 12:57 pm
#61
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The Gritti Palace in Venice likewise has the large key, though we found it quite charming. It probably helped that they held it for us at reception anytime we left and were prepared to hand it right back to us whenever we returned to the property.
Oct 22, 2018, 1:05 pm
#62
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FWIW, the StR Florence also has this, but we left it with and picked it up from reception whenever we left the hotel. It is a bit annoying, I agree, but it also evokes the charming ambience of a heritage property.
Oct 23, 2018, 3:31 am
#63
Join Date: Nov 2010
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We, too, just finished a 5 day award stay here. Sent in an SNA request, but we were upgraded to a suite about two weeks out, so I cancelled the SNA request. Very nice, large room.
As other said we got a single heavy metal key, which we left at reception when we left the hotel. Since it had the hotel name and room number on it losing it while you are out and about could be costly.
Room had two bathrooms, a large one with a tub and a small one with a walk-in shower.
Neighborhood was not exactly Gucci territory, but it was convenient to the train station and, as others have mentioned, not too bad a walk to central Florence. A short way to the river and a very pleasant walk from there.
About a block from the hotel there is a really nice gelato shop called B. Ice, by the way. Great for grabbing a treat on the way back to the hotel in the afternoon. There is also a Carrefour about a block and a half in the other direction.
We found the breakfast to be quite good. Were able to get all the things we usually like to get when we are on the road.
The restaurant, like many Italian restaurants, is closed from mid afternoon to 7 PM (as I recall), but the bar is open and serves food all day.
Overall, a very pleasant stay. Would definitely stay there again.
As other said we got a single heavy metal key, which we left at reception when we left the hotel. Since it had the hotel name and room number on it losing it while you are out and about could be costly.
Room had two bathrooms, a large one with a tub and a small one with a walk-in shower.
Neighborhood was not exactly Gucci territory, but it was convenient to the train station and, as others have mentioned, not too bad a walk to central Florence. A short way to the river and a very pleasant walk from there.
About a block from the hotel there is a really nice gelato shop called B. Ice, by the way. Great for grabbing a treat on the way back to the hotel in the afternoon. There is also a Carrefour about a block and a half in the other direction.
We found the breakfast to be quite good. Were able to get all the things we usually like to get when we are on the road.
The restaurant, like many Italian restaurants, is closed from mid afternoon to 7 PM (as I recall), but the bar is open and serves food all day.
Overall, a very pleasant stay. Would definitely stay there again.
Oct 23, 2018, 6:24 am
#64
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Is it safe walking around at night? Areas by train stations in Europe tend to attract vagabonds and, by extension, petty crime.
Oct 23, 2018, 8:16 am
#65
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We are not night people, so the latest I was out and about around the hotel was probably about 8:30. As you would expect for Italy, there were still a lot of people around, which generally means, as I'm sure you know, you are pretty safe except for maybe pickpockets. I would not have walked to the train station real late at night.
Dec 14, 2018, 4:13 pm
#66
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 702
The Sina Villa Medici was the ideal hotel for us in Florence – it was an oasis of calm elegance after a day of sight-seeing! Platinum Premier benefits were described in detail at check-in (complimentary breakfast buffet daily, plus points or a $10 Food and Beverage coupon.) I was upgraded to a lovely corner room with a pool-view terrace. As I was there on a Reward stay, the upgrade was really appreciated.
Overall the hotel is quite beautiful, from the lobby to the breakfast room to the outside patio overlooking the pool. But for us, the best part was our room. The hardwood floors, the efficient and very updated bathroom, the furnishings – all of it was truly excellent. One minor point, the mattress on our bed was quite hard, which my husband loved. Me, not as much! But our room was very quiet, the drapes kept it dark so in the end I slept just fine at the Sina.
I liked that there were separate closet areas with lots of hangers and drawers. So even without a dresser, we had plenty of room to store things. The mini-bar fridge had enough room for us to store a few things of our own, which was nice.
The bathroom was completely updated with plenty of room. We both really loved the shower and the fluffy towels! And our room was spotlessly clean, every day.
We were at the hotel for 5 days, using the breakfast buffet daily. It was wonderful: fried and scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, pastries, fruits, cereal, yogurts, vegetables, meats, cheeses, juices and prosecco. There was also a section with some wrapped gluten-free items. One wish, maybe a small variant each day on the buffet. It really was the exact same buffet every day. There was definitely no upcharge for Platinums, the entire buffet was available.
We also stopped by the Lobby Bar for a glass of wine (or two) several nights during our stay. They have a happy hour special from 6 to 7 PM, buy 2 glasses of wine and get the 3rd for free!
We found plenty of good restaurants close by for dinner on nights when we didn’t feel like wandering too far, but in the end, Florence isn’t that large. So while the Sina is slightly out of the city center, it doesn’t take too long to get where you need to be.
