Grand Hotel Tamerici & Principe

Is not a 4 stars hotel, neither the services, neither the furniture. But the breakfast and the piscine are good.

Review: Hotel Terme Tamerici & Principe, Monticelli Terme Positives: The hotel is well-located for exploring Tuscany and is just a 40-minute drive from Pisa Airport. Monticelli Terme itself is a charming and convenient small town, offering good local shops and restaurants at reasonable prices. Housekeeping standards at the hotel are high — rooms are cleaned thoroughly and regularly. Negatives: General Condition: The hotel has clearly not seen significant investment or refurbishment in over 20 years. It feels tired and neglected. The exterior is particularly run-down: wood is rotting, canopies are torn and faded, rusted lights and flagpoles dangle precariously — not exactly a warm welcome. Rooms: Rooms are dated, and much of the furniture is chipped or poorly repaired. Any updates appear to have been done cheaply, with visible signs of shoddy craftsmanship. Restaurant: The restaurant has an old-school charm, but it’s also stuck in the past. Service feels outdated, though the food itself is of good quality. The menu is quite limited, and if you’re vegetarian or vegan, you’ll struggle to find suitable options. Bar: The bar has a definite 1970s vibe — and not in a good way. It likely hasn’t been redecorated since then. That said, the bar staff are friendly, and there’s a decent drink selection. Prices, however, are steep — you’ll save money by walking to a nearby spot. Facilities: The gym is basic to say the least — one treadmill, a stationary bike, an elliptical, and a multi-use weight machine. The pool is in poor shape, showing signs of long-term neglect. Cracked surfaces, old loungers, rusty tables, and worn-out lamps all point to a lack of maintenance and reinvestment. Reception Staff: This was the biggest disappointment. The reception staff were cold, dismissive, and at times outright rude. It often felt like they were doing me a favor by allowing me to stay. When I asked for the air conditioning to be turned on due to uncomfortable heat, I was told it was “illegal” to use AC in April in Italy — a bizarre and clearly false excuse. We were also told that breakfast bags and coffee would be provided for early excursions, only to be told to “come back at 7:30” when we showed up. No apology — just a begrudging handover of food once several other guests backed us up. Final Thoughts: While the maitre d’, bar staff, and cleaning crew were professional and courteous, the attitude of the front desk team overshadowed everything. It created a toxic environment that ruined what could have been a pleasant stay. In short, this hotel is in a great location — but it’s outdated, poorly maintained, and the front-of-house service is unacceptable. I wouldn’t return, and I wouldn’t recommend it until significant changes are made.