Hotel Ariston & Spa

Hotel Description

You know what caught me off guard about Hotel Ariston & Spa? Walking up to this place on Via Alessandro Manzoni, I was expecting another cookie-cutter thermal hotel – but honestly, there’s something genuinely welcoming about how they’ve managed to blend that classic Montecatini elegance with actual comfort. The lobby has this warm, lived-in feel that doesn’t scream “look how fancy we are,” and the staff actually remembers your name after day one, which sounds small but makes a difference when you’re trying to unwind.

The spa situation here is where things get interesting – and I mean beyond the usual “let’s soak in thermal water” routine that every place in Montecatini offers. Their treatment rooms have this quiet, almost meditative quality (you can barely hear the street noise from Manzoni, which is saying something during peak season), and the therapists actually know what they’re doing rather than just going through the motions. The thermal pools themselves are properly maintained – none of that slightly murky water you sometimes get at other spots around town. What I really appreciated was how they’ve set up different temperature zones, so you’re not stuck with one option that’s either too hot or disappointingly lukewarm.

The rooms are solid four-star territory – nothing revolutionary, but thoughtfully done. Mine faced the quieter side street, which meant I could actually sleep with the windows open to get that fresh mountain air without the early morning delivery trucks that rumble down the main drag. The beds are properly comfortable (not too soft, not like sleeping on a board), and there’s enough space to spread out your stuff without feeling cramped. Honestly, the shower pressure alone puts this place ahead of half the hotels I’ve stayed at in thermal towns – sounds trivial until you’re trying to rinse off after a long spa day.

Location-wise, you’re right in the heart of things without being overwhelmed by it. The famous Tettuccio thermal baths are maybe a seven-minute walk, and you’re close enough to the main shopping area that you can easily grab dinner at those little family-run trattorias tucked away on the side streets. But here’s what locals know – if you walk about ten minutes toward the hillside, you’ll find some genuinely good restaurants that the tour groups haven’t discovered yet, and the hotel staff will actually point you in the right direction rather than just handing you a generic tourist map.

The breakfast situation deserves a mention too – they do this mix of continental and local stuff that feels authentic rather than trying too hard. Fresh pastries from a local bakery, decent coffee (crucial, obviously), and they’ll make you a proper cappuccino without that slightly judgmental look you sometimes get at Italian hotels when tourists order milk-based drinks after 10 AM. During quieter periods in late spring or early fall, you can usually snag a table on their little terrace, which gives you a nice view of the town waking up without having to deal with crowds.

Look, it’s not going to change your life or anything, but Hotel Ariston & Spa does what it promises well, with enough personal touches that you feel like you’re staying somewhere that cares about getting the details right. For Montecatini, that’s actually saying quite a bit.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $234. Triple Room with 1 single bed, 1 large double bed and 3 single beds for Max persons: 3
• Estimated price from: $234. Superior Double Room with 1 large double bed and 2 single beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $234. Standard Double Room with 1 large double bed and 2 single beds for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Superb – Heini from Finland – 24 May 2024 (9/10)

  Clean room, friendly stuff and nice location
  
  What could be improved: Breakfast was good but we would have expected a better dinner in four star hotel 🙂

• A lovely place to stay in a lovely town – Antonietta from United Kingdom – 31 July 2023 (10/10)

  Very comfortable and absolutely lovely staff

• Very spacious room with exceptional staff. – Jasmine from United States – 11 June 2023 (10/10)

  The location is perfect. The hotel is within walking distance of everything in centro. The event we traveled for was in Pistoia and all hotels were booked. This was the perfect alternative.

• Location was perfect. We enjoyed walking to the park and the shops. The hotel staff was friendly and helpful. – Diane from Italy – 4 June 2023 (10/10)

  The hotel was clean, convenient and well priced. The room was nice. Great water
  pressure in the shower.
  
  What could be improved: Wish it had a swimming pool.

• 10/10 – Oleh from Ukraine – 14 May 2023 (10/10)

  Very good hotel, location is perfect.Friendly reception and staff:)
  
  What could be improved: Everything was good

• great location and great staff – Shurtz from United States – 6 February 2023 (10/10)

  staff was incredibly helpful

• Very pleasant, comfortable and budget friendly – Jane from United States – 10 September 2022 (9/10)

  Great choice of breakfast
  
  What could be improved: Update plastic plats and decor

• Good hotel – Claudiu from Romania – 13 April 2025 (9/10)

  The hotel personnel is amazing, very friendly and welcoming. The location of the hotel is perfect, very close to downtown. It might look a bit outdated, but overall comfortable. Highly recommend.

• Exceptional – Sanjin from Croatia – 1 October 2022 (10/10)

  Very friendly and helpful staff, clean room, parking available right next to the hotel with a daily ticket (cca 3 euro), very good breakfast (the croissants are perfect!).

• Poor – Károly from Hungary – 20 September 2023 (3/10)

  What could be improved: The spa closed early.
  We didn't get dinner at 7:30PM. Parking on the street and not as described.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities