Hotel Calamidoro

More Disney than Tuscany

OK, firstly the "Hamlet" is better described as a retail outlet come industrial park and as donkey in "Shrek" says its "Far far far away" from anywhere of any interest. The hotel must have been designed by the creators of disneyland. The main pool and restuarant is a long walk or short drive away and the restuarant looks like a kitch pettrified forest in blue. As for the staff their attitude stinks. We booked and paid by credit card on the internet and at check in we were then asked to make the payment again........anyway, we confirmed with hotel.com that we had paid and shouldn’t make any further payment. The recepionsists inferred that we ’didn’t want to pay’ and we explained that we ’had already paid’ did’nt seem to rest easy with him. Rather than any apologies he complained that they were busy and that there were too many people on holiday, it wasnt a national holiday and frankly in this climate they should consider that a blessing rather than an inconvience. Anyway, he was clearly too busy to tell us where the restuarant or pool where and when I asked one of the other staff where the pool was he looked a tad put out and said "outside!" I mean how helpful can you be! We pulled him on his attitude and he did apologies but clearly they dont have enough staff and those that we encounterd were from the Fawlty Towers school of tourism. This is an expensive hotel thats delivers service below any budget hotel.

Avoid at all cost. Untypical of anything Tuscan, very typical of Disney and Fawlty Towers.

First Class Yet Again

Forth Time now and still beyond all our expectations. The Reception has moved to the Old Borg which makes it easier to sort any finer details. Staff are first class as is the service.

Traveller's tip on getting the most out of your stay

Hired a car this time on arrival at Pisa Airport. Only down side was the rude greeting from the hire car company operative when returning the car to the airport. A car is a lot cheaper option than taxis, as the hotel is located out in the country

Nice, but slightly odd location

This is an odd hotel - the reception is in a parade of shops and a petrol station, but then you are taken by road round to a gated property that is quite lovely, with lake and nice grounds. Hotel requires car to enjoy surrounding area as is in an industrial area. If you dont want to go far, there are a couple of places to eat next to the hotel, although the hotel restuarant did not meet our expectations, it was average. Most things seem to be closed on Monday evenings (not just at the hotel but in the local area as well), and there was a discoteque in the grounds that pumped out music into the early hours on the Tuesday evening. Best to check if this is a regular thing on a weekend if you think this may bother you. Room itself was lovely (junior suite) although was very warm (no air conditioning). Breakfast was lovely (salami’s, cheese, fruit, bread, pastries, yoghurt, cakes) and more than enough for everyone. Plus it was open until 11am each day.

Traveller's tip on getting the most out of your stay

you will need a car if staying here