Grand Hotel Principe Di Piemonte

Guide to Gay Friendly Hotels in Viareggio Italy (2023 Updated)

Viareggio, a seaside city in Tuscany, Italy, is known for its Carnival. La Cittadella is a complex housing the Carnival Museum, with small reproductions of the city’s allegorical floats and can accommodate in a few gay friendly hotels Viareggio available in town.  The Villa Paolina Civic Museums include a museum of musical instruments and an archaeological museum. To the southeast, in the town of Torre del Lago, is Villa Puccini, a museum about the composer in his former lakeside residence.

Toscana Pride  is a peaceful march of LGBT people and their relatives and friends, which combines social and political protest with entertainment such as live concerts. It takes place every year in the month of June in Viareggio, of of the main destination of Italy. There are more than 65 daily flights from various cities of Europe to Pisa  if you want to attend the parade.

 

What are the top attractions to visit in Viareggio?

 

 

 

1. BW Premier Collection Grand Hotel Royal 4* – Gay Friendly Hotels Viareggio

 

BW Premier Collection Grand Hotel Royal
BW Premier Collection Grand Hotel Royal

This property offers a Special Protection Program, including a free health insurance during your stay.

A true landmark of Viareggio, BW Premier Collection Grand Hotel Royal is an Art-Nouveau villa with impressive turrets and elegant interior design. Set on Viareggio’s seafront, it offers a garden with outdoor swimming pool. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.

Rooms feature air conditioning, a minibar and a flat-screen TV with Sky channels. The bathrooms offer either a bath or a shower and free toiletries. Some also have sea views.

See why so many travelers make Grand Hotel Royal, BW Premier Collection their hotel of choice when visiting Viareggio. Providing an ideal mix of value, comfort and convenience, it offers a family-friendly setting with an array of amenities designed for travelers like you.

For those interested in checking out popular landmarks while visiting Viareggio, Grand Hotel Royal, BW Premier Collection is located a short distance from Chiesa di Sant’Andrea (0.4 mi) and Chiesa di San Paolino (0.4 mi).

You’ll enjoy relaxing rooms that offer a flat screen TV, a minibar, and air conditioning, and you can stay connected during your stay as Viareggio Best Western offers guests free wifi.

The hotel features a concierge and room service. Plus, Grand Hotel Royal, BW Premier Collection offers a pool and free breakfast, providing a pleasant respite from your busy day. For guests with a vehicle, parking is available.

While in Viareggio be sure to experience local tapas favorites at Il Chiringuito.

The hotel is in a great location beach, shops, and restaurants over the road .we went down to the Tuscan countryside by train all the way down to montepulciano ,the station was only a short taxi ride away 10 euros , could have walked but it was 39 degrees to hot. The rooms were clean and towels changed everyday and it was good to have a mini bar fridge to keep beers and water cool.

We had a sea view to the front and our daughter had a single room with a view of the garden/mountains to the rear. Our room was furnished in an antique style and was evocative of the hotels era. Breakfast was buffet service in the stunning dining room whilst dinner was waiter service on the veranda (which is also beautiful) unless it had rained in which case it was inside. The quality of the food was very good and generous. The staff throughout the hotel were exceptionally polite and helpful. The pool is very nice and large and set beyond the veranda and pretty garden.

Breakfast was mostly continental buffet style but they did have scrambled eggs bacon and little pieces of frankfurter style sausage on offer each day which you could have with toast or pancakes etc. You could also request poached eggs though and there was a small selection of breakfast cereals too. All in all lots of choice and it was lovely to try the continental options as a change from what we’re used to.

The hotel had a lovely pool and gardens with poolside bar but there was some traffic noise which is to be expected as the hotel is in a good location for the beach. Most of the beaches were private so access to beautiful private beach (opposite hotel across the road) with chairs and parasol and beach bar all included – quite a saving.

