The Westin Excelsior, Florence
5 Stars - 3 Reviews and 528 Opinions
Piazza Ognissanti 3, Florence, Tuscany, 50123, Italy
Check rates and availability
-
Show Prices
-
Show Prices
-
Show Prices
-
Show Prices
-
Show Prices
-
Show Prices
-
Show Prices
-
Show Prices
-
Show Prices
-
Show Prices
-
Show Prices
-
Show Prices
View all Florence hotels
-
Florentine Luxury
by nicolaitan
This magnificent 5 star hotel occupies a 7 century old palace overlooking the Arno River and within easy walking distance of all the museums, cathedrals, shopping, and best restaurants. Fully renovated about 8 years ago, it has about 170 luxurious rooms, a fitness center, a business center, and a top flight but very expensive il Cestello restaurant on the roof overlooking Florence. The large lobby and ground floor bar are done in marble with huge marble columns. The rooms are understandably luxurious - I have included a picture of our bathroom - unbelievable. For those who drive, access from the south and west is very easy and over several stays here totalling perhaps 3 weeks we have always been able to find on-street parking on the adjacent Borgo Ognissanti. The AutoEurope office is but 1/2 a block away.
Unique Quality: For those planning on spending 6 or more days here, be advised that we played a little scam on the desk staff and got a great upgrade. Send me an e-mail - serious customers only, it's a lot of typing.
-
Deluxe River View
by Robachu1
A beautiful hotel conveniently located near the main sights of Florence. We walked everywhere and knew that if we lost our direction we need only head for the river and we'd be able to find our hotel. The hotel staff was helpful, friendly, and attentive. Rooms are comfortable and appealing. Beds are comfortable. Noise from other rooms seems to travel through the air conditioning/heating ducts. All necessary amenities are available. Internet connection was 16 euros for 24 hours. 24 hour internet plus in room movies was 25 euros.
We booked through the American Airlines Vacation website for $388.17 per night.
Directions: Santa Maria Novella, Arno River
More about The Westin Excelsior, Florence
A fine stay at the Westin Excelsior
by A TripAdvisor Member
We just returned from a 3 day stay at the Westin Excelsior. We enjoyed the hotel's lovely old world style on the River Arno. We received a Starwood upgrade to a room with a balcony overlooking the river. We had a panoramic view of the river that we thoroughly enjoyed.
The bathrooms were plush and well appointed. The bed was extremely comfortable. The room was quiet when the exterior blinds were closed...made for a great night's sleep. We were welcomed with a chilled bottle of champagne. One night we received a whole box of Baci chocolates....much appreciated. We did not eat breakfast at the hotel....it was expensive and there were many fine restaurants in the area that we wanted to try instead.
The concierge was helpful...had no problem with taxis...they called us metered ones...were not ripped off by the drivers.
On the downside, the rooms have fabric wallpaper...they seemed to be a bit dusty.
We will stay there again on our next visit to Florence.
Great stay in the best hotel in town!
by TripAdvisor Member hankethomson
We had booked through the website of Westin and found a nice rate at this hotel (they say, you get the best rates guaranteed on their site). We arrived pretty late that January evening and there was slight rain. A porter came hasting towards our taxi to greet us with an umbrella and our luggage had already been brought into the lobby and then the room before we ourselves arrived there! Staff is so friendly! Having traveled a lot to other five star hotels, where you sometimes get a rather snobbish attitude, I must say that at the Westin Excelsior in Florence the experience was breathtaking. The concierge was very helpful and room service was fast and extraordinary friendly.
The room we stayed in (unfortunately without a river view) was much larger than we had expected and had a beautiful terrace overlooking the city. They call these penthouse rooms and the rooms deserve their name.
Overall the hotel is very luxurious and stands out very proudly on the banks of the Arno river. We had an unforgettable experience in a truely magnficent city!
Expected Better
by A TripAdvisor Member
We just returned from Florence where my husband, myself and our young son stayed at the Westin Excelsior for two nights. On the positive side, the front desk and concierge were very gracious and helpful at all times. The rooms are large and clean and the bathroom was impressive.
On the negative side, we found the breakast option to be quite poor for a five star hotel. First, it was outrageously expensive and the food options were quite limited. We ordered a la carte and was disappointed with the quality of the food. Second, when leaving the hotel to go to the train station we asked the hotel to hail us a taxi. Instead of calling a regular metered taxi, they put us into a private taxi that apparently did not have a meter. When we arrived at the train station which is literally a three to five minute ride from the hotel, we were told that we owed 27 euros for the ride. To put things into perspective, our train tickets from Florence to Siena (duration: 1.5 hours) cost us a third of the taxi ride. Third, we asked the hotel to arrange to have a baby sitter for our 15-month old son while we enjoyed a dinner in Florence. My husband and I have stayed at many fine hotels in Europe and used this service several times. While the babysitter was fine, again we found the hotel's attempt to charge excessive rates to be very disappointing. The hotel charged 20 euros per hour while other comparative hotels usually charge anywhere between 10-15 euros. Lastly, I was very disappointed when my earrings mysteriously disappeared from our room. We searched everywhere and could not find them in the place that I left them the night before. While I cannot direct blame to any individual, it certainly did not contribute to our experience at this hotel.
In conclusion, the hotel's location and appearance is superb, but we were genuinely disappointed with the hotel's policy of offensive and excessive charges.
