Biondi hotel

It is a somewhat dated hotel; however, the staff is very kind and helpful. Our room was on the sixth floor, very spacious and clean. We were able to stay with our dogs, and near the hotel, there is a very nice public park ideal for letting them run around. As for the restaurant service, we took advantage of the breakfasts and dinners. The dinners were more than satisfactory, while the breakfasts could be improved. In particular, on the last morning there was a group of Asian tourists, and we noticed that they were not treated very kindly by the dining staff. However, this did not concern us, but we were sorry to see it. I would also add that the hotel has a pool on the first floor of a building located on the other side of the street; the pool is covered and open on one side, unfortunately it does not have hot tubs, but it is pleasant for a short break.

Prior to the holiday I did check the website and reviews for Hotel Biondi, and was a little concerned to read some that said it was “tired looking” and not the 4-star rating that it was supposed to be, but some other hotels we have stayed at in Italy could have been described in a similar way, but turned out to be very nice and comfortable so I was prepared to make my own judgements once we were in Montecatini. Yes, I can honestly say we were disappointed with this hotel.  The bedrooms were of a good size and the air-con worked well, but the furnishings were of a very cheap standard, MDF or plyboard cupboards, skirting boards taped up with black tape, mould on the bathroom ceiling, not enough shelf space in the bathrooms for our toiletries (the supplied soaps and shower gels were never supplemented after day 1).  But on the positive side towels and bedlinen were changed almost every day which was good during the hot weather.  Similarly, the public spaces seem to have been cheaply furnished and the decor was very basic, and the lifts were totally inadequate for the number of rooms and people using them'..  Certainly not a 4-star standard.  However, putting aside the above comments about the hotel, I now come to the main point which spoiled the holiday, and it was the food served in the restaurant of Hotel Biondi.  I can honestly say it was the worst most unappetizing food I have ever tasted in over 50 years travelling the world, and in some very third world countries. After our third meal I had to resort to complaining to the management of the hotel about the quality (examples being pasta with no sauce just dry pasta,  vegetable burger that looked and tasted like cardboard, scrambled egg which was crusty as it had sat in the tray so long and bacon swimming in fat, bread rolls that were as hard as rock and difficult to cut into).  I told them that we would not be eating there again after day 3 and we subsequently ate very well at the local restaurants. There were other guests at the Biondi who never ate in the hotel after the first day, so I do not think we were the only ones not satisfied with the quality. We did not expect gourmet cuisine, . just palatable food.  After all, Italy is known for good food which is part of a foreign holiday experience.  I would not give this hotel a 4-star rating more likely barely a 2-star. There are better hotels in Montecatini at more reasonable prices. I for one would not stay here again after this bad experience. .

Stayed here as part of Newmarket holiday trip. Very dated hotel (think 1970s) - reminded us of Fawlty Towers with its very own Basil!🤣 Rooms are dated but immaculately clean and comfortable- thankfully we upgraded to a balcony room and really appreciated the additional outside space. Food was a mixed bag - basic breakfast but we always managed to eat something. Didn’t like the set meal each evening with limited choice - but guess this was due to us being on a tour - start of the week the food was very poor but after several complaints the quality of food did improve. Shame that not enough fresh produce used - lots of tinned fruit, frozen fish and the only veg choice being a prepared bowl of salad to share at table and very little in the way of authentic Italian food. Luckily there are loads of excellent restaurants nearby which serve authentic fresh food (so best advice is to budget for the additional expense if you want to experience true Tuscan food and drink)