San Ranieri Hotel - Pisa, Italy 

We stayed here for 5 nights, made our own way from the airport to the train station on the LAM Blue bus then another Lam Blu bus to the end of the hotel road, all for the cost of 2 euros! Buy a bus ticket at a tobac shop in station and validate ON the bus in yellow machine, tickets are 1 euro and last for an hour. The hotel is lovely but needs a swimming pool, great restaurant at the end of the road, watch what you order though, one meal 2 course cost us ?55.00! cheap pizzas though, the hotel is VERY expensive for drinks and meals, go to a local supermarket and get snacks, wine etc., small mini bar +fridge in room with hotels own bits in ( don't use very expensive) Fabulous buffett breakfast, loads of choice and ask if you want coffee, it is free but not on show, only tea. Most of the staff were fab, especially lady who runs the breakfast kitchen, reception no problem, except one short chap who was a misery, the girls were great. The hotel rooms were cleaned everyday and had fresh sheets and towels daily, all air con too. Free shuttle to the airport, (pre-book at reception) does'nt start till about 8am though, that was ok for us as flight back was 09.45am and only takes 10 mins to get there, great driver spoke english, very polite and is studying to be a vet. We had a good deal with 5th night free so room averaged at ?50 per night, very good value. The buses are no problem, or the trains, driving is a bit of a nightmare by car but does give you more freedom. We went to Florence by train cost about ?7.00 return well worth a visit I would not recommend this hotel for families as the kids would be bored stiff as nothing for them at all, fine for passing thru or short couple breaks.

I should start by saying that I do not recommend Pisa. My husband and I traveled with another couple, and we could not leave Pisa quickly enough. If you must stay the night in Pisa, I would recommend this hotel, however. The bed was comfortable and the women at the front desk were helpful. I will say that the decor is a bit odd and functionality sometimes suffers because of it. The bathroom did smell a bit due to poor ventilation and poor shower design, for instance. I do not recommend the restaurant in the hotel at all. The wait staff was rude. The menu was limited and expensive. The maitre'd literally rolled his eyes when we asked for parmesan cheese. I realize this may have been the equivalent of requesting ketchup for filet mignon, but the ravioli I ordered was in desperate need. It reminded me of Chef Boyardee. I would recommend the hotel to someone who absolutely had to go to Pisa, but never the restaurant. If you just want to see the tower (which really is impressive), I would recommend you make it a quick stop en route to another destination.