Sina Astor is a six-story hotel, with far better interiors than exteriors. The faded cream entrance opens to a marble clad lobby decorated with white walls, potted plants, and a purple reception desk. A grand staircase leads up to the mezzanine level, and there are elevators up to the guest rooms and furnished rooftop terrace. There are additional ocean views from the restaurant's dining room, but the vistas are obscured by beach clubs. The overall look is contemporary, with coastal elements like wicker chairs and landscape art. Guests are mostly Italian families on a beach vacation, along with couples attracted to the spa and a few business travelers making use of the event space. 

Sina Astor is located on the main beach drag of Viareggio. It's just across a semi-busy street from beach clubs, the bike path, and pedestrian promenade. Expect about a five-minute walk to the harbor, and a 10-minute walk in either direction leads to restaurants, shops, gelato stands, and bars with sidewalk seating. Upscale shopping (Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Versace) is available in nearby Forte dei Marmi, about a 20-minute drive. Pisa International Airport is a 30-minute drive; it's about 20 minutes to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It's about an hour's drive to Cinque Terre. 

Guest rooms and suites are available in a wide range of categories at Sina Astor. Overall, the decor is contemporary with coastal colors of blue and white, and finishes are upscale. Economy Rooms are the most affordable, and these are the smallest, with enough space for a double bed and simple white dresser and desk. The Royal Suite can sleep up to four guests, and includes a living area and huge outdoor terrace with excellent ocean views. All rooms feature air-conditioning, a phone, flat-screen satellite TV, free Wi-Fi, electronic safe, and refrigerated minibar. Bathrooms differ, and can include shower/tub combos or marble bathrooms with jetted tubs. Toiletries and hairdryers are always provided. On our visit, we noticed a nice lilac scent in the rooms -- though a few of them smelled like cigarettes in a non-smoking hotel.  

Sina Astor offers a huge range of features, which is quite uncommon on the Italian Riviera. All rates include a free breakfast buffet of hot items like scrambled eggs and bacon, plus fresh pastries and fruit. The restaurant is open for dinner year-round and seasonally for lunch. Guests can dine indoors in a large dining room or on the glass-enclosed terrace with distant ocean views. Drinks and wines are on offer at the American Bar. The wellness center is an unexpected perk with an indoor pool, fitness center with TechnoGym equipment, and a full salon with a sauna and whirlpool. A full range of treatments, including massages and facials, are available. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and there are event spaces for meetings. Bikes are free to borrow, which is convenient for the bike path across the street. Garage parking comes with a nightly fee.