Stay at this gem on the arno!
by TripAdvisor Member SisterMoon_8
Our family were fortunate to have found the historic and sophisticated Westin Excelsior and enjoyed our stay there immensely. Having heard of it's reputation first as the home of the Medici Family and then as hotel to literary, diplomatic and silver screen giants, we decided to give it a try and were glad that we did. Not the place for the bargain traveler, but for those with a taste for and the means to enjoy elegance and luxury, everything for us was just right. This hotel was the ideal base from which to explore the artistic wonders Florence and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. The rooms were spacious and very comfortable with wonderful beds and striking views of the Arno River and the Tuscan hillsides from our balconies. We had rooms on the fourth floor (#428 for my 17-year old neice who loved her room and #430 for us), above the noise of the frontage road that runs along the river and we do recommend that other travelers request rooms on the higher floors with river views. The service at the hotel was excellent and friendly. We were greeted with a lovely fruit basket on our arrival and the porter was quick to being us ice as requested (they understand how necessary it is for Americans to have lots of ice!). Restaurant recommendations were spot on and the inside tips from the friendly concierge was welcome and handy. The bar and restaurant are a bit dated, but the food and service was excellent and experiencing the old world charm was really fun - it added much to the charm of our stay and Florentine experience. Lots of Groups stay at this hotel and they have special events that locals frequent so it is a busy, vibrant place, but that's good because it only means that the hotel will be there when we return to our beautiful Florence!
Very Impressive
by TripAdvisor Member sunveggie7
We walked to the hotel from the train station and the doorman literally ran into the street to help us with our bags. The room was surprisingly big (very high ceilings) and luxurious, overlooking the Arno River. The bathroom was very nice as well. The concierge could not have been more friendly and accomodating, made you feel very comfortable and welcome. The evening lounge included a wonderful piano player singing American songs...lots of fun. I would certainly recommend this hotel.
Excellent
by TripAdvisor Member Frances235
We just returned from a 10 night stay at this fabulous hotel. We stayed here with Starwood Points and we were given one of the largest rooms on the entire floor (saw the blueprint of the floor as we got off the elevator). We were right on the river and had a beautiful view all the way to the Ponte Vechio. We especially loved the sound of the church bells every morning. We had complimentary wine in our room upon arrival and about the 5th night, returned to our room to find a box of Godiva chocolates. Not to be confused with the Godiva chocolates that you will find on your pillow each night with turn down service! We also recieved a bottle of Italian Olive Oil on our last night!! Impeccable service from the front desk...everyone was so polite and gracious and gave us wonderful service. One of the most memorable hotel experiences we have ever had!!
somewhat overrated
by TripAdvisor Member enchantedemma
we had expected much more of this hotel given the hype around it. while it is well located within the city, the hotel is fairly old and out-moded. our room was relatively small and faced an interior courtyard with views of other rooms and not much light (and this was considered a Starwood preferred room). It was also very stuffy in the room and after trying valiantly to get some air moving, we were told that the central air system had not yet been turned on for the season. The only thing they could do for us was bring a fan to the room which helped a bit. The hotel restaurant was very expensive and the food fairly average. Overall - an ok experience but definitley not great...
Forum Posts
Train Station to Westin Excelsior
by Robachu1
It is my understanding that the main train station in Florence is approx three blocks from the Westin Excelsior Hotel. Normally we would think nothing of walking. However, my wife and I will have one standard size hard-sided suitcase on wheels each. On smooth surfaces these suitcases are very easy to push/pull however on cobblestone etc. they can be difficult. If anyone is familiar with this area, could you tell me your opinion of walking from the station to our hotel. For only three blocks it seems almost silly to take a taxi.
Re: Train Station to Westin Excelsior
by nicolaitan
it is more than three easy blocks of walking. between smn and the excelsior is the old town with winding streets and many without automotive access. take the taxi - yes it goes out of the way but it has to, and even so it isn't that far.
Re: Train Station to Westin Excelsior
by Robachu1
Thank you. I will follow your advice.
Re: Train Station to Westin Excelsior
by davidben01
good information.
Re: Train Station to Westin Excelsior
by TOPSHELFPUBCRAWLER
I have stayed there and arrived via train from Rome. Definitely take a taxi. Since you do not know where you are going and it is not very navigable with luggage. You will very much appreciate the convenience.
Enjoy your trip.
Re: Train Station to Westin Excelsior
by gial1
cobblestone is almost everywhere in the city center... I am lazy and I would take a taxi!!!! But you can do it if you want to walk...
View all Florence hotels
View all Florence hotels
Latest Florence hotel reviews
- Villa Camerata Youth Hostel
- 36 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 13, 2013
- Berchielli
- 471 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 18, 2013
- Hotel Il Bargellino
- 279 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 4, 2013
- Hotel Fiorita
- 241 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 8, 2013
- Hotel Adam
- 8 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 5, 2010
- Residence Hilda
- 239 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 11, 2013
- Grand Hotel Minerva
- 547 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 12, 2013
- Alloro B&B
- 303 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 28, 2013
- Hotel Paggeria Medicea
- 41 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 12, 2013
- Hotel Olimpia
- 81 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 16, 2013
- Albani Firenze
- 279 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 18, 2013
- Athenaeum Hotel
- 216 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 17, 2013
- B&B (For Women Only)
- 9 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 25, 2012
- Hotel Londra
- 234 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 8, 2013
- Soggiorno Panerai
- 198 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 12, 2013
The Westin Excelsior, Florence
We've found that other people looking for this hotel also know it by these names:
- Westin Florence
- Florence Westin
- The Westin Excelsior Florence Hotel Florence
Address: Piazza Ognissanti 3, Florence, Tuscany, 50123, Italy
Sign in with Facebook
Comments