The upscale Forte16 is a stylish, modern hotel situated away from the bustle of the tourist-filled areas of Florence, but within walking distance of restaurants, public transportation, and some attractions. Its 44 apartments are sophisticated and spacious, offering kitchenettes, pullout sofas, and free Wi-Fi, however, housekeeping services are only provided every two days. The indoor pool and spa are popular spots as is the rooftop terrace, which will be even more enticing when a rooftop bar opens in 2017. But it may be worth comparing rates with the Grand Hotel Minerva, which is a five-minute walk from the Duomo and includes a rooftop pool.
The upscale Forte16 is a stylish, modern hotel situated away from the bustle of the tourist-filled areas of Florence, but within walking distance of restaurants, public transportation, and some attractions. Its 44 apartments are sophisticated and spacious, offering kitchenettes, pullout sofas, and free Wi-Fi, however, housekeeping services are only provided every two days. The indoor pool and spa are popular spots as is the rooftop terrace, which will be even more enticing when a rooftop bar opens in 2017. But it may be worth comparing rates with the Grand Hotel Minerva, which is a five-minute walk from the Duomo and includes a rooftop pool.
The Relais Santa Croce is a gem of a 24-room luxury hotel, set in an 18th-century palazzo that's only a 10-minute walk from the Duomo. The hotel's history is everywhere, especially in its magnificent music room that hosts daily afternoon tea with live piano, along with weekly concerts that are open to the public. Rooms are a mix of plain and posh, though well-executed details and welcome treats from the chef make for a high-end stay. Re-interpreted Italian cuisine is available from the restaurant, and there's also an independent Michelin-starred restaurant in the same building for any foodies passing through. The bar serves light bites, and free Wi-Fi is available. For a luxury stay with a slightly more modern finish, check out the J.K. Place Firenze instead.
The Relais Santa Croce is a gem of a 24-room luxury hotel, set in an 18th-century palazzo that's only a 10-minute walk from the Duomo. The hotel's history is everywhere, especially in its magnificent music room that hosts daily afternoon tea with live piano, along with weekly concerts that are open to the public. Rooms are a mix of plain and posh, though well-executed details and welcome treats from the chef make for a high-end stay. Re-interpreted Italian cuisine is available from the restaurant, and there's also an independent Michelin-starred restaurant in the same building for any foodies passing through. The bar serves light bites, and free Wi-Fi is available. For a luxury stay with a slightly more modern finish, check out the J.K. Place Firenze instead.
Situated on Piazza Santo Spirito and away from hectic tourist crowds, the 15-room Hotel Palazzo Guadagni is a mid-range property with beautiful historic features and individually-designed rooms. Its rooftop loggia has fantastic city views -- a perfect spot for guests to enjoy drinks from the bar. Rooms are slightly worn, but have beautiful original features and modern comforts including flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Some also feature views of Palazzo Pitti or the Duomo, but not all are air-conditioned. A decent breakfast buffet includes fresh pastries and hot options, while concierge services include local insider tips. Valet parking is available for a fee. For a similar historic option closer to the action around the Duomo, try Palazzo Gamba instead.
Situated on Piazza Santo Spirito and away from hectic tourist crowds, the 15-room Hotel Palazzo Guadagni is a mid-range property with beautiful historic features and individually-designed rooms. Its rooftop loggia has fantastic city views -- a perfect spot for guests to enjoy drinks from the bar. Rooms are slightly worn, but have beautiful original features and modern comforts including flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Some also feature views of Palazzo Pitti or the Duomo, but not all are air-conditioned. A decent breakfast buffet includes fresh pastries and hot options, while concierge services include local insider tips. Valet parking is available for a fee. For a similar historic option closer to the action around the Duomo, try Palazzo Gamba instead.
