Minerva Palace

Evista was the standout for customer service. I may have the spelling wrong, sorry, but she was superb and helped us plan our outings every day. She was always kind, and we really appreciated her. The hotel is dated, but charming, spacious, and eclectic in its decor. Breakfast and dinner had some great choices, and breakfast was delicious each day. It was also convenient to eat at the hotel. The train is within walking distance, and after trying it, we stopped using our rental cars. There’s a post office nearby for exchanging money, plus lots of shops and bistros.

We left our car in the hotel’s fenced parking lot and took the train everywhere. The station is only a three-minute walk away. Minerva Palace was a great base for our five summer days, with a perfect location and really reasonable prices. Our room on the fourth floor was clean, if a little small. Breakfast was excellent, especially the service, so thanks to Mariano for always being so nice. There’s also a rooftop terrace on that floor with a lovely view and a great evening atmosphere.

It was easy to find the hotel, and although there wasn’t street parking, the staff let us use the lot across the street, which was very convenient. They were friendly and helpful, and the room was comfortable. The bed and pillows looked doubtful at first, but were actually very comfortable. The bathroom was spacious too. The location made it easy to walk to restaurants and shops, and the train station is close by. We took the train to Florence and then Rome. Breakfast had plenty of choices, including fresh croissants, fruit, eggs, bacon, bagels, lots of juice, and coffee. We enjoyed it most mornings. There’s a bar with happy hour, though we were never around to try it. We booked through a travel package that included flights, a rental car, and the stay.

We’ve returned several times, including a stay of nearly a month, and I wouldn’t consider staying anywhere else. The staff at reception, in the restaurant, and in housekeeping are all incredible. They feel like family, only nicer. My friend Mark says the air conditioning is the best, since he likes things frosty. I always enjoy the welcoming breakfast, too. The location is convenient for exploring Tuscany. Florence and Pisa are both less than an hour away, and Lucca, a city I discovered and fell for, is only about 30 minutes away.