Lovely old-school building in a great location across from the beach about a mile from downtown VIareggio. There's a bit of a disconnect if you are assigned one of the renovated rooms which have been done in a minimalistic modern style, with platform bed (that is in fact very comfortable) and all white decor. We visited in January so the one-star Michelin restaurant was not open, and we were told that it would not open until May. Only breakfast was available at the hotel. Luckily there are several good restaurants a short walk away. Service is okay - we had a problem with lack of internet for one day - but it eventually got fixed, and as there was no charge for internet use it's difficult to complain about that.

No wonder that Michelangelo loved this area where he stayed for months to select his marble for his famous statues. The Tuscan coast line, Versilia, is as beautiful as the french riviera Cote d'Azur and I specially like to stay there during the winter months, when it's less crowded and less expensive.
I've stayed in different hotels, but Principe di Piemonte in Viareggio is outstanding and is now my only choice.
The rooms are gorgeous, the restaurant is very good and the beautiful 'veranda' is my favourite place to sit and read the newspaper, have an afternoon coffee or a Prosecco before dinner (ask for the Prosecco Merotto). A huge buffet goes free with the aperitif! The hotel service is superb: The staff is professional, nice and never stiff and mechanic. There's definitely a very capable manager behind this!
I very much appreciate the upgrading to a room facing the ocean, which the hotel offers in case of not beeing fully booked. With the wellness-center, the open-air pool with heated water, the fitness room, the restaurant, the bar, you could stay without ever leaving the hotel, and your vacation/relax would be perfect, but I always try to take a tour up into the Carrara mountains where Michelangelo got his marble.
Thank you, Principe....I'll be back next winter

We've stayed at the Principe quite a lot over the years and the great thing about is that there's always something happening. We've had a Calvin Klein swimwear launch, Miss Italy, Formula 1 team exhibitions, pro cyclist charity rides, Placebo staying next door and an air show at the front door.

Each of the floors is decorated completely differently and we've pretty much tried them all. The top floor is the bedtime for us as all the rooms are large, airy and have a great view. Also, I love the minimalist look. Some of the rooms on the lower floors can be quite pokey to be honest but the staff have always been good at switching us if we've had a problem.

Talking of the staff, they've always been friendly, professional and helpful plus they make s mean mojito in the promenade cocktail bar.

The restaurant in the hotel has had its ups and frowns over the years and is currently pretty good.

The gym in the hotel is actually very good and hardly used. The swimming pool is great for lounging (including the in pool Jacuzzi beds) but is useless for actually swimming.

Now the downside, the hotel has become more and more expensive over the years and is currently eye wateringly costly for a decent size of room. With the change in cost has come a change in clientele. Quite a lot of particularly "entitled" and frankly rude people have been there in recent times.

If you want my advice, visit Viareggio in late June to avoid this issue (and get s bit better value). You'll obviously miss the opera festival (or carnivale in February) but the town is much nicer in June.

Wonderful location .This hotel takes you back in time, but in a good way. Great Imposing corner location on the main Viaregio strip, with quadrant marble steps leading to an impressive mahogany revolving door.

Once inside, the staff were dressed immaculately in dark suits. We were met by an English speaking receptionist who’s local knowledge and assistance was excellent. Our room was on the third floor and the journey to the floor was via one of two small mirrored lifts.

Once in our room, you immediately noticed the character of the hotel, almost English colonial, herringbone hardwood floors, cane furniture, ceiling fans and modern bathroom appliances in a 1900’s style. We had great views of the mountains.

Breakfast in the morning was in the large ball/dining room. A great place to start your day. The choice of breakfast items far exceeds any other European hotel I’ve stayed in.

The great thing about this hotel is the mix of classic old Italian and modern Italian. The rooms have character, yet still have comfortable beds and flat screen multi channel TV. towards the roof of the hotel you'll find high tech glass sliding door to the gym which is positioned next to the entrance to the roof top swimming pool. A real sun trap! fantastic views of the beach and the mountains.

There are complimentary bicycles available from the reception, these are essential for the promenade ride to the fantastic marina at Viaregio.

I didn't get the chance to visit, however this hotel also has a Michelin starred restaurant.