Viareggio Beach is a good location, very clean and surrounded by beautiful scenery. Plenty of lovely Italian Restaurants. A welcome absence of British style Burger Bars, Fish and Chips, Irish Pubs and get your Sunday Roast etc. Well done Italy 🇮🇹.Well done BW Premier Collection Grand Hotel Royal and thank-you very much for a lovely stay.

d. Room was very spacious and clean. A hospitality tray with coffee and tea was an unexpected treat.There is a massive choice of food and drinks at breakfast. You can choose from a wide variety of cheeses, meats and breads. The hot option includes hot dog sausages, bacon and scrambled egg. There was also a huge array of pastries, yoghurts, and around six different fruit juices. Dinner was served in a different larger room. It was 4 courses starting with a self service salad buffet. The remaining 3 courses you chose at breakfast. The food was very good and portions were pretty big. A good range of choices for vegetarians. Very high standard of presentation.

The hotel has beautiful gardens with lots of seating and a large undercover area with table and chairs. The swimming pool has plenty of sun loungers and the pool is a very decent size.

There is also a handy snack bar. Towels for the pool were replaced on a daily basis. We had two deckchairs and a small table with parasol included with our deal at the Beach Bagno Annita just across from the hotel. This was scrupulously clean with childrens play equipment, toilets and changing cubicles. The snack bar had a really extensive menu with reasonable prices. We enjoyed cocktails there which at 5 euros were excellent value!

Viareggio is ideally situated to visit nearby places like Florence, Pisa and Lucca, all of which we travelled to on the train. The train station is about a 20 minute brisk walk away. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here and would recommend it.

 

Gay Friendly Hotels Viareggio
Gay Friendly Hotels Viareggio

 

How much does a room costs at BW Premier Collection Grand Hotel Royal?

 

Prices start 270$/night for Double Room. The Double Room with Sea View is 315$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This double room has a electric kettle, air conditioning and satellite TV.

Where to book online – BW Premier Collection Grand Hotel Royal  – Gay Friendly Hotels Viareggio – you can find the best hotels deals in Viareggio during The Carnival of Viareggio which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Viareggio on Booking.com or Trivago.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

 

2. Hotel Eden 3* – Gay Friendly Hotels Viareggio

 

Hotel Eden Viareggio
Hotel Eden Viareggio

Set on Viareggio’s seafront promenade, Hotel Eden is a few steps from the beach and the historic Caffè Margherita. Its terrace offers panoramic views of the Versilia coast and the Apuan Alps.

Rooms come with air conditioning. They also feature a minibar, LED TV and a private bathroom with make-up mirror and toiletries.

A varied breakfast buffet is served each morning. In the evenings you can relax on the roof-top with a drink from the bar. On the ground floor, there is a lounge with satellite TV.

Everyone needs a place to lay their weary head. For travelers visiting Viareggio, Hotel Eden is an excellent choice for rest and rejuvenation. Well-known for its family-friendly environment and proximity to great restaurants and attractions, Hotel Eden makes it easy to enjoy the best of Viareggio.

Rooms at Hotel Eden offer air conditioning, a minibar, and a refrigerator providing exceptional comfort and convenience, and guests can go online with free wifi.

A 24 hour front desk, a rooftop terrace, and a concierge are some of the conveniences offered at this hotel. Free breakfast will also help to make your stay even more special.

While staying at Hotel Eden, visitors can check out Chiesa di San Paolino (0.2 mi) and Monumento ai Caduti (0.3 mi), some of Viareggio’s top attractions.

Eden is on the seafront right across the road from the beach and the myriad of beach clubs, designer shops cafes’s bars and restaurants. Couldn’t be better. The staff are friendly and helpful and the hotel has a great roof terrace with wonderful views and showers to cool off. Yes, the hotel is dated, very 1960’s decor so if you are after a boutique style this will not be for you but it is very clean and has a lift to all floors. We did not use the breakfast option preferring the cafe across the road which was excellent and very reasonable. The station which can take you to Pisa, Lucia and Firenze is 10 mins walk. The hotel also gives you a permit to park outside (if you can find a space) and discount vouchers for the nearest beach club.

This is an excellent and reasonably priced 3 star hotel in a perfect location on the seafront, just across the road from the numerous Lidos bars and restaurants. The Bagno Italia lido immediately opposite has an arrangement with the hotel and offers good discounts on the cost of a day’s rental of beach chairs. The hotel itself is very clean and comfortable. The rooms are not large but not too small when you take into account the nice two seater balconys. Ours was on the side of the hotel and had a side sea view. This was preferable to the full sea view rooms because there is a nice breeze on the side of the hotel which cools things down.

