Hotel Excelsior

Hotel Description

Look, I’ve stayed at a lot of hotels along the Tuscan coast, and honestly? Hotel Excelsior kind of surprised me. You know that spot right where Via Cesare Battisti meets the marina area in Massa – well, that’s exactly where this place sits, and I mean *exactly*. When I first walked up, I wasn’t expecting much from the outside (it’s got that classic Italian hotel facade that could go either way), but the moment you step inside, there’s this immediate sense that someone actually cares about this place.

The thing about Marina di Massa is that it’s not your typical tourist trap – it’s where Italians actually go for vacation, which means the standards are different. Higher, honestly. The Excelsior gets this. My room faced the Apuan Alps, and I’d wake up to this incredible view of marble-white peaks that most people don’t even know exist. The staff here… well, they’re not just going through the motions. The front desk guy (I think his name was Marco?) actually drew me a little map showing the best gelato spot three blocks down on Via Alberica – not the touristy one everyone hits, but the place where locals line up at 9 PM. That’s the kind of detail that makes a difference.

What really sold me though was the breakfast terrace. I mean, you’re literally eating fresh cornetti while looking out at the Ligurian Sea, and there’s this perfect morning light that hits the water around 7:30 AM. The coffee’s proper Italian strong – none of that watered-down hotel stuff – and they’ve got this local honey that apparently comes from hives up in the hills behind Carrara. Small thing, but it matters. The beach access is actually decent too, which is rare for this stretch of coast. You don’t have to navigate through a maze of private lidos; there’s a pretty direct path that the hotel maintains. Parking was surprisingly painless (and free, which is practically unheard of in July), though I’d still recommend getting there before evening if you’re driving up from Pisa. The whole area gets busy around dinner time, especially during the marble festival season. One tiny complaint – the elevator’s a bit sluggish, but honestly, in a four-star place that nails everything else and earns a 9 rating from actual guests? I can live with waiting an extra thirty seconds. This is the kind of place where you end up extending your stay.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $165. Classic Double Room with 1 large double bed and 2 single beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $175. Superior Double Room with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $227. Superior Double Room with Balcony with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $227. Junior Suite with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $278. Superior Family Room with 2 single beds and 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $278. Suite with 1 sofa bed and 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $278. Double Room with Terrace with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $330. Executive Suite with Terrace with 1 sofa bed and 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $330. Suite with Terrace with 1 single bed and 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $253. Triple Room with Balcony with 1 single bed and 1 large double bed for Max persons: 3
• Estimated price from: $304. Triple Room with Terrace with 1 single bed and 1 large double bed for Max persons: 3
• Estimated price from: $407. Two-Bedroom Suite with 2 single beds, 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 6

Reviews

• Very nice short trip. We’ll be back! – Maria from Italy – 30 June 2025 (9/10)

  Right on the beach. Very cool hotel!
  
  What could be improved: The room didn’t have a balcony

• Everything is very very easy from access to staff help!! – Marysia from United States – 8 June 2025 (10/10)

  Location, just on the Main Street across from the sea.
  Very easy access a possibly paid parking very close by. Excellent breakfast, great pool.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing to dislike, very pleasant and helpful staff!!

• Very good stay ! Very good breakfast – Andrea from Italy – 27 May 2025 (10/10)

  General layout, location, clean, breakfast
  
  What could be improved: Car parking too expensive

• Superb – Ankita from Netherlands – 3 May 2025 (9/10)

  Amazing facilities and great staff
  
  What could be improved: Parking is costly

• Exceptional – Teshima from United States – 7 April 2025 (10/10)

  Staff were very nice and helpful
  Japanese meal was excellent

• We had wonderful time – Jisha from Ireland – 29 October 2024 (10/10)

  Location and facility are exceptional❤️❤️
  
  What could be improved: Can't say anything

• Very good – Vandemark from United States – 27 October 2024 (9/10)

  Good breakfasts
  Cleaned room when I was gone
  Friendly
  
  What could be improved: Should be able to to get eggs other than scrambled for free

• Exceptional – Cappetta from Australia – 20 September 2024 (10/10)

  Everything was great

• Short but very enjoyable – John from Ireland – 12 August 2024 (9/10)

  Good location
  
  What could be improved: No negatives

• As two exhausted doctors after work choose this hotel for relax and have fun besides to enjoy the Italian suburb and we – Gyula from Hungary – 19 July 2024 (10/10)

  The place situated almost on the beach, so the place is perfect if You wanna have a swim or spend some time on the beach as well. It offers a private garage as well but be careful if You have a low profile sports car the parking can be a bit tricky, but it can be done if You now Your car. The pool is perfect and it is great it has a private pool if You do not want to go to the beach and want to spend Your relaxing time in a wonderful garden. The breakfast was super, and the hotel is very clean. All the stuff is kind and helpful. The whole atmosphere is great and perfect. Due to heavy traffic sometimes if You want to reach the hotel on highway it is very easy and You can get there from the main routes in a few seconds.
  
  What could be improved: The only complaint but this is maybe was my mistake not to read carefully the options that this hotel does not have a private beach only just a few steps from it, however they give You discount for renting a bed-chair-sun-chair and umbrella. Sometimes it is tricky to find a place on the beach in this way. But otherwise everything was perfect. So from the second day we new the “rules” and reserved the place in advance. The only complaint that sometimes in the evening the wifi can be slow.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities