Real personal touch

Our stay at this hotel helped make our Florence vacation one of the best we've ever had in Italy. People like the concierges helped us plan our day and everyone was friendly and efficient.

We had a room in Renaissance style with beautiful furniture like a canopy bed. We could also decide our favourite pillow from a list!

Wonderful hotel

We loved this hotel! Our room was beautiful, not to mention huge. In fact, the bathroom was as big as our entire room at a place we stayed at in Rome on the same trip. The location is excellent - right on the river, and you can walk to everything. The staff is very helpful as well, and not only do they speak English but they're willing to help you with your Italian! We will not stay anywhere else in Florence.

Wonderful experience

I travel a lot both domestically and internationally and I have stayed in some very deluxe properties, but my stay at the Grand was the most restful, peaceful, comfortable experience that I have ever had...everyone was very friendly and helpful..food was wonderful at the new restaurant... The beds, the pillows, the room, everything was there for me to relax and feel pampered!"

Below average

Would go for a more economical hotel. This one not worth the splurge. For some reason, the 'glass lobby' is in the back of the hotel and one has to literally look for it. Strange as it appears to the the center attraction.

The room that we had was musty with no view even though we were promised an upgrade. The one grat thing there at the Grand is their concierge service. They are extremely helpful. Also, parking is 40 Euros per night. I would not stay there again.

SPECTACULAR!!!

Where do I start! It was a wonderful experience from the time we arrived to the time we checked out. My six year old daughter cried when we had to leave and the door man Walter came to the car and told her they would keep her hotel room waiting for her always and the Grand Hotel was her home away from home. My daughter will always remember that and so will my husband and I. Our room had a beautiful view of the Arno and the hills beyond. The room was huge with lots of light and beautifuly decorated. The bathroom was all in marble and was lovely. You must get the buffet breakfast at the hotel. It was the best breakfast I have ever had, anywhere! They had Champagne, all kinds of breads, eggs, bacon, susage, salami's, salmon, chicken tenders, vegtables, every cereal, and fresh fruit. The list could go on forever!! You get the newspaper every morning and the maid service along with the turn down service was perfect down to the Godiva chocolate on your pillow. The best part of the hotel was the restaurant, amazing food. We actually ate there every night of our six night stay. The service in the restaurant was perfect, they made us feel so at home and they were amazing with our daughter. They bent over backwards and I truly mean that. Sometimes traveling through Eurpoe with a child can be daunting, but not at the Grand Hotel. They sell a book in the lobby about the history of the Hotel. I bought it and was delighted. The Romanov's used to stay there when they visited Florence. Also the hotel is in a lovely piazza with a church in the middle. The church is where Amerigo Vespucci is buried. He spent alot of time at this church with his family. The location of the hotel was great. Close to the center, but far enough away from the masses. We travel 3 to 4 times a year to Europe and stay at only five star properties. This was one of our best trips in 18 years of traveling to Europe and it is due to the Grand Hotels staff and ambiance!!! We loved the Grand Hotel!!

Grand Hotel -- aptly named

Totally "Grand!"

From the magnificent view of the Arno to the impeccable service and friendly staff, this place rates a clear 5 stars.

Without a doubt, the Grand lives up to its oppulent reputation.

Accommodations were spacious with antique furnishings along with a lovely bathroom with marbled trappings.

A delightful breakfast was included in the tab on their picturesque mezzanine.

Hard to beat and highly recommended.

Poor Accomodation but Good Location

The hotel was in a good location and the staff were friendly but if you are given a room on the first floor run away as fast as you can.

Our room was 103 and right by the bar/internet link/ breakfast room/lift and was extremely noisy. I think I only had one good nights sleep when I was there.

Every morning I was woken up at 6am to the sound of crockery/cutlery/shouting as the hotel staff prepared for breakfast. The it was noisy with guests coming back and forth from the bar and breakfast room. As the bar had no door the smell of cigarettes wafted into our room (not v.pleasant for a non-smoker like myself). Also, as the reception is 24hr, the night clerk sits in the bar all night, again chain smoking and watching the tv very loud - which I had to turn off at 4am and complain about on a number of occassions.

The rooms were refreshed everyday but were very tiny. I had to sit on the wc sideways as there was about 2 inches between the front of the toilet bowl and the bathroom wall. I would not recommend this hotel if you are tall or big built.

On a positive note, the hotel is right off the main shopping street with a supermarket next door and a cash point on the corner. Watch out for the beggar girls that hang around outside though!

Nice but not amazing

Thought the hotel was alright - but definitely not worth the cost. The rooms seemed like theme rooms from some Vegas hotel. They are all done up to make you feel like you are staying in an old italian villa - very tacky. Would be nice if it was not a sheraton! My room looked into a court yard covered in asto turf. Would make sure you get a room facing the river - or better yet, stay at the Westin across the way - it was much nicer.

Grand Indeed!

This was our first experience with a five star hotel and we were not disappointed, the Grand was grand indeed! The staff were terrific, they made us feel 'special' and welcome yet without fawning over us, they were superb. The room decor was simply breathtaking, and the view from the fourth floor overlooking the river was fabulous - the first night we saw the full moon rise over the Ponto Vecchio with its reflection dancing on the waters of the Arno. Wow!

The room prices were very high for our usual budget but as this was a wedding anniversary we decided to treat ourselves - and it was worth every penny.

If you can afford the prices, and select a fourth floor room, dont hesitate to choose this hotel, you will not be disappointed.

Elegant

Stayed here while on business. Hotel is pricey but what you get is an experience. Bedroom was like an art gallery, view of the Duomo and space, space, space. Outstanding food, public space and staff. On a charming square opposite the Westin and on the Arno. If you have the green spend it here...