"Where did they get the 4*'s from?
We stayed here for two nights during our trip through Tuscany. Unfortunately, we did not enjoy our stay at all.
The official photos of the rooms and the property must be quite old. In reality, everything looks much more worn than shown in the pictures, at least in our room and in the public areas. In some places - especially our room - , the condition was quite poor (see attached photos).
The restaurant area was particularly disappointing and felt more like a neglected cafeteria than a hotel restaurant. Some curtains were torn, and there was a clearly visible water stain on the ceiling.
Although outdoor seating was theoretically available, it was not an appealing option at all. The area felt neglected and uncomfortable. To make matters worse, some guests used it as a smoking area even though it was not designated as one. Did anyone from the hotel address this during our two-day stay? No.
The biggest issue, however, was that we felt like second-class guests. The hotel is used every day, yes, literally every day, by large tour groups arriving by coach.
Understandably, these groups generate significant revenue...
In our impression, these groups were assigned the quieter and probably better rooms. They also seemed to receive preferential treatment at breakfast, were separated in the dining area.
Unfortunately, some members of these groups behaved quite inconsiderately during our stay, and the staff did not intervene. Our room was located more or less directly next to the reception area and offered very poor sound insulation. The first night was awful. There was constant traffic around reception, guests coming and going, people asking questions, and conversations til very late.
In addition, guests stood in front of the hotel smoking (designated zone) and talking loudly almost directly in front of our room, while others on our corridor seemed unable to keep their voices down late into the night. While the hotel is not entirely responsible for the behavior of its guests, nothing was done to address the situation.
Considering the nightly rate, which was among the higher-priced accommodations on our trip, we felt the value for money was simply not there. We paid for a four-star hotel but received what felt more like a hostel experience. Changing rooms was not an option, as the hotel was fully booked.
At breakfast, we also had the "pleasure" of finding no plates available and, at times, no cutlery either. We had to wait because the staff could not keep up with washing dishes due to the large tour groups. Not exactly what one expects from a four-star hotel. The buffet itself was acceptable, with a sufficient selection of food and hot drinks.
Free parking is available at the hotel. However, if you return later in the evening, you may find yourself having to drive all the way around the building to find a space. The parking area at the back was poorly lit and did not feel particularly comfortable at night.
Overall, I cannot recommend this hotel. Siena is a wonderful city and is in need for another good four-star hotel. Given the limited choice, many travelers end up at the Executive, where unfortunately there is very little that feels truly "executive.""
