Settentrionale Esplanade

“The staff made this hotel!”

The hotel Settentrionale Esplanade, provided the most amazing experience for us. We were instantly greeted by the lovely girl on reception, who was patient, useful and kind, she provided us with an adapter when ours wouldn’t fit and was available to answer all of our questions when needed. She also… more

The hotel Settentrionale Esplanade, provided the most amazing experience for us. We were instantly greeted by the lovely girl on reception, who was patient, useful and kind, she provided us with an adapter when ours wouldn’t fit and was available to answer all of our questions when needed. She also managed to organise a transfer for us, very last minute, when our train was cancelled. So for that, we are incredibly grateful to her. The room was clean and spacious, with a comfortable bed. We also thoroughly enjoyed the breakfast, which consisted of yoghurt, breads, cheeses, cured meats, eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh fruits and a selection of tarts and pastries. We also had dinner there one night, which was lovely! But the main attraction of this hotel, are the staff. Especially Antonio and the great bartender, and the other staff who were patient and kind, thank you very very very much for everything, we will be coming back, lots of love, from Kathleen and Liam from room 221 xxxx

less

“Pleasant and comfortable hotel, but it and the town have seen better days”

I can see why this hotel gets mixed reviews. Pros: well located including close to the train station, clean and comfortable with friendly staff. Breakfast was usual international hotel fare but plentiful. Cons: showing wear and tear and dated, some of the decor is OK as fitted to the era of the h… more

I can see why this hotel gets mixed reviews. Pros: well located including close to the train station, clean and comfortable with friendly staff. Breakfast was usual international hotel fare but plentiful. Cons: showing wear and tear and dated, some of the decor is OK as fitted to the era of the hotel/town, but carpets are wearing thin etc. Everything worked for me. Room was small, but it was just me so not a problem. Very much a hotel used by groups, so could be a bit overwhelming with a large group in, but the hotel tended to give them their own area in the restaurant etc so it was well managed. Montecantini itself has definitely seen better days and is very much in decline. However pleasant enough and a good location due to the train station. Bring insect stuff, a former swamp, and despite not seeing the insects eveyone was getting bitten!

less

“Our Favourite Hotel in Italy – Simply Perfect”

The most perfect hotel in the most perfect place! During our trip to Italy we visited Pisa, Florence, and Lucca, but this town – and especially this hotel – was by far our favourite. The food here was the best we had in Italy, and everything about the stay was relaxing and memorable. The staff we… more

The most perfect hotel in the most perfect place! During our trip to Italy we visited Pisa, Florence, and Lucca, but this town – and especially this hotel – was by far our favourite. The food here was the best we had in Italy, and everything about the stay was relaxing and memorable. The staff were absolutely lovely, always attentive and ready to help. Nothing was ever too much trouble – whether it was bringing drinks or food wherever you were, or simply making you feel so welcome. The rooms were spotlessly clean, the bed was very comfortable, and the towels were soft and fresh. The whole atmosphere was peaceful, with nice music and a truly calming vibe. The pool was a highlight, complete with a massage jet, and the location couldn’t have been better – nicely tucked away from the busy part of town, but still only a couple of minutes’ walk to everything. It’s set on the nicest street in town, and just two minutes from the thermal baths, which made it extra special. A perfect setting, perfect hotel, and a place we would love to return to again and again.

less

“Basic hotel…”

I stayed here for a week as part of a group tour holiday. Apart from the excellent location, close to the town centre in one direction and the funicular in the other, I would not choose to stay in this hotel again. The rooms are clean but basic. I suspect that the bathroom in my room had not been r… more

I stayed here for a week as part of a group tour holiday. Apart from the excellent location, close to the town centre in one direction and the funicular in the other, I would not choose to stay in this hotel again. The rooms are clean but basic. I suspect that the bathroom in my room had not been redone for many years; I have never before seen rusty plugs in a hotel sink or bidet, for example, and the shower worked well but the control was also rusty and the base leaked badly, tricky in what was a really quite small bathroom with limited storage (as you couldn’t put a toiletry bag in the only available floor space due to the leak, so the only place to put it was on top of the toilet cistern). The bed was quite hard but comfortable; the room was quiet but stuffy with the window closed but noisy at times with it open. The air con didn’t seem to be working, probably because of the time of year. The storage was fine although two of the coat hangers in the wardrobe broke just putting things onto them! (They were a mixed assortment of what looked like plastic ones from shops.) Being,I think, one of their single rooms, there was one desk chair and nothing else to sit on. The room would have been very cramped with two people in it. There was a fridge, which was good, but the safe which should have been there, wasn’t. Breakfasts were adequate if, again, quite basic. There was no variety at all during the week’s stay so they became quite monotonous. We had two included hotel dinners with our tour. Both were very good if somewhat salty. The cannelloni at the second dinner was superb! Our group were all based in rooms just over the road from the main building. The stair lighting in this building wasn’t always on, even when it was dark outside, making it quite difficult to use the stairs. Even when lit, the lighting wasn’t great. There were notices about eco-initiatives in the bathroom, and refillable plastic bottles for hand wash and shower gel attached to the walls, but towels were replenished every day even when you replaced them on the rails. Staff at reception were ok but not particularly polite or helpful; staff in the restaurant and bar were really nice. The public areas in the main building were well maintained and attractive. Overall, not to be recommended other than location; from observation I would say that the majority of their custom is from tour groups.

less