Florence, Italy - Westin or the Grand (pre 2005 discussion) [Master Thread]
Jan 16, 2001, 3:48 pm
#1
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Florence, Italy - Westin or the Grand (pre 2005 discussion) [Master Thread]
I'm trying to decide which hotel to stay in Florence. I prefer hotels that are close to the city center so I can walk there. Are the hotels nice in the grand (older) way or the modern way?
Jan 16, 2001, 9:22 pm
#2
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The two Luxury Group hotels are the ones on the Arno and central to everything. The Sheraton is quite a ways off from anything.
Jan 16, 2001, 9:36 pm
#3
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Stayed at the Savoy over New Year's Weekend - located @ Piazza della Republica - can't get better location (other than if you're trying to drive there).
We thought it was phenomenal - a little boutiquy, so you need to like that (a little) but not over the top, and great staff - very nice rooms. We had a lower mid-range room (special rate) but still very comfortable.
Greg
We thought it was phenomenal - a little boutiquy, so you need to like that (a little) but not over the top, and great staff - very nice rooms. We had a lower mid-range room (special rate) but still very comfortable.
Greg
Jan 17, 2001, 1:32 am
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I've booked the Westin Excelsior for two nights with Starwood points, total 24,000 points.
I've also looked at the Hotel Savoy and the Leading Hotels of the World website gives a special rate of 450,000L/night, around US$225/night (the rate is for one person but I do have two in a room).
I haven't stayed in either hotel before. Which one should I go for? Westin on points? Or paying for Savoy?
I've also looked at the Hotel Savoy and the Leading Hotels of the World website gives a special rate of 450,000L/night, around US$225/night (the rate is for one person but I do have two in a room).
I haven't stayed in either hotel before. Which one should I go for? Westin on points? Or paying for Savoy?
Jan 17, 2001, 7:32 am
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Haven't stayed @ the Westin (only been to Florence once since I was a student).
I didn't actually answer your first question very well. The building looks old, but it was gutted and redone, reopening in May of last year, so the rooms are very modern. Very white. Each floor (6) had a painting in the elevator vestibule of high heeled shoes. Same painting, but different color for each floor.
We paid ~ USD250 for ours, so I think we had 1 step up from your special (it was sold out when we went) but the room had a very nice bathroom (not by Asian standards, but certainly by European standards). We wound up either sleeping through or leaving before breakfast, so I can't comment on that.
The staff & concierge was very nice and helpful with reservations, tix to the Uffizi, etc. Warned us not to drive early in the morning back to MXP b/c it was dangerous over the mountains in the snow (did it anyway).
I can't say enough about the location - right in the middle of everything - which is a definite liability, I found, renting a car. But parking was no problem (hotel handled - still cheaper than SF or BOS).
I can't tell you which one to go with (don't know how much you care about the miles) but I can wholeheartedly recommend the Savoy.
Let us know which you finally pick! [shoot me an email if you want more details or a tel no. to chat @ the office]
Greg
[This message has been edited by greg99 (edited 01-17-2001).]
I didn't actually answer your first question very well. The building looks old, but it was gutted and redone, reopening in May of last year, so the rooms are very modern. Very white. Each floor (6) had a painting in the elevator vestibule of high heeled shoes. Same painting, but different color for each floor.
We paid ~ USD250 for ours, so I think we had 1 step up from your special (it was sold out when we went) but the room had a very nice bathroom (not by Asian standards, but certainly by European standards). We wound up either sleeping through or leaving before breakfast, so I can't comment on that.
The staff & concierge was very nice and helpful with reservations, tix to the Uffizi, etc. Warned us not to drive early in the morning back to MXP b/c it was dangerous over the mountains in the snow (did it anyway).
I can't say enough about the location - right in the middle of everything - which is a definite liability, I found, renting a car. But parking was no problem (hotel handled - still cheaper than SF or BOS).
I can't tell you which one to go with (don't know how much you care about the miles) but I can wholeheartedly recommend the Savoy.
Let us know which you finally pick! [shoot me an email if you want more details or a tel no. to chat @ the office]
Greg
[This message has been edited by greg99 (edited 01-17-2001).]
Jan 17, 2001, 10:31 am
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You might also possibly consider:
The Grand Hotel, kind of downtown next to the Excelsior on Piazza Ognissanti overlooking the Arno.
Grand Hotel Villa Medici, a bit further out and not quite as nice as The Grand above as well as being in kind of the old city ctr.
Hotel Regency, a bit farther out as well and VERY small but great!
The Grand Hotel, kind of downtown next to the Excelsior on Piazza Ognissanti overlooking the Arno.
Grand Hotel Villa Medici, a bit further out and not quite as nice as The Grand above as well as being in kind of the old city ctr.
