Royal Victoria Hotel Pisa

We stayed at the Royal Victoria in early July and were truly disappointed. We spent two weeks in Italy and had wonderful accomodations and hospitality everywhere we visited until out last stop in Pisa. The room was far from "charming", and in fact, looked like an antiseptic hospital room of 50 years ago. The bathroom shower leaked out into the floor (which is perhaps why they were tile throughout), the upholstery, furnishings and walls were anything but classy and the mattresses were the worst I've experienced in all of our travels!

Additionally, we found the owner to be quite unfriendly and unhelpful.

We stayed at the Royal Victoria for one night because we were flying out of Pisa the next morning. The staff was far from warm: they were downright rude. They made us fill out a form (which was a little confusing), and then scolded us because we filled out some areas incorrectly. All the other hotels during our two week Italian vacation filled out the forms for us. Then the staff gave us our key and told us our room was on the fourth floor: they didn't offer to tell us where the elevators were, let alone take us to the room. In addition, we were leaving at 4 o'clock the next morning; I had reserved our room without the added breakfast. The reservationist informed us that this would be alright and they would discount our bill because we wouldn't be using that service. When we checked in, the front desk staff told us that they could not waive the breakfast charge and there would be no discount. They also informed us that if we could not physically eat breakfast in the hotel (because we were leaving before they served), then there was a "breakfast in a bag" that we could take with us: juice, a stale pastry, and a cookie. The hotel itself is pretty shabby, but had a *tiny* bit of charm (stress on tiny). Furniture was old, definitely not "antique." Sheets actually had holes in them. I agree with other reviewers that the hotel's charm is the little hidden terraces and balconies. Our room was not any better than other hotels that we stayed in for less money. I would recommend another hotel in Pisa: this one is not worth the price.

This classic hotel is perfectly located in the very center of Pisa right between the train station and the famous tower. 20 meters from the main shopping street and right facing the river (though very few rooms have this nice riverview). Old building, well-kept, clean and classy. Spacious rooms with high ceilings... This hotel has the most fiendly staff I have ever seen. It looks like they consider you a member of the family. Also, their advises about local restaurants were always great. I'd surely be happy to stay there again. Avise: pack your slippers. The floor in my room was tiles, not your usual carpet. Surely help to be clean, but...

The Queen Victoria Hotel is located right on the Arno River in the middle of Pisa. It's probably within walking distance of the train station, but we caught a taxi (about 6 Euro).

The hotel itself can only be described as 'charming'. We reached our room up a wide staircase, flanked by guest rooms or sitting rooms. There seemed to be any number of these big open rooms; apart from the breakfast room, I have no idea what they were all used for. Though, in keeping with the name, I could imagine any number of nineteenth century English travellers relaxing in them with a drink and a journal at the end of a hard day's sightseeing.

Our room was huge; a long rectangle, it contained a bed, dressing table, tv, wardrobe, armchairs and a chest of drawers placed intermittently along its length. I would classify these things as 'period' furniture, though weren't necessarily all from the same period.

And the location was excellent. Right on the river, within easy walking distance of the leaning tower and next door to what is surely one of the best pizzerias in all of Italy. The staff were friendly and helpful, and everyone we came across spoke English.