The view from the roof-terrace is amazing up and down the promenade with the art-deco buildings prominent and behind that the sea.

There was a mini-bar in the room which could also be used to refrigerate your own purchases.

Breakfast was ample and very tasty with a good choice, including hot food. This is a very relaxing place to stay in a brilliant and bustling holiday resort. While here don’t miss visiting Pisa and Lucca also.

Gay Friendly Hotels Viareggio
Gay Friendly Hotels Viareggio

How much does a room costs at Hotel Eden Viareggio?

 

Prices start 140$/night for Double Room. The Double Room with Sea View is 176$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This room offers a view of the Mediterranean Sea. Every room is air conditioned and comes with an LED TV and a private bathroom with makeup mirror and toiletries.

Where to book online – Hotel Eden  – Gay Friendly Hotels Viareggio – you can find the best hotels deals in Viareggio during The Carnival of Viareggio which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Viareggio on Booking.com or Trivago.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

3. Palace Hotel 4* – Gay Friendly Hotels Viareggio

 

Palace Hotel
Palace Hotel

Set on Viareggio’s seafront, Palace Hotel features a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Apuan Alps. Rooms have an old-world design and WiFi is free throughout.

The air-conditioned rooms offer a TV with Sky channels, a minibar, and a bathroom with hairdryer and toiletries.

The Decò restaurant, open all year long, serves regional Tuscan and Mediterranean specialities, including fresh fish. It also offers gluten-free meals and a large selection of local wines.

Guests can relax on the furnished terrace, and have a light lunch with a fantastic sea view or a drink in the evenings. A partner private beach with swimming pool is available in front of the hotel, at extra charge.

Located on one of the Viareggio coastline’s most attractive stretches, a short walk from the seashore, at the heart of the Passeggiata and near the pine grove, it is an ideal area for a nice walk, to relax and have fun too. Tennis courts are nearby, bikes are available, there is a fun fair, playground, pizzerias and gelaterias to enjoy in the cool and peaceful green area.

The Palace Hotel stands out for its lovely Liberty style facade. Some of the rooms look out over the sea and from the spacious terrace with American-style bar there is a gorgeous panorama of the entire coastline. Style, beauty and history give the Palace Hotel that special atmosphere which has made it, over the years, a point of reference for its international clientele. The Palace Hotel offers its guests free Wi-Fi in every part of the hotel and an internet point. The TVs in the guest rooms have Sky cable service and multilingual satellite programmes.

First visit to this part of Italy and chose Viareggio a) because of its location, for access to Pisa, Lucca and other areas in Northern Tuscany and b) because it was on the coast and offered some “chill out” time. Viareggio is a lively coastal town with much going on and many restaurants and shops located along one predominantly pedestrianised promenade that runs along the front. The Palace Hotel is located right in the middle of the Promenade overlooking the ocean. The interior is very traditional and has a lovely feel about it.

The Palace is a lovely hotel, the Belle Epoque building is beautifully maintained, and the hotel is managed in the traditional style of classic seaside hotels, formal in an unobtrusive and professional way. The location on the promenade could not be better

We had a twin room with sea view and balcony, simply and elegantly furnished, and, like the rest of the hotel, pristine and immaculate. There are a number of different room options and, to get what you want, it probably helps to book directly with the hotel.

Breakfast was exceptional, with an impressive selection of fresh fruit and a good choice of cold meats and cheese. Other than this, a full restaurant service was not available, lunch in the terrace bar was only provided on a few days and, although a limited dinner menu was on offer, the dining room was quite empty. However, there are plenty of restaurants on the doorstep and we were happy to try them. We can recommend Da Olivieri’s where many hotel guests ate. Gourmet sandwiches are available from Ottavo’s, on the corner at the Grand Hotel, a block or two away. The Terrace Bar on the roof, with its superb views, is a lovely place for a drink in the evening.

The Beach Club, La Pace, is just across the promenade, directly opposite the hotel. If you book directly with the hotel, you should be offered a good deal. It was worth it.

Its a lovely hotel in a historic building. Really nice, with high ceiling and period features.
Very charming and has a lot of character.
The location of the hotel is superb. Few mins walk, actually across the road from the beach front and on the main promenade.

