Royal Victoria Hotel
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Summary of reviewsThe Royal Victoria Hotel in Pisa garners significant praise for its prime location and historic charm. Nestled by the River Arno, the hotel is within walking distance of major attractions such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the central train station. Guests find its proximity to restaurants, bars and shops particularly convenient, enhancing their overall experience of exploring the city.
Breakfast at the hotel, while basic, is generally well-received for its simplicity and tasteful offerings, including fresh pastries, bread and quality coffee served by friendly staff. Although some guests feel the breakfast selection could be more varied, it provides good value for the price and a pleasant start to the day.
The hotel does not feature a full restaurant but offers a cozy bar with a limited menu and a delightful rooftop terrace for pre-dinner drinks. This, coupled with its location near numerous dining options, allows guests to easily find delicious and reasonably priced meals nearby.
Rooms at the Royal Victoria Hotel are spacious, featuring vintage decor and antique furnishings that complement its historic ambiance. Many rooms offer beautiful views of the Arno River, enhancing the overall charm. However, guests have noted that the rooms and bathrooms are in need of renovation with issues such as outdated furnishings, insufficient water pressure and cleanliness inconsistencies detracting from the experience. Noise from the street can also be a problem due to single-glazed windows.
Cleanliness reviews are mixed; some guests find the hotel notably clean and comfortable, while others report issues such as mould and dusty furniture. This inconsistency in maintenance suggests a need for more attentive housekeeping.
The staff at the Royal Victoria Hotel consistently receive high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness and professionalism. Their warm and welcoming demeanor, along with the ability to communicate effectively in multiple languages, enhances the guest experience significantly. Occasional less pleasant encounters with staff are noted but appear to be exceptions.
WiFi service at the hotel is a major downside with many guests reporting poor connectivity and weak signals, especially in rooms. Reliable internet access is largely confined to the reception area and the general consensus is that the WiFi needs substantial improvement.
Parking is available for an additional fee and while convenient, it is recommended to book in advance due to limited space. The parking area’s narrowness and challenging access are noted, particularly for those unfamiliar with the area.
Families particularly enjoy the hotel’s historic and friendly environment with staff going out of their way to make them feel at home, earning the hotel a loyal family following over the years. The hotel’s charm and convenient location make it an appealing choice for family stays despite minor concerns such as noisy spring mattresses.
Lastly, the hotel's central location means it is surrounded by a vibrant nightlife scene, popular among students. This advantage, however, comes with the caveat of significant nighttime noise, which may disturb light sleepers.
Overall, the Royal Victoria Hotel offers a unique and historically rich stay in Pisa with a superb location and friendly staff being its standout features. However, it struggles with maintaining modern standards in room amenities and cleanliness and improvements are needed in WiFi and soundproofing for a more comfortable guest experience.
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Breakfast at the hotel, while basic, is generally well-received for its simplicity and tasteful offerings, including fresh pastries, bread and quality coffee served by friendly staff. Although some guests feel the breakfast selection could be more varied, it provides good value for the price and a pleasant start to the day.
The hotel does not feature a full restaurant but offers a cozy bar with a limited menu and a delightful rooftop terrace for pre-dinner drinks. This, coupled with its location near numerous dining options, allows guests to easily find delicious and reasonably priced meals nearby.
Rooms at the Royal Victoria Hotel are spacious, featuring vintage decor and antique furnishings that complement its historic ambiance. Many rooms offer beautiful views of the Arno River, enhancing the overall charm. However, guests have noted that the rooms and bathrooms are in need of renovation with issues such as outdated furnishings, insufficient water pressure and cleanliness inconsistencies detracting from the experience. Noise from the street can also be a problem due to single-glazed windows.
Cleanliness reviews are mixed; some guests find the hotel notably clean and comfortable, while others report issues such as mould and dusty furniture. This inconsistency in maintenance suggests a need for more attentive housekeeping.
The staff at the Royal Victoria Hotel consistently receive high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness and professionalism. Their warm and welcoming demeanor, along with the ability to communicate effectively in multiple languages, enhances the guest experience significantly. Occasional less pleasant encounters with staff are noted but appear to be exceptions.
WiFi service at the hotel is a major downside with many guests reporting poor connectivity and weak signals, especially in rooms. Reliable internet access is largely confined to the reception area and the general consensus is that the WiFi needs substantial improvement.