The seven-room Residenza Castiglioni is a mid-range boutique bed-and-breakfast that's just a five-minute walk from the Duomo. It's a romantic spot, for sure, with original frescos and historical features creating an Old-World ambience that attracts couples and honeymooners. The rooms come with modern conveniences as well as ample freebies. Breakfast is shared with its sister hotel and is a continental spread with freshly baked bread and pastries, homemade yogurt, fresh fruit juice, and -- of course -- good coffee. Some furnishings may be a bit tired, but there’s plenty of charm to go around. Wi-Fi is free throughout, and paid parking can be arranged at the garage down the street. For a similar option on a tighter budget, try sister hotel Alloro B&B instead.
The seven-room Residenza Castiglioni is a mid-range boutique bed-and-breakfast that's just a five-minute walk from the Duomo. It's a romantic spot, for sure, with original frescos and historical features creating an Old-World ambience that attracts couples and honeymooners. The rooms come with modern conveniences as well as ample freebies. Breakfast is shared with its sister hotel and is a continental spread with freshly baked bread and pastries, homemade yogurt, fresh fruit juice, and -- of course -- good coffee. Some furnishings may be a bit tired, but there’s plenty of charm to go around. Wi-Fi is free throughout, and paid parking can be arranged at the garage down the street. For a similar option on a tighter budget, try sister hotel Alloro B&B instead.
Orcagna Hotel is a small three-pearl property located in a quiet residential neighborhood outside of Florence’s historic city center. The hotel has 18 stylish, contemporary rooms with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi -- but some guests have complained of noise due to thin walls. A simple free breakfast can be taken out on the patio, which also has a hot tub. Most of the city's historic sights can be reached within a 15- to 25-minute walk, though the hotel also offers bikes for rent. Travelers who prefer to be in the city center might want to check out NH Firenze Anglo American, which has an on-site restaurant and bar, but rates are pricier.
Orcagna Hotel is a small three-pearl property located in a quiet residential neighborhood outside of Florence’s historic city center. The hotel has 18 stylish, contemporary rooms with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi -- but some guests have complained of noise due to thin walls. A simple free breakfast can be taken out on the patio, which also has a hot tub. Most of the city's historic sights can be reached within a 15- to 25-minute walk, though the hotel also offers bikes for rent. Travelers who prefer to be in the city center might want to check out NH Firenze Anglo American, which has an on-site restaurant and bar, but rates are pricier.
The 24-room budget Hotel Casci is located on the second floor in two fifteenth century palaces and a former convent in central Florence, within easy walking distance of all the major tourist attractions. Simple and very clean, the family-run Casci feels like a bed and breakfast, with free buffet breakfast daily, and plenty of personal attention. Rooms are spacious, but the decor is quite basic, and the bathrooms are small, but the family atmosphere and ideal tourist location are definite upsides.
The 24-room budget Hotel Casci is located on the second floor in two fifteenth century palaces and a former convent in central Florence, within easy walking distance of all the major tourist attractions. Simple and very clean, the family-run Casci feels like a bed and breakfast, with free buffet breakfast daily, and plenty of personal attention. Rooms are spacious, but the decor is quite basic, and the bathrooms are small, but the family atmosphere and ideal tourist location are definite upsides.
The 54-room Hotel Spadai is a modern, upscale property within a two-minute walk of the iconic Duomo. A glassed-in atrium space gives a bird's eye view of the famed monument. Other features include a lobby bar with a fireplace, a spa and sauna, and a free buffet breakfast served in a pretty skylit room. Guest rooms have a refreshing contemporary look along with marble bathrooms, minibars, coffeemakers, and free cookies. Many have views of the Duomo and some have beamed ceilings. Travelers that prefer more Old World opulence could try the Palazzo Niccolini al Duomo, which has frescoed walls and antique furnishings.
The 54-room Hotel Spadai is a modern, upscale property within a two-minute walk of the iconic Duomo. A glassed-in atrium space gives a bird's eye view of the famed monument. Other features include a lobby bar with a fireplace, a spa and sauna, and a free buffet breakfast served in a pretty skylit room. Guest rooms have a refreshing contemporary look along with marble bathrooms, minibars, coffeemakers, and free cookies. Many have views of the Duomo and some have beamed ceilings. Travelers that prefer more Old World opulence could try the Palazzo Niccolini al Duomo, which has frescoed walls and antique furnishings.