Very much recommend to stay in the rooms with the terrace on the 4th floor.

The hotel has an amazing roof terrace / bar with breathtaking panoramic views.

The staff of the hotel are wonderful. Very friendly and helpful. I hope the management of the hotel appreciate their staff, as they are real asset!

Gay Friendly Accommodation Viareggio
Gay Friendly Accommodation Viareggio

How much does a room costs at Palace Hotel Viareggio?

 

Prices start 230$/night for Classic Double Room. The Double Room with Balcony is 270$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

Air-conditioned room with a balcony, satellite TV, a minibar and a private bathroom with hairdryer. Wi-Fi is free.

Where to book online – Palace Hotel  – Gay Friendly Hotels Viareggio – you can find the best hotels deals in Viareggio during The Carnival of Viareggio which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Viareggio on Booking.com or Hotels.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

4. Grand Hotel Principe Di Piemonte 5* – Gay Friendly Hotels Viareggio

 

Grand Hotel Principe Di Piemonte
Grand Hotel Principe Di Piemonte

Located in front of the sea on Viareggio’s promenade, the Grand Hotel offers 2 restaurants, a wellness centre and a free gym. Its heated rooftop hydromassage pool enjoys views of the Versilia Coast and the Apuane Alps.

Grand Hotel Principe Di Piemonte features classic rooms and suites. Accommodation is located on 5 floors and decorated in different styles. Most rooms and suites offer views of the sea.

The hotel offers 2 restaurants. Eat on the roof top, The Piccolo Principe restaurant is open from May until October and boasts 2 Michelin stars. The Regina restaurant is located at ground floor either in the dining room or the verandah overlooking the sea. It serves regional specialities and is open all year round. Breakfast is an extensive buffet.

This storied luxury hotel on the seafront promenade in Viareggio is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Built in the early 1920s, restored to the height of its charm in 2004 after 19 months’ refurbishment work, today the Principe is without doubt one of the world’s most exclusive and refined historical hotels.

The 106 rooms, including 19 suites, on five floors decorated in different styles, represent an ideal cross-section of elegant hospitality over the ages, through to the contemporary design of the sun-drenched rooftop swimming pool. The “Piccolo Principe” and “Regina” restaurants have also made their own contribution to the renown built up over the years by the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte in Viareggio. The Two-starred Michel restaurant “Piccolo Principe” offers sophisticated cuisine against the magnificent backdrop of the panoramic roof garden, where guests dine in summer, while the “Regina” restaurant offers traditional Tuscan fare.

The hotel’s facade and location are truly amongst the best in the pretty seaside town. Although 98 years old, the hotel is extremely well maintained and has a number of modern elements that belie its age.

Although not large by North American standards, the room I was assigned was pristine and very tastefully decorated. The king bed was comfortable, and huge for a solo traveller such as myself. There was more than sufficient lighting in both the foyer, bed and bath rooms. My corner room had a partial sea view, as well as one of the Tuscan mountains. I couldn’t have asked for better, as I find a full sea view somewhat boring after the first hour or so. Mr. Povoleri offered to raise the temperature in the bed room, but I preferred to keep it cool for sleeping. A touch screen control was at my disposal should I have changed my mind. There was a larger desk, with an easily accessible electrical outlet, that facilitated working on my laptop. Under the desk was a mini bar fridge, stocked with various beverages but with available space for a few extra personal items. Closet space was more than adequate for one or two guests, and included a room safe large enough to accommodate my 13″ laptop. A hot water kettle, coffee mugs, coffee/tea/sugar/creamer packets, a corkscrew/bottle opener, wine glasses and a set of tumblers were also provided.

The bathroom was a good size, with two large mirrors, as well as a make-up magnifier model. A bidet, WC, vanity sink and a decent size glass shower stall were features of my room, as was a heated towel rack and a large hair dryer. Good quality toiletries were provided in addition to two pairs of slippers and two terry bathrobes. Towels were replenished daily, and I never lacked hot water for my shower and shave. I appreciated that there was a large window that could be opened to dispel the humidity after showering. A radiator could be adjusted to keep the bathroom nice and toasty during the chilly mornings.

