Bagni di Pisa

This place is a hidden gem--well, not exactly hidden--close to the local rail line to Lucca and Pisa. The staff is simply outstanding--helpful and friendly. The spa treatments are as good as I have had in the US and many are better. The spa staff really attempts to fit the treatments to the person. It was a terrific 4 days of pure relaxation after an active hiking, biking, walking tour of Tuscany.

We had the most amazing and relaxing stay at this historical hotel resort spa! Our room was the best suite we ever had. We have been to so many hotels and spas but this place is really top notch specially for someone looking for relaxation, hotel quality, arts, history, healing and family time. The staff were super polite and helpful, the thermal pools are naturally hot at 38C and some has lower temperature whic are safe for our kid. The food is delicious and I am impress that they still use real silver cutleries and porcelain utensils. It is what it is claiming about, a 5 star hotel💫,providing everything you would need. The hotel is used to be the Grand Duke of Tuscany's palace so it is has a lot of al fresco on its ceilings, marbled corners and tables, a cozy garden, beautiful ancient architectural designs esp. at the hotel bar. Everything is just magical and grand. Lastly, for transportation, it is so accessible by train from Florence Italy station to Pisa, one can grab a Taxi from Pisa Station to the hotel which costs 20€ or take two trains for 45 mins and do a 5 minute walk when you reach Pisa. We are actually planning to go back very soon!

We stayed at the Bagni di Pisa for 3 nights at the start of a tour of Tuscany and wanted a base close to Pisa airport as we were arriving in the evening. A charming traditional Hotel set in the sleepy town of San Giuliano Terme it fitted the bill perfectly as there were none of the problems associated with parking in the centro storico of the larger Italian cities, so a great base to explore Pisa, Lucca and the coast around Viareggio. We loved our room with quirky mezzanine siting area reached by a spiral staircase and the bathroom was spacious with a separate shower and very well designed. We ate breakfast at the Hotel, and had dinner there twice - they kindly made us great mushroom risotto very late on the evening we arrived - and thought the food was very good as was the service. They have a serious spa with a full range of treatments and thermal pools - very soothing at the end of a day sightseeing. It was a very relaxing start to our visit of this lovely area.

Booked on the basis – it was accessible by train – a top rated hotel – offering half board – with a spa …. We tested the first condition out immediately – we flew into Pisa – caught the People Mover to Pisa Centrale – then rode 2 stops on a train bound for Lucca – arrived at the station with weary commuters – no taxis so started walking – eventually guided by a gentleman picking up his prescription from the pharmacy … So it is out of the station past the parked cars – up to the main road after the pharmacy – 100 metres to a crossing – then over a bridge into the park – turn right – follow path past a restaurant and then through a gap – no more than 50 metres - turn left after shop on the corner and the hotel is in front of you about a further 50 metres away through a set of gates – 5-7 minutes walking on the flat with wheeled cases Once at reception the experience began – easy check-in – then guided by lifts to bar and restaurant – and to our room We had booked a superior double – for our 5 night stay from 15 May 2017 – but as the hotel was not full – more like empty which was most apparent at dinner with the number of empty tables - we were up graded to room 314 which was described as a suite – thank you The room was large with a reception area – down a hall – bathroom on right - largish shower - well controlled and constant pressure and heat – with towels changed twice daily - hanging and storage with safe on left- into sitting area with large settee armchair low table fridge flat-screen TV desk and chair – then left into bedroom with large comfy bed which was changed every day plus bedside tables and chest of drawers with another flat-screen TV – understated luxury – large shuttered windows – in-room adequate Wi-Fi but failed newspaper test – there are air conditioning controls but it hadn’t been switched on – pity because whilst we could open the windows it was noisy with the usual Italian sounds – late at night and early in the morning – and yes, you could see the Tower in the distance over the rooftops At the entrance there are signs to show it is part of the leading hotels of the world and has 5 stars – and at times it felt like a 5 star hotel – uniformed service at dinner and in the bar – towels replaced in evening - but it doesn't feel opulent and you begin doubt whether it is a real 5 star hotel We took the half-board package as there didn’t seem to be many local options – which appears to be the case in reality – breakfast is an extensive buffet which includes scrambled eggs cooked tomatoes pancetta and sausage on a hot plate with cooked options available to order at additional cost – no problems with choice or variety - good coffee - dinner is a 5 course option with certain items at an extra cost – the dinners were well cooked and generally tasty - but the items did not change during our stay which was limiting - wine by the glass or bottle The Spa is extensive and is spread over 2 areas – hotel guests and day visitors are distinguished by different coloured dressing gowns – there appears to be the full array of thermal pools - both indoor and outdoor on the roof – ones that have hydro jets – ones that replicate the Dead Sea – my favourite- saunas and steam rooms – full selection of treatments – that seemed expensive compared to our experiences both at home and abroad Any drawbacks – apart from the lack of air conditioning and noise – slippers but no bathrobes - initially there were no hot drink facilities in the room – remedied on request but with tea only – bought coffee – got fresh milk from restaurant – also it is an old building and appears haphazard in its design – there are 2 lifts that take you from different parts of the building – there are also sets of stairs that have come straight out of Hogwarts – and corridors appear to go on forever – our corridor on 3rd floor was blocked every afternoon when the restaurant closed its doors We enjoyed our time – we dipped into the Spa – we used the train to get to places – cheap and easy to use – although it has to be noted that there aren't any trains on the line from 11.00 to 12.30 – so plan your journey – the room was reasonably comfortable but noisy – food and service was good – and the local town met our needs – wine beer and ice cream However as our time wore on we became less and less engaged with the hotel – restaurant staff were less attentive and engaging – polite welcomes but no more – no little extras to reflect the length of our stay – courses took longer to arrive – having to ask for menus and to sign for items – and finally an overwhelming feeling that this hotel has no soul very little charm and a lack of personality – thank you

The hotel is about a 25 minute drive from the airport. In my opinion, it's well worth staying outside of Pisa, the traffic is crazy and parking is difficult. The hotel is super impressive from the outside and when you're up the Tower you can clearly see it in the distance at the base of the hill. I debated whether to give it 5 stars but I couldn't not. It is very old world, like stepping back in time. The restaurant is very old school and save for the humdrum of fellow diners and the waiters it would have been in complete silence. The bar was empty with the barman becoming so overly friendly as you walked in you immediately regretted it. We were brave enough to walk back out - otherwise we'd have been in this giant bar area with just one other elderly couple. The staff are so friendly and helpful, they really make the place. The pools are excellent, make sure you allow time to enjoy them, especially the outside one which is nicely hidden! Breakfast is simple and dinner is very traditional but most importantly, the food is excellent and fresh - the tomatoes were, even by Italian standards, superb! We stumbled upon a little trial up the hill to a viewing point, up from the patio at the back (the opposite door to the bar) and the views and sunset were incredible. Don't come here in full tourist mode, make sure you allow yourself plenty of time and don't book the Tower until lunchtime at the earliest, you'll want to enjoy the pools, breakfast and be relaxed going to jostle for parking in Pisa!