Grand Hotel Imperiale in Forte dei Marmi

I’d like to start by noting that the hotel is scheduled for renovations, which is wonderful news. That said, even in its current state, the property still has a lot to offer. At night, the exterior has a magical silhouette, beautifully lit and elegant. The restaurant is outstanding—my sister and I especially loved the breakfast spread, which was fresh, plentiful, and delicious. We were upgraded to a junior suite, which was spacious and comfortable with plenty of room to lounge and unpack. Unfortunately, I struggled with the strong scents used throughout the property. The lobby and hallways carried a heavy fragrance, and inside the room it was overwhelming. I have perfume allergies, so I asked for the perfume sticks and flowers to be removed, but the lingering scent remained strong enough that I had to sleep with a mask on. The first night, our air conditioning wasn’t working. When I asked to switch rooms, I was told the hotel was full, but thankfully the engineering team fixed it by the next day. I didn’t press to move again since I assumed all rooms would carry the same scent. The staff were consistently polite and respectful, though I wish they had been more proactive with information. Forte dei Marmi is a beach town where hotels typically have their own cabanas, yet no one explained where the Grand Imperiale’s were located or that food and towels were available there. My sister and I wandered from one cabana setup to another, being turned away multiple times, before someone finally clarified where we should go. A small detail like this could have saved us a lot of hassle. In the end, we mainly used the hotel as a base to explore nearby towns, since the scent in the room made it difficult for me to spend much time inside. Still, the restaurant was excellent, the staff were kind, and the hotel retains an undeniable charm—one that I hope will shine even brighter after the renovations.