Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte — Hotel in Unione dei comuni della Versilia

This was our first visit to Tuscany and to the hotel in question. Previous reviews showed very positive feedback so we were very much looking forward to our holiday which had been booked as an extra special treat for my partner's 60th birthday. On the plus side the restaurant staff were extremely friendly and the food was of a really good standard. Sadly the break will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. When we arrived at the hotel we were told after 10 minutes that the room we had booked had had a leak so wouldn't be available until the following day so we were placed in a classic room which was a downgrade from what we had paid for with a lovely view of the staff car park and loading bay. When we arrived at the room we were told that the hotel was in fact overbooked and the room we had paid for would become free the next afternoon. We expressed our dismay given that we had booked our holiday a year in advance. We were offered no reimbursement merely a sorry! We raised this again with staff at the end of our holiday when we were being presented with the bill and received exactly the same response. We had booked full board at the hotel stupidly thinking this would include drinks with our meals but nothing outside of this. In fact no drinks were included. The hotel charges 5 euros for a can of diet coke and 3 euros for water. As we were there for two weeks it wasn't long before we were looking at a drinks bill of several hundred euros. We also kept being charged for lunchtime meals. Burgers were 27 euros whilst mozzarella and tomato salad was 24 euros. My partner got fed up with going to the reception staff to try and sort this out on a daily basis. By day 5 we decided to eat elsewhere ironically being able to have the same meals and drinks at a third of the price. It is clear that the hotel relies on conferences and tour groups as it's main source of income and when groups were in staff attention very much focussed on these groups. On a number of occasions there was no access to the reading/quiet rooms because they had been earmarked for conferences/private meetings. It just wasn't what we expected of a five star small luxury hotel. We have received better care and hospitality from much less prestigious hotels. We will not be returning neither would we recommend unless you have...

As anybody can see from the reviews I have written over 20 years, whenever possible we book 5 star hotels.|We knew this hotel was in that category but what we found was a total surprise.|The building celebrated its 100 years in 2022. It must have gone through a complete refurbishment during recent times. Maintaining its classic architecture, the interior is a blend of contemporary furniture with a taste for classism. They used only high quality materials and good taste. The result is an elegant hotel full of details impossible to list but which added up make a lasting impression.|They have 3 restaurants. One Michelin star on the ground floor, one more casual on the top floor with a terraced view, another for light lunches above the pool area. All serve excellent food. |Additionally they have a huge breakfast room in the style of the old dining rooms of XIX century hotels which serves the most incredible buffet selection I have ever seen. On a rectangular shaped table measuring maybe 50 meters in perimeter you find everything your could desire for breakfast and things you would have never thought about. The selection and options is stunning.|We had a suite consisting of a ample living area, 2 marble bathrooms and a large bedroom with generous closet area. Very nicely and elegantly decorated with top bedsheets and amenities. |AC and WIFI work perfectly. Electric window shutters enable the darkening of the rooms and silence is total. |E-bikes of good quality and a Spa are complimentary at disposal.|On the roof they added a hip deep pool with an incredible view of the whole coast Just crossing the street there is a beach club which does not belong to the hotel but works with them for a fee. There you get a changing room with shower, a beach tent, a huge swimming pool and beach restaurant. Very nice for a sandy day experience. |Staff is very kind and well trained. Always with a smile, including the Michelin Chef.|Viareggio not being a rich and famous watering hole surprises with a hotel like I described. I hope they can maintain this high standard. We where delighted to visit the area and have a place so...

WOWSA may not be Italian but it is the experience at the KING of Viareggio. Prince is not a worthy enough title!||Visiting a friend was enhanced by this jewel on the beach ( across the street from their beach club) and it really made our trip to Viareggio. The city itself is a main beach attraction for mostly Italians to summer as the beach is HUGE and the "Prince" is setup to rule the beach.||Old school elegance with a TOP staff. || Chiara as a concierge is very eager to help ( Emma's Gelato was fantastic recommendation for an afternoon scoop) and so many of the others, especially the breakfast crew is awesome. From the fist smile at the hostess desk; front desk and all areas of the hotel you are really at home.| Did I say breakfast? HOLY COW ( that is Italian) is the "included" breakfast that is by far the most extravagant event I have witnessed. This is over the top luxurious and they have thought of everything. REALLY well done and again, staff is as good as the food!|Top pool is not meant to be a "pool" per se as it is only 30 something inches deep but enough to cool off as you lounge in luxury to view the city, beach, sunset all the while you sip away at a Spritz....BY THE WAY, get the Venturo Spritz. Amazing.| Impressed by a two star Michelin chef yet we did not dine in this first floor room. Rather, we opted for the more casual top floor dining which was IMPRESSIVE. Pizza was "perfecto" and the seafood pasta incredible. Chef was kind enough to come out and explain and detail several questions. Molto bene!!|Our sea side standard King was upgraded to a Sea Side Suite ( Grazie) and was large and well appointed. Classic elegance. The only recommendation for the hotel is to turn down the air freshener which was quite pungent in the room. More subtle. |A must stay if you are in this town, there buying a yacht, slabs of marble from Calabria or walking/hiking Cinque Terra. Don't...