Parking is available for an additional fee and while convenient, it is recommended to book in advance due to limited space. The parking area’s narrowness and challenging access are noted, particularly for those unfamiliar with the area.
Families particularly enjoy the hotel’s historic and friendly environment with staff going out of their way to make them feel at home, earning the hotel a loyal family following over the years. The hotel’s charm and convenient location make it an appealing choice for family stays despite minor concerns such as noisy spring mattresses.
Lastly, the hotel's central location means it is surrounded by a vibrant nightlife scene, popular among students. This advantage, however, comes with the caveat of significant nighttime noise, which may disturb light sleepers.
Overall, the Royal Victoria Hotel offers a unique and historically rich stay in Pisa with a superb location and friendly staff being its standout features. However, it struggles with maintaining modern standards in room amenities and cleanliness and improvements are needed in WiFi and soundproofing for a more comfortable guest experience.
Historic Hotel
This is the oldest hotel in Italy, with origins dating back to the 11th century as a guesthouse. It is housed in the historic Palazzo Aulla, incorporating medieval towers, and has been continuously managed by the same family since 1837. It has hosted numerous historical figures and retains significant architectural heritage.
Hotel for Honeymoon
Located on Lungarno Pacinotti, this hotel offers romantic views of the Arno River, creating a memorable ambiance for couples. Its central location allows for easy exploration of Pisa's attractions, enhancing the honeymoon experience.
Family Friendly Hotel
This hotel is listed as a top family-friendly hotel in Pisa. It may offer amenities suitable for families, though concrete details are not available in the provided data.
Dog Friendly Hotel
This hotel accommodates dogs and offers practical amenities for a comfortable stay. Its location and essential services make it a convenient option for pet owners visiting the city.
Dogs Stay Free
Hotel near Nightlife Spots
This hotel is ideally situated directly on Lungarno Pacinotti, a key street known for its vibrant nightlife with numerous bars and pubs. Guests have immediate access to riverside venues and the lively atmosphere of the Lungarno area.
Business Hotel
Royal Victoria Hotel provides essential amenities and services suitable for business-related stays.
Accessible Hotel
The hotel provides rooms and facilities for disabled guests, with confirmed wheelchair access and entire units being wheelchair accessible. Specific bathroom features mentioned include shower chairs and accessible showers, along with accessibility by lift to upper floors.
Hotel with EV Charging Stations
The hotel offers an electric car charging station available for parking customers. A supplementary fee of €5.00 per night applies for the use of the charging facility.
3-Star Hotel
Located in Pisa, this hotel provides a comfortable stay with easy access to the city's main attractions. It's a good option for travelers looking for a convenient and well-located accommodation.
Hotel where Dogs Stay Free
This hotel is a preferred option as it permits dogs to stay free. Its central location along the Arno River offers a pleasant setting combined with hotel amenities.
Hotel with Parking
EV charging stations
About Royal Victoria Hotel
License: IT050026A1PSXB6JTO
Guest Reviews
Location
Breakfast
However, there were also frequent remarks on the minimalistic and limited variety with some guests feeling the selection could be richer or include more hot options. Despite these limitations, the breakfast was often praised for its taste and value with some describing it as delicious and quite good. The breakfast room itself received compliments for its ambiance, offering a pleasant start to the day.
In summary, while the breakfast at Royal Victoria Hotel may not be extravagant, it generally meets guests' expectations with its simplicity, tasty offerings and good value. With a few more options, it could potentially satisfy a broader range of dietary needs and preferences.
Dinner
While the hotel does not have a full restaurant, it compensates with a limited bar menu. Guests should note that some dinners, like the San Ranieri event, may not always offer the best value for money. However, the hotel's prime location places it in close proximity to a variety of delicious and reasonably priced restaurants, making dining options plentiful and convenient.
Breakfast at the hotel seems to be a mixed experience. While some guests described it as good, plentiful and varied, others felt it was basic and lacked variety, not quite meeting the expectations for its hotel category. In particular, the absence of continental breakfast options and the simplicity of the buffet have been points of critique.
