Hotel Duomo Firenze

High above the piazza -- so removed from street-level noise in spite of its central location -- this hotel is located on the top floor of an ancient, four-story building right across from the Duomo. The hotel is accessed by an old cage elevator from the ground floor, but there isn’t much in the way of public areas. The lobby is small, equipped with just the front desk, a large white sofa, and a bookshelf separating it from the breakfast room, where a collection of white tablecloth-clad tables and a corner bar fill the space. The room opens out onto a lovely, narrow terrace furnished with a couple of tiny tables that offers gorgeous views over the cathedral and its incredible dome looming overhead.

The hotel is situated directly across from the Florence Cathedral and its famed cupola, the iconic dome of the Duomo. The ancient monument looms over the hotel, surrounded by a piazza filled with gelato shops, restaurants, cafes, and small boutiques. The main train station, Santa Maria Novella, is about a 10-minute walk away, offering easy access to the rest of Italy and beyond. Most of the top sights are within walking distance, including the Uffizi Gallery (seven-minute walk), Galleria dell'Accademia (six minutes), and the Ponte Vecchio (nine minutes). Florence Airport is less than 30 minutes away by bus or car.   

There are two types of rooms available: Classic (with no view) or Superior (with Duomo view). Rooms are small, with Superior Rooms offering a bit more space, and simply furnished with minimal decor. All have large, comfortable beds framed in wooden headboards, oak floors, and bare walls in pastel shades, plus amenities that include small, flat-screen TVs, minibars, electronic safes, work desks, and free Wi-Fi. Some of the Superior Rooms have private balconies with gorgeous views of the Duomo looming overhead -- well worth the extra cost -- while others overlook lackluster courtyards. Bathrooms are compact, but clean and equipped with heated towel racks, hair dryers, bidets, and small walk-in showers.

Hotel Duomo Firenze offers a good breakfast that includes coffee, a variety of yogurt, cereals, fresh pastries, eggs, and bacon, though with an added charge. There's a small breakfast room adjoining the lobby with a lovely outdoor terrace offering stunning views of the Duomo. There's also a bar serving coffee and various drinks located in the breakfast room. Wi-Fi is free and reliable throughout the property. The hotel can arrange valet parking at a nearby garage for a daily fee and staff is accommodating with laundry services, tours, and restaurant reservations (front desk is open 24-hours). Small pets are allowed if the hotel is notified in advance.