booked through SPG.com with starwood points. cost 25,000 points a night, well worth it. stayed 2 nights in Oct 2007

truly an amazing hotel. we were tired from our train ride, and as soon as we walked in the concierge asked how we were. throughout the stay, the staff was helpful and courteous.

the room was amazing, looking over the river- spacious and comfortable, close walking distance to the uffizi and everything else.

only negatives
- room wasn't ready by 3pm check in time. had to leave and return.
- restaurant they suggested make me sick
- allot of rich snobby people stay there
- no continental breakfast when using starwood points.
- room service is expensive. really expensive.

We were given a beautiful room with a large balcony with a table and chairs overlooking the courtyard in the front of the hotel and the Arno. The rooms are huge and classy with top of the line furnishings and linens.

Service at this hotel is fantastic, as was the food from room service (excellent fish that was reasonably priced). They also provided a complimentary bottle of wine (worth 37 euros on their menu).

Highly recommended.

My husband and I stayed here for 3 night during our honeymoon in September. I am a Starwood member so I received an upgrade upon my arrival. The room was huge - one of the biggest I have ever stayed in all of Europe. We were in room 430 and had a king sized bed, big bathroom and a balcony with views of the Arno and Ponte Vecchio. We got the honeymoon package which included breakfast in our room every day - a little annoying to have to schedule it every day so I would recommend going to the restuarant instead. The location was good - a little further away from the center of town which was good because it wasn't as loud and crowded. The staff was unbelievable - they shipped a bunch of our gifts we had purchase home (we received them all carefully wrapped and undamaged). They also arranged for an in-room massage in 40 minutes after the service wasn't offered anymore for the day. The hotel is wonderful but a little expensive considering some of the other values and great hotels in Italy.

Stayed at the Westin Excelsior at the beginning of October. I am a Starwood member and they upgraded us to a large room overlooking the Arno and included a free bottle of wine. It was a wonderful room, very elegant. The concierge staff was very helpful with various questions prior to my arrival as well as restaurant reservations etc. Housekeeping was a bit sloppy considering it's a 5 star - left wet cleaning rags on the night stands, used floor mats on the chairs. Good location, a little bit of a walk to the center but not far. Fairly expensive - Should include breakfast at those prices. Overall a very nice hotel.