Pisa is often a city that travelers see as day trip or as an ecscape from the hustle and bustle of Florence. The quick train ride and the concentration of major sights on the Piazza Dei Miracoli prompt many visitors to forgo a stay overnight. Such day trippers however are missing out on a historical experience of elegance, comfort, beautiful views and a mingling with the past that only the Royal Victoria Hotel can provide.
With portions of the Hotel dating back to the 10th Century, the Royal Victoria’s history began as an Inn and over the years, through the adjoining of other buildings, became the place you see today in 1837. Since then, the Inn has been run by the same, Piegaja family and their dedication to housing their guests in style and atmosphere pays off. A look through the guest book which is housed in an enormous antique trunk behind the front desk immediately brings you back to a time when the likes of Charles Lindberg and Charles Dickens wandered the halls; and possibly slept in the same room you are given. The pages and pages of grateful comments written in a cursive script that few of us “word processor babies” can duplicate today is a testament to the Pisa tradition whose walls you stand between. Go ahead ask to see it.
On every wall in what can only be described as palace sized halls are photos and sketchings of the Hotel and the surrounding city. If you look closely on the 2nd floor (1st floor to Europeans) you may find sketches done from your balcony window. The ceilings are ornatly painted and glass paneled doors lead you to unexpected surprises as you wander the 5 levels of the hotel. There are piano rooms that although may be silent at the moment seem to move y our mind to conjure the key strokes and laughter of illustrious guests moving all about you. A kitchen full of antique cutlery may be through one door, an old Underwood typewriter sits on an oak writing desk in another and then one quick turn will reveal a small black phone inset in the wall which you swear could not have a dial tone; yet it does.
While each floor provides access to a small public balcony overlooking an ivy covered court yard the 5th floor opens to a large foliage full terrace perfect for post card writing or soaking in the ecscape from your own time. A call down to the front desk can result in a bottle of wine (reasonably priced at 8 Euro) or coffee being brought up to the terrace at no extra service charge. The rooms are decorated with much the same style as the rest of the hotel and you will not find a more comfortable bed in all of Europe. Small televisions are provided in the room but watching the city go by, as you look out over the Arno river which flows 50 feet from the Hotel’s entrance, is priceless entertainment that is likely to keep you from searching for the remote. 40 of the 48 rooms have an ensuite bathroom and if you happen 
to have driven, there is a garage where you can park for a small fee.
In the morning a plentiful breakfast is served beneath 19th Century portraits that inspire conversation and contemplation as to who they just might have been. The staff is never far away and at the smallest request, willing to go far out of their way to provide for the guests. There are bikes to rent and plenty of areas to lounge throughout the Hotel and get lost in the imaginings of a far off time.
Finding the Royal Victoria Hotel is no problem as you essentially just head straight out of the Pisa Central train station, cross the Arno and head along and left until your home for the night appears on your right at Lungarno Pacinotti # 12. If your flying into Pisa, you will only have to take a taxi the 2km or 10 min drive to the hotel; not bad at all. The rates per night range from 80 Euro to 204 Euro a night. For many this may seem a bit outside their budget but I assure you, splurging one night in this beautiful city and soaking in the history of this hotel is money well spent. The memories of wandering the lamp lit city after sun down and returning to the historically rich halls of the Royal Victoria are worth every Euro cent.
For bookings follow this link and email the Hotel directly. The Royal Victoria also maintains its own website with a short history and photos at www.royalvictoria.it . Check out the videos below for a rough and choppy digital camera view of the hotel.
