Walk to the Duomo, the Galleria dell'Accademia, and other top attractions
Clean spacious rooms, some with private bathrooms
Common area with big-screen TV, computers, and books
Free breakfast and free evening snacks and wine
On-site laundry facilities
Communal kitchen with vending machines
Free Wi-Fi in public areas
Guests must vacate rooms each day for cleaning
Wi-Fi can be spotty at times
Shortage of power outlets in some rooms
No stovetop in communal kitchen
The 10-room Academy Hostel is a budget property close to the Duomo that's ideal for young travelers looking for a clean, affordable spot for exploring the city. Other major attractions nearby include the Accademia Gallery and the Uffizi Gallery, while Florence's central train station is less than 10 minutes away on foot. Rooms are basic and simple, but clean, and have from two to six single beds. Some have private en-suite bathrooms; others are shared. A communal area has a big-screen TV and computers for guests to use. Breakfast is free, as are evening wine and snacks. Travelers looking for a livelier scene in a budget property could check out the Plus Florence.
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Scene
Pleasant, quiet hostel with communal spaces indoors and out
This small hostel is situated on the first floor of a 17th-century palace that it shares with private homes, offices, and other services. A Renaissance-style courtyard leads to a large arched wooden door. Everything is bright and cheerful here. The lobby and communal area are colorful, with a yellow wall and orange ceiling with rich period detailing. A seating area with a black sofa and arm chairs in front of a big-screen TV gives guests somewhere to hang out. There's also a covered terrace with cafe seating that provides a nice place for eating breakfast outside or having wine and snacks in the evening when the weather is good. The atmosphere is pleasant and fairly quiet. Signs in the kitchen saying "Clean up after yourself. Your Mamma does not work here" are a hint at the type of guests the hostel attracts: young travelers and backpackers who don't mind sharing space with others.
Location
Walk to sights like the Duomo, Accademia Gallery, and central train station
The location is ideal for young people visiting Florence. It's super central, and all of the city's main monuments are within walking distance. The hostel is just a few steps from the iconic Duomo and a five-minute walk from the Accademia Gallery (hence the hostel's name), which is home to Michelangelo's "David" and other sculptures. The Uffizi Gallery, one of the world's most famous museums, is less than 10 minutes away on foot. The Florence Airport is less than 30 minutes away by car, and a bus leaves the airport every 30 minutes headed into the city center. The hotel is about a 10-minute walk from the Santa Maria Novella central station.
Rooms
Clean, spacious rooms with single beds, some with private bathrooms
Rooms are basic but spacious, with two to six single metal beds, tile floors, a locker for each bed, a chest of drawers, small glass-top desk, luggage racks, and simple artwork on the wall. Bright red, green, or yellow bedspreads provide a splash of color in the otherwise beige rooms, and the Double Room we visited had a charming exposed-beam wood ceiling. Some rooms have private bathrooms, and others have a shared bathroom in the hallway. Bathrooms are bright, with red and orange tile in some, and green and yellow in others. Fixtures are simple, but clean, and large bottles of soap and shampoo are provided. Rooms are cleaned every day. Guests must leave the room with all their belongings each day at a specified hour, and there's a luggage room for storage during this time. Bed linens, blankets, and towels are provided for free, and each guest gets a portable lamp. Some rooms have glimpses of the Duomo from the large windows. Others look out onto rooftops or sides of buildings.
Features
Free breakfast, shared kitchen facilities, on-site laundry, nice terrace
A free breakfast of pastries, juices, and packaged fruits is served daily in the kitchen area, which also has a shared refrigerator, microwave, and vending machines with snacks and beverages. The kitchen does not have a stove top. An adjacent terrace is a nice spot for dining alfresco, and free wine and snacks are available in the evenings. The on-site laundry room has two coin-operated washers and dryers. Guests who need hairdryers or irons and ironing boards can borrow them from the front desk. Wi-Fi is free in the hotel's common areas, and computer with internet are available in the lounge, which also has a TV should guests want to hang out rather than explore the city.