The 39-room Hotel Home Florence is an upper-mid-range boutique set in a traditional Florentine villa. The hotel makes a bold, slightly surreal visual statement, with eye-catching design elements crafted by Italy’s famous Cyrus Company. Rooms are cozy, if small, with a stark white-on-white color scheme that easily shows wear and tear. The immediate surroundings are a bit lackluster, though the Arno River and historic Santa Croce neighborhood are within two blocks, and views from the rooftop terrace and suites are outstanding. A rooftop hot tub is a particularly special feature here. Residenza D’Epoca Home In Palace is right in the historic center of Florence and provides equally simple, stylish rooms for around the same price in an even more intimate setting, though it lacks some amenities like a fitness center and hot tub. Wi-Fi is free throughout.
The 39-room Hotel Home Florence is an upper-mid-range boutique set in a traditional Florentine villa. The hotel makes a bold, slightly surreal visual statement, with eye-catching design elements crafted by Italy’s famous Cyrus Company. Rooms are cozy, if small, with a stark white-on-white color scheme that easily shows wear and tear. The immediate surroundings are a bit lackluster, though the Arno River and historic Santa Croce neighborhood are within two blocks, and views from the rooftop terrace and suites are outstanding. A rooftop hot tub is a particularly special feature here. Residenza D’Epoca Home In Palace is right in the historic center of Florence and provides equally simple, stylish rooms for around the same price in an even more intimate setting, though it lacks some amenities like a fitness center and hot tub. Wi-Fi is free throughout.
Located on a charming stone street, the 34-room Botticelli Hotel is housed in a historic building with vaulted ceilings and terra-cotta floors. A short walk from the train station and the Duomo, this mid-range property is set squarely in a bustling tourist area. Unfortunately, that means street noise can be heard. (Request a room at the back of the hotel for a quieter stay.) A beautiful shaded terrace lined with blooming planters gives the guests a lovely place to linger. There's also a dining room, where the free breakfast is served, and small bar. Basic guest rooms are tight on space and are outfitted with minibars and small flat-screen TVs, but no Wi-Fi. Guests looking for more stylish accommodations may prefer the nearby three-pearl Rapallo Hotel.
Located on a charming stone street, the 34-room Botticelli Hotel is housed in a historic building with vaulted ceilings and terra-cotta floors. A short walk from the train station and the Duomo, this mid-range property is set squarely in a bustling tourist area. Unfortunately, that means street noise can be heard. (Request a room at the back of the hotel for a quieter stay.) A beautiful shaded terrace lined with blooming planters gives the guests a lovely place to linger. There's also a dining room, where the free breakfast is served, and small bar. Basic guest rooms are tight on space and are outfitted with minibars and small flat-screen TVs, but no Wi-Fi. Guests looking for more stylish accommodations may prefer the nearby three-pearl Rapallo Hotel.
The old-fashioned, family-run, 27-room Hotel Alessandra has a great location on a pedestrian-only street a short walk from Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery. A friendly staff and helpful concierge contribute to the warm atmosphere and are happy to make reservations for sites and tours. There’s a large staircase and tiny lift up to the reception area, which the hotel staff freely admits is a drawback for some, but overall the Hotel Alessandra provides a good value for fit travelers in a prime location.
The old-fashioned, family-run, 27-room Hotel Alessandra has a great location on a pedestrian-only street a short walk from Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery. A friendly staff and helpful concierge contribute to the warm atmosphere and are happy to make reservations for sites and tours. There’s a large staircase and tiny lift up to the reception area, which the hotel staff freely admits is a drawback for some, but overall the Hotel Alessandra provides a good value for fit travelers in a prime location.