Hotel Gran Duca

Dinner at the hotel restaurant was the highlight. The pasta was perfectly cooked, the fried cod was fresh and light with lemon, and the tiramisu was the best I’ve ever had. I’m not much of a foodie, but every bite was lovely. The room had a comfortable bed and great air conditioning and heating, and I enjoyed people-watching from the window on Halloween 🎃. It’s clean and has a beautiful classic Italian look, though some floor tiles were broken and it could use a fresh coat of paint.

I was here for one night in October 2025 with my 8kg dog. The €15 pet charge wasn’t clear when I booked, though I understand it. Rooms are a bit dated but perfectly fine and spotlessly clean, and there’s an elevator. The hotel is right on the waterfront, but security walls separate it from the port, so Corsica Ferries is about 1500m away and too far to walk. A local bus runs directly from Stazione Centrale to the hotel. Buy a ticket, since transit police checked mine on all three rides.

We were stuck after our cruise ship docked across the street overnight and the port had closed by the time we got back from Florence. We were scrambling for somewhere clean, decent, and affordable to sleep. The staff were accommodating, and the room was good. Thanks, Hotel Gran Duca, for helping us out.

During my 12-day stay, while my husband was hospitalized in Livorno, the hotel staff were warm, friendly, and helpful. I want to thank them for getting me through it.