Villa Medicea di Poggio a Caiano

Very nice hotel in quiet (relatively) San Croce. Very walkable to everything. Clean rooms w views. Great breakfast and service. Only issue was check in - deceptive advertising of kids free but staff disputed vehemently. Although this is likely a US vs italy custom- this should be made clearer (Eg strict registration policy for kids despite free stay w existing bedding noted on web site and other internet sources ) to avoid the significant stress we experienced at check in - in addition to lecture from staff. We did not feel welcomed initially - but - to the credit of the management- they did find a way to accommodate- and this is the bottom line and reason for 5 star recommendation overall. I travel extensively (w st Regis stay on our next stop in Venice just completed) and would stay at Relais San Croce again despite confusion. Check out clerk was excellent on March 14 2023 in early afternoon.

The property is extremely well appointed from a design standpoint, but there is a serious lack of sufficient staffing to operate at the standards of a five star hotel. There is no one around in the evening except one person at the front desk who is trying to check in latecomers, order taxis, make dinner reservations and deliver room service. The bar was closed and there is no restaurant other than at breakfast. Room service is a bar type menu, I cannot quite fathom how you can design such a beautiful hotel and not staff it properly. Plus the parking is very tricky, and the streets surrounding the hotel are high traffic, busy streets with buses and trams. The neighborhood is not that far from the center but the walk is quite unattractive. It is, however, close to the train station, so that is a positive if you are arriving by train. I drove. I would consider staying again only when they finish the spa, restaurant and bar. In the meantime, one should prepare to seek out these facilities elsewhere. A positive recommendation goes to Klaudija and Matteo. They did their best to help me…

A very beautiful and old Villa in the outskirts of Florence. Some wear and tear included.