Hotel Diplomat Palace

The Diplomat Palace has a classic hotel look befitting of its buttoned-up name, with dark leather seats and dark marble floors in the lobby and breakfast area. The lobby bar feels a bit more casual, with some large potted plants and colorful glasswork to break up the excess of marble. Worn looking brown leather sofas are centered around a gold and glass coffee table near a flat-screen TV. Some lovely views are available, including beach views rom the indoor hot tub in the otherwise unassuming spa. There are outdoor pools that face a somewhat congested street. Vacationing couples and families choose this hotel mainly for the proximity to the sea.

The Diplomat Palace hotel is set in Rimini, a famous Italian resort city on the northeastern coast. The city itself has an artistic history, and examples of Roman and renaissance structures (such as the Arch of Augustus and the Tiberius Bridge) lend cultural clout to the sun-soaked atmosphere. The hotel is on a somewhat congested street, a block away from a fully-equipped beach and a 20-minute walk from the city center and the old town -- filled with restaurants, cafes, and bars. There’s a supermarket right outside, and a couple of bus stops within a few blocks. The hotel is about a two-and-a-half hour drive from Florence -- or about three-and-a-half hours by train. Expect a charge for parking.

There are 67 rooms and no suites at the Diplomat Palace Hotel. Each is classically decorated in shades of gold and white. All have views of the water, with small balconies set with white plastic chairs, facing the beach. The decor includes tired, yellow floral fabrics, though the bathrooms have large and modern stall showers, filled with jets. Wall-mounted towel warmers are a luxe touch. The rooms aren’t well-insulated, and sounds can be heard from the surrounding rooms. Quadruple rooms include bunk beds, great for families but not so ideal for groups of adults. There are mini-fridges and small, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs.

The hotel has a free breakfast buffet with a good selection -- including Italian sweets and a corner dedicated to vegans -- served in a large room with many dark-wood tables, marble floors, and lots of windows overlooking the beach. While there isn't a restaurant for lunch and dinner, there is a fully stocked bar. A small spa -- with more marble decor -- includes a sauna, steam bath, and a hot tub that overlooks the beach. The outdoor pool is lined with leafy trees and faces the street, and has some basic plastic lounge chairs. There's also an adjacent kiddy pool, home to a mini-club with activities for children. Beach towels are provided and guests can borrow bikes for free. The beach is just across the street and the hotel has a private area with chairs and umbrellas for a fee -- a common practice in Italy.