La Pia - Montecatini Terme, Italy 

We were expecting the worst from La Pia -- it was the least expensive hotel of our trip, and the price included breakfast. It's nothing fancy, but they try hard to make you feel as if it is. The room was smallish, but clean and fresh and very quiet. (Our window was at the side of the hotel... don't know about the front, though it is a fairly quiet side street.) comfy bed and pillows. The bathroom was fairly large and seemed newly redone. Common areas are smallish, but comfortable. There is a little not-quite-a-plaza area out front which is a nice place to sit and chat or have a drink. The staff was very helpful-- especially Pia-- who speaks very good english, and seems to anticipate every question you are going to ask, and answers with enthusiasm. we really returned to montecatini to go to grotta giusti... and she made sure we had towels and knew the ins and outs... informing us of their summer special (7E pool if you enter between 1 & 3) and even gave us a discount card for 10% off. she just couldn't have been more accommodating. breakfast was the usual, but slightly more choices than many. this hotel was cleaner, more comfortable and offered better service than some others at twice the price. (we paid 40E -- plus 6 for parking.) there is no on-street parking for several blocks, so if you have a car, it's really a must. the hotel is very close to the heart of town (just 1 block off) -- and about a 10 minute walk from the train station. we loved the hotel pia and couldn't wait to recommend it to others.

The best thing about this hotel is of course, Pia, the owner who speaks fluently 4 languages (Italian, of course, as well as English, German and French). She was so helpful in guiding our stay in Tuscany that it was a perfect one. We received a very comprehensive directiones and advice were to go and were not to and also how to get there best (for example don't use the car going to Florence). All the places she advised us to visit were magnificent so if you have a chance, please ask. The room was average, a little noisy as windows were to the outside. The breakfast was quite good. From my perspective, it is a good value for your money.