Despite these breakfast issues, the hotel's extra touches, such as delivering wine, bread and cheese to a guest's room after a missed dinner reservation, highlight the attentive and accommodating nature of the staff. This hospitality, combined with the hotel's historic charm and great location near restaurants and attractions, provides a unique and memorable stay for visitors.
Rooms
However, despite the aesthetically pleasing elements, numerous guests have noted that the rooms are considerably outdated and in need of renovation. The furnishing, while classic, often appears tired, broken or in disrepair and many bathrooms suffer from mould, insufficient water pressure and outdated fixtures. Cleanliness, too, has been inconsistent with reports of dusty, dirty areas and bad smells detracting from an otherwise nostalgic experience.
Soundproofing is another issue, especially for rooms facing the street, which tend to be noisy due to single glazing windows. Comfort levels are mixed, as some rooms lack air conditioning and adequate heating and bedding quality varies significantly. Modern amenities such as power outlets and functioning bathroom facilities are sometimes lacking, contributing to a less than ideal stay for some guests.
Overall, while the Royal Victoria Hotel offers large, character-filled rooms with beautiful river views, it struggles with maintaining modern standards of comfort and cleanliness and many areas require significant updates and repairs.
Beds
However, a significant number of guests reported issues with the beds. Common complaints included uncomfortable mattresses with numerous mentions of beds being old, squeaky and unstable. Some guests faced situations where single beds were joined to form a double bed, often leading to discomfort and movement during the night. There were also troubling reports of bed bug infestations and overall uncleanliness, including dirty beds and worn-out pillows.
The overall impression is that while some rooms may offer a satisfactory and comfortable sleeping experience, the quality and condition of the beds across the hotel appear inconsistent with numerous guests suggesting the need for significant upgrades to ensure a restful stay.
Cleanliness
However, the hotel is also described as old and in dire need of renovation with several reports of dirty and outdated bathrooms. Mould, cracked tiles and dusty furniture were common issues raised by guests. Some found the cleaning efforts insufficient with spiderwebs, dust and even stained linens detracting from their experience. The overall impression is one of an antiquated hotel with a measure of historic charm but significant inconsistencies in maintenance and thorough cleanliness, suggesting a need for more attentive housekeeping and modernization.
Staff
Several reviews mention the staff's ability to communicate effectively in multiple languages, including English, which enhances the guest experience. The hotel personnel frequently provide useful recommendations and are always available to help, adding a personal touch that many visitors appreciate.
However, it is important to note that there are occasional remarks about less pleasant experiences with certain staff members, although these seem to be exceptions to the general trend of positive feedback.
Overall, the Royal Victoria Hotel’s team is characterized by their kindness, efficiency and dedication to providing excellent service, which significantly contributes to the hotel's welcoming atmosphere.
Wi-Fi
Some encountered issues logging into the WiFi network, while others noted that only one person could use the connection at a time. A few reviews did highlight that in rare cases, a strong and excellent WiFi connection was present in certain rooms. However, the general consensus indicates that the overall WiFi experience is far from ideal and is an area that requires significant improvement.
In summary, if reliable and fast WiFi is essential for your stay, the Royal Victoria Hotel might not meet your needs, as many guests have faced persistent difficulties with internet access throughout their visit.
Parking
Guests have noted that the parking space is quite narrow, so it’s advisable to drive a small car. While the hotel parking is considered excellent by some, navigating to the parking area is complex and often problematic with unclear maps and challenging access, especially for those unfamiliar with the area.
Alternative parking options include nearby garages and street parking, though these can also be limited and sometimes involve extra costs. Some guests have had positive experiences with finding complimentary parking spaces nearby or using reserved spots, though these instances appear less frequent.
Overall, the convenience of having a garage adjacent to the hotel is offset by the need for better directions and improved parking space management. For a smoother experience, securing a reservation for parking ahead of time and preparing for the tight spaces are advisable steps.
Family
Stepping into Royal Victoria Hotel is like stepping into a museum, an experience appreciated by many. Families will find the staff exceptionally attentive, providing smiles and thoughtful surprises, such as a glass of bubbly and a book as a gift. The welcoming atmosphere is supported by helpful staff, ensuring that every family feels right at home.
Parking is made easier with the nearby Francesco Carrara square offering free parking options. While the hotel excels in creating a great environment for families, a minor concern was mentioned regarding the spring mattress bed which can be noisy with movement.