During my stay, I used Viareggio as the starting point to explore the nearby Tuscan towns and cities of Lucca, Pisa and Firenze (Florence). They were all readily, and inexpensively reachable by train. As a result, I did not have the opportunity to sample the lunch or dinner F&B offerings. However, I made it a point to have a leisurely breakfast every morning. On three of the mornings, breakfast was offered on the fifth floor venue due to a function taking over the lobby spaces. The buffet was generally very good, although I did not particularly care for the food service potatoes or the scrambled eggs.

This was easily remedied by ordering an omelet from my server, which I found exceptionally delicious. Croissants, pastries and sweet cakes were excellent, but the bread rolls were rather ordinary. The fresh fruits offered were pineapple, honeydew melon and grapefruit slices, as well as mandarin oranges, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. All were exceptionally ripe and sweet. Charcuterie, cheeses, sausages, bacon, cereals, jams, honeycomb and other sweet and savoury items were among the breakfast selection. I thoroughly enjoyed my daily pot or two of American coffee, except when it was served in the 5th floor venue. The machine there could not provide anything hotter than a tepid brew. Espresso was a better option. Valentina, my usual server, was most accommodating and anticipated my requirements without me having to ask. Other servers were equally solicitous and polite to a fault. All had an excellent command of English, as well as other languages, answering me in French when they overheard me in a telephone conversation.

Housekeeping was conducted according to the door hanger I used to indicate servicing when I left for breakfast in the morning. On five of my seven days, it was exceptional. On the other two I would surmise that it was done by the “B” team. Curtains not drawn, used glassware not washed, toilet paper not pointed, some toiletries not replenished. Nothing too serious, but noticeable nonetheless.

I initially had been booked into the hotel for four nights, but was so impressed by the property and staff members, that I added an additional three nights. I now plan to return on a regular basis to benefit from both the hotel itself as well as its ideal location from which to visit other areas in Cinque Terre and Tuscany.

Gay Friendly Hotels Viareggio
Gay Friendly Hotels Viareggio.

How much does a room costs at Grand Hotel Principe Di Piemonte?

 

Prices start 350$/night for Classic Double Room. The Junior Suite with Balcony and Sea View is 1050$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This suite has a balcony, minibar and air conditioning.

Where to book online – Grand Hotel Principe Di Piemonte  – Gay Friendly Hotels Viareggio – you can find the best hotels deals in Viareggio during The Carnival of Viareggio which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Viareggio on Booking.com or Trivago.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

5. Hotel San Francisco 3* – Gay Friendly Hotels Viareggio

Hotel San Francisco
Hotel San Francisco

Hotel San Francisco is situated on Viareggio’s sea front. It offers air-conditioned rooms with private bathroom and parquet floor, some overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

The San Francisco serves a breakfast buffet of sweet and salted items.

Hotel San Francisco is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Viareggio, offering a family-friendly environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay.

You’ll enjoy relaxing rooms that offer air conditioning, a minibar, and a desk, and you can stay connected during your stay as Hotel San Francisco offers guests free wifi.

The hotel features a 24 hour front desk, a concierge, and baggage storage. Plus, Hotel San Francisco offers a lounge, providing a pleasant respite from your busy day.

Nearby landmarks such as Chiesa di Sant’Andrea (0.4 mi) and Chiesa di San Paolino (0.6 mi) make Hotel San Francisco a great place to stay when visiting Viareggio.

While in Viareggio be sure to experience local shrimp favorites at Cabreo.

Viareggio is also home to Pineta di Ponente, a popular park that is not too far from Hotel San Francisco.

Enjoy your stay in Viareggio!

How much does a room costs at Hotel San Francisco Viareggio?

 

Prices start 140$/night for Standard Double Room. 

With free Wi-Fi, this air-conditioned room has modern furnishings and parquet floors. Includes a private bathroom complete with toiletries and a hairdryer.

Where to book online – Hotel San Francisco  – Gay Friendly Hotels Viareggio – you can find the best hotels deals in Viareggio during The Carnival of Viareggio which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Viareggio on Booking.com or Trivago.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

by Sorin

Sorin is a freelance travel writer. He is an experienced travel writer and traveller. Since 2012 he explored more than 60 countries on 4 continents: Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. Currently is based in Romania after spending the last 7 years in Myanmar.