Not a 5 star hotel, at least for Americans facing a declining dollar.

Staff was five star. My husband had to leave on an early flight and the deskman was kind enough to get him coffee and a little something to eat. We chose it for our last night when the place we stayed at when we first came to Pisa couldn't print out boarding passes (yes. there is an internet cafe in the tower plaze area, so we were being sort of silly).

Excellent English at the desk. I did not need to use my awful Italian at all.

Nice common rooms. Good location, but there are lots of far less expensive and equally comfortable places in the same location. Lighting was too dark everywhere for my middle-aged eyes.

No English language TV (I was still recovering from being sick, so it would have been nice).

Food was average at breakfast, but we appreciated that softdrinks, water, juice in minibar were gratis.

The place is nicely decorated, but, somehow, it seemed like it needed maintenance. I can't place that feeling, so take that with a grain of salt.

BUT, tiny, tiny rooms. Think 1/3 the size of a Hampton Inn room. (OK, the Hampton beds are equal to this place, but not their linens and I've never seen a Hampton Inn with thoughtful wall paintings and stencils on the ceilings).

Avoid Rm 207. We had to change rooms. We wondered, given that the hotel was not full, why they put us there in the first place.

After touring for seven nights this was our last stop before returning home. The hotel is very small but it is in walking distance of the leaning tower in an old city. The rate is very high but all business in Pisa capitalizes on the tower, which is a shame as the city (older than Rome allegedly) has city walls, a cathedral and an ecological park on the outskirts. When we stayed in a suite in the Marches region it cost €185, in this hotel it was €320 for a double deluxe room. Most of the reception staff were helpful with the exception of one who claimed not to know a restaurant we enquired about that was only round the corner from the hotel. We went anyway, without a reservation and got a table in the line of the door, so cold. The breakfast at this hotel was very good, probably out of the seven we partook of #3 in order of quality.

This hotel is way too over priced. The staff are amazing however and very eager to please. The rooms are minute which in itself is not bad but it's difficult getting clothes in and out of the wardrobe (which is tiny). The bathroom had a light fitting missing and a light bulb out as did the hallway. There were lots of inconsistencies, sometimes chocolates left, sometimes mini bar not stocked. The hair drier was a fixed thing in the bathroom which got too hot to hold and was alarmingly slow. The shower door did not fit properly and towels had to be used to mop up the water from the floor. We were offered a drink by the owner prior to going out for dinner and were then charged for the scotch not for the cheap wine. A scotch and coke cost Eur 20 with 12 for the scotch and 8 for the coke.

The hotel is pretty and clean and in a close location to the leaning tower and Duomo. However, it would be interesting to find out how a 5 star rating was achieved.

Again the staff were amazing, extremely helpful and kind.

Also doing this in a back to front manner. We've just returned from 3 nights at this hotel and looked up the reviews once we got back. From our collection at Pisa airport by the Hotel MPV with uniformed driver to being dropped back in the same manner we found the Hotel charming.

The location is ideally located for walking around this medieval city. Just a 3 minute walk to the famous leaning tower. The staff were charming, spoke fluent English as well as Italian, and highly attentive.

Our room was 219 on the second floor right next door to the two elevators. It is of a standard size for a historic building which has been sympathetically restored. There is a modern bathroom, a double bed, a small table and 2 chairs. Modern flatscreen TV with just the Italian channels (for goodness sake's you're in Italy, watch what they do!). Plenty of hanging space, a combination safe (big enough for a laptop), a complimentary mini bar and a very nice antique chest of drawers which the TV sits on top of.

The bathroom has a loo, bath, power shower, hair drier, bidet and hand basin. Very attractively finished in light brown marble and a huge towel rail. There were also 2 bathrobes and numerous towels, soaps and shampoo's etc provided.

With double glazed windows, blinds, blackout curtains and net curtains we didn't hear any street noise whatsoever. This despite the numerous church bells etc that are very close by.

Breakfast is a continental buffet type of arrangment in the downstairs restaraunt. It was too cold to go outside when we were there, but this extends into the paved garden which is very nicely laid out to the rear. The amout and types of food on offer was plenty to cater for most tastes.

At 5pm daily there is free tea and cakes etc in the lounge on the 3rd floor for all guests. The big fire was lit and we enjoyed the big armchairs and sofas up there. Well worth popping back from exploring the city for and taking a much needed rest.

We had dinner there on one night and it was of a quality you would find in a 2 star restaraunt anywhere in the world. Mostly local fare on offer, very varied and extremely fresh ingredients. But be warned, it's not cheap to eat here. We spent 180 euros for two persons, with a bottle of good wine for 3 courses.

In short, if you want modern and multinational chain-type of accomodation, you won't find it at the Hotel Relais dell’Orologio. Should you be searching for unique accomodation which will leave you with a relaxed venue to explore from, rather than a resort hotel to base yourself in, you'll love it. We did. Mr & Mrs Kenny, London, England