Overall, Royal Victoria Hotel has been a family favorite for over 190 years, providing a reliable and charming stay for those traveling with children. Despite a few minor concerns, the hotel's superb location and the family-friendly atmosphere created by its dedicated staff make it a great choice for a family getaway.
Nightlife
However, the vibrant nightlife comes with a trade-off. The streets around Royal Victoria Hotel can be very noisy, especially at night. Noise from bars, music and people partying often continues into the early hours of the morning. Guests have reported disturbances from drunk individuals yelling and social gatherings by the river. The sounds of traffic and street cleaners also add to the nocturnal noise level, making it challenging for light sleepers to get a good rest.
Despite the convenience of being in the heart of the city, the incessant noise may be a deal-breaker for some. It's important for prospective guests to be aware that the hustle and bustle doesn't cease at bedtime. Rooms with river views are particularly affected by these disturbances. Nonetheless, for those who prioritize a central location and don't mind the accompanying noise, Royal Victoria Hotel offers a prime spot for enjoying the vibrant nightlife and cultural landmarks of Pisa.
3 Star
Visitors appreciate the stunning views, particularly from the terrace on the 4th floor and note its proximity to local bars as a convenient perk. The hotel's vintage decor and grandeur, while valued by some, give a sense of faded glory and can appear a bit run-down to others.
Service is generally deemed adequate, suitable for a three-star establishment, though those expecting luxury may be disappointed. The breakfast is simple, aligning with the hotel's three-star status, but doesn't evoke any wow factor. The bathrooms, although outdated, are kept clean.
Overall, while there are no extraordinary amenities or luxury facilities, the Royal Victoria Hotel is a decent option for travelers looking for sufficient accommodations with a touch of historical charm.
Business
Despite the absence of fridges in the rooms and occasional issues with the WiFi network, the hotel maintains a high standard of business-class quality. Business travelers will find the hotel professional and accommodating with kind and competent staff readily available to assist. The quality-to-price ratio of the rooms is deemed excellent, making it a cost-effective option for work stays. Additionally, the availability of a garage directly in the hotel is a convenient feature for those traveling by car. Overall, the Royal Victoria Hotel is a business-friendly establishment that provides a solid environment for both work and relaxation.
Accessible
The hotel's location is notable for its proximity to key local attractions such as Francesco Carrara square and the easy access to the city center and train station. While there is accessible parking nearby, the hotel's free parking in Francesco Carrara square is a plus, although some have found the area to be dirty.
However, there are areas that may need improvement. Some guests faced difficulties with the steep ramp required to reach certain rooms and restricted access at times made wheelchair accessibility challenging. Additionally, while the hotel is well-maintained, specifics like the bathroom and lack of air conditioning could be upgraded for better comfort.
Overall, Royal Victoria Hotel has many positive aspects regarding accessibility but could benefit from a few improvements to cater even better to guests with disabilities.
Historic
The hotel holds significant historical value with guests marveling at its fascinating surroundings, well-preserved architecture and the rich array of antique decor. The ambience is consistently praised for its beauty and elegance, maintaining the character and decorum of a classic, bygone era. Steeped in history, the hotel serves as a striking landmark and is one of the oldest establishments in Italy, frequently capturing the imagination of its visitors.
Located in the heart of historic Pisa, the Royal Victoria Hotel boasts a captivating interior with period decoration and beautiful antique features. The rooms are classical, adorned with vintage items that evoke a deep sense of history. Guests often feel as though they are stepping back in time, experiencing a unique blend of ancient charm and historical immersion.
Furthermore, the building itself is an architectural gem, described as a historic structure with a storied past. Its charm and historical significance are emphasized by the majestic ambiance, evocative atmosphere and the preservation of its original features. Despite some suggesting that the hotel could use a refresh, its old-world charm remains unquarreled, making it a must-visit for those who appreciate historical authenticity and character.
In essence, Royal Victoria Hotel is not just a place to stay but a historic attraction in its own right, offering a magical dive into a bygone era with every visit.
Dog Friendly
No, Royal Victoria Hotel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Royal Victoria Hotel.
Yes, Royal Victoria Hotel welcomes dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Royal Victoria Hotel.
No, Royal Victoria Hotel doesn't have a gym.
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