Florence train station,walk to hotel?

Old Feb 27th, 2008, 12:21 PM
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I understood Athena to mean that the staff of a high-class hotel like Helvetica & Bristol will act disdainfully if you walk instead of taking a taxi from the train station.
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Old Feb 27th, 2008, 12:26 PM
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and this is a reason to take a taxi - how does what there service entails then done poorer?

I construed it to mean throughout their stay they would be treated like trailor trash

that someone disdains me because they may not get a tip for taking my bags out of the taxi would not bother me at all.
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Old Feb 27th, 2008, 12:43 PM
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SnorkleSue - We had four persons, two adults, one teen and one 10 year old. We had WAY too much luggage for 4 people and we did manage to take a cab - we had to pass on a few in the cab line that were too small but some came up that were larger sedans.
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Old Feb 27th, 2008, 01:00 PM
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I have observed the staff people at luxury hotels in Italy to look with disdain on guests who don't fit their definition of "suitable." The more expensive the hotel, the snootier the staff. That has been my experience, anyway. So I was just suggesting that they will get more respect if they show up in a taxi, instead of schlepping their own bags from the station.
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Old Feb 27th, 2008, 01:05 PM
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Athena- i'm not disputing your findings

but besides no respect how does the service suffer

get a poorer room?

doormen won't open the door?

i would hope any really top hotel would instruct staff to treat everyone like a royal?
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Old Feb 27th, 2008, 01:34 PM
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Interesting - I have stayed at my share of "snooty" hotels and have a hard time imagining they care if you walk from the train station..if they even notice?

Panquel do you think they will spit on you?

I do not know why but this is giving me the giggles... I am sure MomandBecky will be fine walking (although I would take a cab there - having been to Florence in July that would be my recommendation)...
but not so "I was treated well"...
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Old Feb 28th, 2008, 06:53 AM
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When we were in Barcelona, we stayed at the Hotel Montreal and walked it from the train station. We had backpacks only, so that helped a bit, but I think you could walk it. Just take your time, and enjoy the city. You will pass restaurants, bakeries, etc. It will help you figure out were you are in the city and you might pass the laundromat, the cyber cafe, etc. which you might want to use later. Get a good map and enjoy your stroll.

You did not say when you are arriving. If it is early in the morning, the streets will be less crowded. If you are arriving after dark, I change my story and would take a cab.
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Old Feb 28th, 2008, 06:56 AM
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I should have said Florence instead of Barcelona. I do not know how to change a post after it is posted.
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Old Feb 28th, 2008, 07:03 AM
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<Panquel do you think they will spit on you>

No but that's kind of what i took Athena to mean

Makes me happy i do NOT stay in such snooty posh places, even if i could afford them

how awful to be scrutinized for signs of affluence by the staff when entering!
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Old Feb 28th, 2008, 07:41 AM
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I know there are hotel employees who will treat you poorly if they don't like your looks, or your vehicle.

For instance, my daughter and I were treated VERY rudely by the doorman at the Sacher in Vienna. We were staying at the Kaiserin Elisabeth (a great little hotel), and we walked over to the Sacher to see it.

We weren't especially 'dressed up', but we were certainly presentable. (My daughter is a gorgeous blond, 19 at the time, and guys usually open doors for her! ha ha)

We were headed in the front door of the Sacher, just to see its lobby, and to look in their gift shop. The doorman stepped in front of us, and would NOT let us in. He said only guests could come in. I didn't make a fuss about it, just left, and silently vowed to never stay there.

On the other hand, we were at the Ritz in Marina del Rey, California, last week. Their front entrance is swarming with workers, and they were extremely helpful and friendly. Shows you that California truly is more 'laid back'.

Sorry to hi-jack your thread, momandbecky. To make up for it, here's a link to my Florence trip report, with my daughter. There are hotel and restaurant and sight-seeing recommendations in it. I loved Florence, and hope you will, too.

Florence:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34813784

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Old Feb 28th, 2008, 07:59 AM
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I used to walk from the train station on my travels (being the budget traveler that I am), but I'm now treating myself to more taxi rides and it's quite worth it. Taxi's are not that expensive for that short of a ride.

Monica
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Old Feb 28th, 2008, 08:24 AM
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Thank you again for all your replies. I believe we'll take a taxi, we have not decided on the time we'll be arriving.

Yes, I am aware the Helvetia & Bristol is one of the more expensive hotels. We are staying at the Dona Palace (3nights)in Venice and the Grand Hotel de la Minerve (5 nights)in Rome. I am comfortable being a budget traveler on some vacations (including camping) but this is truly a once in a lifetime trip for just my 20 yr old daughter and myself that we have been talking about for years. Our hotel choices had a lot to do with location, 24hr front desk, room service and in some ways security.

While I assume that there are less expensive hotels that may serve this same purpose, after doing much research these are the ones we have chosen.

Carla
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Old Feb 28th, 2008, 08:39 AM
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Carla, my trip with my daughter was similar to your idea of traveling with your daughter. I'm so glad we did it (without 'the boys'). She had finished her semester abroad in Florence, I'd never been to Italy, and we spent two weeks together there.

We had a wonderful time, and it was a real watershed in our relationship. A time to relate to one another differently than mom/daughter, like when we're home.

Enjoy your time together! You'll be really glad you did it.
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Old Feb 28th, 2008, 10:45 AM
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Momandbecky - I say enjoy!!!
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Old Feb 28th, 2008, 10:55 AM
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Hello momandbecky, just in case you come into the train station in Florence late in the evening and you do not find any taxis outside the train station here are two phone numbers for the main taxi companies so you can phone and and get a taxi.

055-4242 and
055-4390

These phone numbers were given to me by an Italian friend who lives in Florence.

Have a wonderful time with your daughter! And you will I know.
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