Hotel Regency, a bit farther out as well and VERY small but great!
Jan 17, 2001, 7:36 pm
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Hmm. I stayed at the Westin there last year, got upgraded to a great suite overlooking the Arno, with a balcony. The location might be a little off the tourist path but I will take the 15 minutes walk along these streets every day.
Do a search in this forum and you will see some more trip reports on the Westin and the Grand.
Do a search in this forum and you will see some more trip reports on the Westin and the Grand.
Jan 17, 2001, 7:56 pm
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My wife and I honeymooned in Italy for 2 weeks courtesy of Starwood points this past October and I would be glad to give you more detailed advice if you would like it about Florence, Venice, Rome, Tuscany, etc.. Just drop me an e-mail and include in the subject line that you are a FT'er. (otherwise I delete messages from someone I don't know off-hand)
Quick answer though for Florence is that we chose the Westin Excelsior, had a great room, spacious, etc.. staff was extremely helpful, had dinner 1 night in the hotel restaurant (too tired to go anywhere else) and thought that the food was outstanding!! The concierge desk was also helpful with arranging anything and everything that you could imagine.
Have a great time. The walk is about 10-15 minutes to some of the sites in Florence, but I enjoyed the location on the river and the quieter Piazza Ognissanti. Walking is what you do in Florence so go for it!! Free beats paying any day of the week in my book.
Jbird
Quick answer though for Florence is that we chose the Westin Excelsior, had a great room, spacious, etc.. staff was extremely helpful, had dinner 1 night in the hotel restaurant (too tired to go anywhere else) and thought that the food was outstanding!! The concierge desk was also helpful with arranging anything and everything that you could imagine.
Have a great time. The walk is about 10-15 minutes to some of the sites in Florence, but I enjoyed the location on the river and the quieter Piazza Ognissanti. Walking is what you do in Florence so go for it!! Free beats paying any day of the week in my book.
Jbird
Jan 17, 2001, 8:39 pm
#9
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The Excelsior is fantastic, great river view, quiet area. Shopping & eating nearby. However it's not that close to some of the attractions. A little give and take I guess
Jan 17, 2001, 9:27 pm
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Well, it seems that I have been outvoted on this thread, although no one contradicts my assessment that these hotels are not ideally situated to the historical sites. My rate was approx $125 for 2 in the off season.
If I had the points, and I do not, I would instead spend them at the Westin Excelsior in Rome, which is located near the top of the Via Veneto, sandwiched between the Marriott Grand Flora and the American Embassy. Better location, but I would assume the same quality as the Excelsior in Firenze.
Enjoy!
If I had the points, and I do not, I would instead spend them at the Westin Excelsior in Rome, which is located near the top of the Via Veneto, sandwiched between the Marriott Grand Flora and the American Embassy. Better location, but I would assume the same quality as the Excelsior in Firenze.
Enjoy!
Jan 18, 2001, 10:47 am
#11
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BTW - DOC is absolutely correct. My wife and I spent time in 3 cities while in Italy last year - Rome, Florence & Milan. We stayed at the Excelsiors in Rome & Florence and the Principe de Savaoi (sp?) in Milan. If you're not stuck on which city, the Excelsior in Roma is in an absolute PERFECT location. I was very comfortable being across the street from the U.S. Embassy (you never know when there's going to be a revolution in one of those socialist countries 
)
Anyway, it's all fun, just do like we did and ride the Eurostar all over and see it all.
)Anyway, it's all fun, just do like we did and ride the Eurostar all over and see it all.
Jan 18, 2001, 10:11 pm
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I agree with DOC, as well - the location of the Savoy is just about perfect for the attractions.
Greg
Greg
Aug 1, 2001, 1:09 pm
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Florence, Italy -- General Discussion (Where should I stay? Which is better, etc.)
Hotel was booked full. Forced rate with
SPG P status. Price same for both Hotels.
Stayed at Grand and had a great suite last
time. Opinions on Excelsior appreciated.
SPG P status. Price same for both Hotels.
Stayed at Grand and had a great suite last
time. Opinions on Excelsior appreciated.
Jan 1, 2002, 1:41 pm
#14
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My fiance and I are planning to honeymoon in Florence in June '02 on Starwood Points. Would appreciate any additional comments on the subject of Grand vs. Excelsior.
Jan 2, 2002, 6:17 am
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Stayed two free weekends in Oct. at the Grand. Occupancy was probably 25-30%. As a gold, the upgrade room the first weekend was a standard with a view of the Arno, about 15 feet wide. The second weekend, the view of the Arno was better, the room was less than 12 feet wide.
Staff was great.
Staff was great.