I agree with Dan Jordan above, B.ICE has great gelato - loved stopping by on our way home at night.
I would stay here again in a heartbeat! Of the three Autograph Collection hotels (Grand Hotel dei Dogi in Venice and Palazzo Naiadi in Rome) we stayed in while in Italy, this was our favorite by far. Just the right amount of service without being over the top, just the right amount of elegance without feeling out of place in our sight-seeing clothes after some long, hot days.
Overall the hotel is quite beautiful, from the lobby to the breakfast room to the outside patio overlooking the pool. But for us, the best part was our room. The hardwood floors, the efficient and very updated bathroom, the furnishings – all of it was truly excellent. One minor point, the mattress on our bed was quite hard, which my husband loved. Me, not as much! But our room was very quiet, the drapes kept it dark so in the end I slept just fine at the Sina.
I liked that there were separate closet areas with lots of hangers and drawers. So even without a dresser, we had plenty of room to store things. The mini-bar fridge had enough room for us to store a few things of our own, which was nice.
The bathroom was completely updated with plenty of room. We both really loved the shower and the fluffy towels! And our room was spotlessly clean, every day.
We were at the hotel for 5 days, using the breakfast buffet daily. It was wonderful: fried and scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, pastries, fruits, cereal, yogurts, vegetables, meats, cheeses, juices and prosecco. There was also a section with some wrapped gluten-free items. One wish, maybe a small variant each day on the buffet. It really was the exact same buffet every day. There was definitely no upcharge for Platinums, the entire buffet was available.
We also stopped by the Lobby Bar for a glass of wine (or two) several nights during our stay. They have a happy hour special from 6 to 7 PM, buy 2 glasses of wine and get the 3rd for free!
We found plenty of good restaurants close by for dinner on nights when we didn’t feel like wandering too far, but in the end, Florence isn’t that large. So while the Sina is slightly out of the city center, it doesn’t take too long to get where you need to be.
I agree with Dan Jordan above, B.ICE has great gelato - loved stopping by on our way home at night.
I would stay here again in a heartbeat! Of the three Autograph Collection hotels (Grand Hotel dei Dogi in Venice and Palazzo Naiadi in Rome) we stayed in while in Italy, this was our favorite by far. Just the right amount of service without being over the top, just the right amount of elegance without feeling out of place in our sight-seeing clothes after some long, hot days.
I was debating between this or Falisia, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Portopiccolo for 7 nights but your review won me over.
Aug 11, 2019, 9:21 pm
#67
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Mar 12, 2021, 3:30 pm
#71
Join Date: Jul 2012
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Any more recent stays at this property? I’m Ambassador and stayed at the St Regis back 2019 and absolutely loved it. Unfortunately, their rates and point redemption for where we are looking are outrageous. SVM has a good point saver promotion going on, the location looks decent and the photos look good. Went over to the Westin when we stayed at the St Regis and really enjoyed the roof top bar.
Mar 12, 2021, 8:04 pm
#72
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 702
Any more recent stays at this property? I’m Ambassador and stayed at the St Regis back 2019 and absolutely loved it. Unfortunately, their rates and point redemption for where we are looking are outrageous. SVM has a good point saver promotion going on, the location looks decent and the photos look good. Went over to the Westin when we stayed at the St Regis and really enjoyed the roof top bar.
We stayed for a week in Oct 2019 and loved it. Really good breakfast when we were there. Not that recent but if I can help let me know.
Mar 12, 2021, 9:59 pm
#73
Join Date: Jan 2016
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Was there in Dec 2018 and I didn't think that the breakfast was all that strong. I've definitely had better in Europe, even at some "ordinary" FS properties. Could be an Italian thing though.
Mar 12, 2021, 10:29 pm
#74
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Overall, the hotel was just fine as I used a travel certificate here and the Westin/StR are at a higher category.
Mar 13, 2021, 4:48 am
#75
Join Date: Jul 2012
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Thanks for the responses.
This thread really became a hotel breakfast thread v. a hotel thread a couple of years ago. Not too worried about breakfast. Coffee, water and some European style foods is fine. I don’t go to Europe or a hotel for a breakfast. Happy to go down the street and get a roll and some cappuccino. What’s important to me is the hotel’s convenient location, clean, quiet, excellent service.
I will say, however, when I stayed at the St Regis a couple of years ago their breakfast was over the top but that’s not why I chose that hotel.
This thread really became a hotel breakfast thread v. a hotel thread a couple of years ago. Not too worried about breakfast. Coffee, water and some European style foods is fine. I don’t go to Europe or a hotel for a breakfast. Happy to go down the street and get a roll and some cappuccino. What’s important to me is the hotel’s convenient location, clean, quiet, excellent service.
I will say, however, when I stayed at the St Regis a couple of years ago their breakfast was over the top but that’s not why I chose that hotel.
