Grotta Giusti Thermal Spa Resort Tuscany, Autograph Collection

We'd been looking forward to Grotta Giusti for a long time, but the stay was disappointing. At €350+ a night, the value just isn't there. We arrived at 7 PM and were told the pool stayed open until midnight, then learned that "Swimming Under the Stars" was only for outside guests paying €35. As hotel guests paying ten times that, we couldn't use it. Regular pool hours, 10 AM-7 PM, are very limited, and grotto visits require appointments from 10 AM to 5 PM, with a long lunch break. The grotto also costs extra. The grotto itself was incredible and unique, but I'd suggest staying elsewhere and booking a day pass for the grotto and thermal pool to avoid the frustrations of the hotel. Breakfast was especially poor for a five-star place: limited choice, cold food, and the same things every day. They even charge an extra €6 for a fried egg. The rooms are small, with no climate control, so ours was uncomfortable even in April. On our last day the pool had been drained. We were offered a discount for the grotto, but that didn't make up for only getting to use the pool once during our three-night stay. If you expect a true five-star experience, I'd strongly suggest looking elsewhere.

The staff are what made our stay unforgettable. Marco, Luigi, and everyone else went above and beyond to give us the best possible experience. The hotel is peaceful, luxurious, and fun, with great facilities, and the grotto absolutely can't be missed. Probably the best hotel experience I've ever had. Perfect for adults and couples!

Our favorite part was the pool. It was warm, pretty, peaceful, and not too crowded, and we liked having lunch from the cafe beside it. We booked a day package with the meditarium circuit, outdoor pool, and grotto, plus two Swedish massages. The circuit was fine for some sauna time and switching between hot and cold, though nothing special. The massages were great, relaxing, and nice, but not as firm as American massages. The cave was cool to walk around and sit in the heat for a while. It was a fun, unusual experience, and that's part of the point of traveling.

We only stayed one night in a fairly basic room, but they treated us like royalty. They upgraded the room, let us check in early, and after we mentioned my birthday, had prosecco on ice and cake waiting in the room. The outdoor pool was warm enough for swimming, and the extensive indoor spa was clean and fun to explore. Dinner was memorable, even for us living in Tuscany. The scallop antipasti and filet with green peppercorn sauce stood out. Such a special resort, especially in the off-season when it felt like we had the place to ourselves.