Hotel Colomba

The entrance of the hotel is easy to miss as it shares a beautiful old building -- at one time an ancient palace -- with offices, private homes, other hotels, and the Da Vinci Museum. Guests are greeted at a wooden reception desk where keys dangle in a wooden cupboard affixed to a wall that's plastered with signs indicating the distance in meters (yes, that’s how close they are) to the city’s top attractions. A tiny old elevator leads to the second floor where the rooms and breakfast area are located. Common spaces are limited to this small and cute dining room filled with a handful of wood-and-metal tables, a long counter where a free breakfast is displayed every morning, and a few contemporary metal lamps. A small bar area with an espresso machine and a couple of tables with armchairs offers additional space for unwinding during the day. Public areas and some rooms were renovated in September 2016, giving the hotel a fresher feel. It is still a budget property with functional (rather than stylish) interiors, but rates are great for the area, and everything is kept spotless and in good shape. Travelers on a tighter budget can find an array of cheaper options in the neighborhood, including Hotel Fiorita, also offering free breakfast. Those seeking something with a bit more local charm may prefer the Alloro B&B, a quaint, intimate property which is also just a five-minute walk from the Duomo. The Borghese Palace Art Hotel and Hotel Globus are both attractive alternatives at a higher price point.  

Hotel Colomba occupies a lovely historic building on a busy street, Via Cavour, that is only open to buses and taxis and is one of the key arteries leading to the Duomo -- a five-minute walk from the hotel. The central location is a short walk from most top sights, including the Galleria dell’Accademia (three-minute walk), the San Lorenzo Market (five minutes), and the Piazza Signoria and Santa Maria Novella (both about 10 minutes away). There are several bars, restaurants, cafes, and gelato shops within a short walk of the property, while Firenze-Santa Maria Novella train station can be reached in about 12 minutes on foot. The Florence Airport is a 17-minute drive or taxi ride from the hotel, or just over 30 minutes by bus.

The hotel's 14 rooms are clean and simple, with parquet floors in most and large windows that offer street or courtyard views. Rooms are sparsely decorated with basic wooden furniture -- including closets, desks, and nightstands -- but updates in 2016 brought a few contemporary touches that add style, such as white metal lamps and vertical stripes in bold colors running down the wall behind the beds. Patterned curtains and green upholstery have a dated 1970s look, but rooms are clean and pleasant, and quite spacious (especially the triple and quadruples). Deluxe Rooms were fully renovated in mid-2016 and have a more modern feel, with bolder pops of color and modular open closets.  In-room amenities are great for the price, and include flat-screen TVs, minibars, individually controlled air-conditioning, and safes. Wi-Fi is free and reliable. Most bathrooms are small (some have quirky layouts with steps) but clean, and feature shower stalls and somewhat dated fixtures. Hairdryers and basic toiletries are provided in all rooms. Deluxe Rooms have renovated bathrooms with big walk-in rainfall showers, heated towel racks, and spacious sink areas with additional counter space. Guest typically give rooms great reviews, especially for cleanliness and comfort, but light sleepers may want to know that rooms located closest to reception may be subject to some noise. 

As a budget hotel located in a residential building, Hotel Colomba is light on amenities. There are no gym or full restaurant here, but the property offers a couple of great perks that add value. A free buffet-style breakfast is served every morning in a cute dining room with a coffee bar. The spread is small but tasty, and includes fresh fruit, yogurt, juice, espresso-based coffee drinks, pastries, and hard-boiled eggs. Wi-Fi is free for all guests and typically fairly fast and reliable. The hotel offers special parking rates at a nearby garage. Staff is helpful with tour reservations and insider restaurant tips. Small dogs are allowed at the hotel for a fee, but advance notice is required.