Via Cerretani 54 / R, Florence, Italy | (888) 635-3814
Located in the historical heart of Florence, two minutes from Piazza del Duomo
Bright, clean rooms are soundproofed and air-conditioned
Breakfast and evening drinks served on lovely rooftop terrace with Duomo views
Some rooms have private terraces with spectacular views
Bathrooms provide high-end toiletries, bathrobes, and slippers
Auditorium puts on regular cultural events including opera
Views from rooms vary
Wi-Fi weak in some rooms
Beds might be a little firm for some
You'd be hard pressed to find a hotel with a better location than the 50-room Hotel Laurus al Duomo -- the famous Duomo roof practically overlooks many of the higher-level rooms. The breakfast terrace also shares this impressive vista, which can also be soaked up during the evening over drinks. Rooms are fresh and modern, many with terraces, though be aware those with "views" won't always be of the cathedral. Rates are pretty good value considering the location, though it might be worth spending a little more to ensure a special view.
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Scene
Shutter-fronted Florentine townhouse overlooking a cobbled street
Rebuilt in 1972 and renovated in 2006, the Hotel Laurus al Duomo is housed in a typically charming Florentine townhouse fronted by wooden shuttered windows overlooking a quaint cobblestone street. The lobby is a simple blend of wood paneling, traditional stone-tile floors, and Chesterfield-style seating all illuminated by an elegant centerpiece chandelier. A first floor lounge and reading room overlooks the front desk and a wide corridor leads past plaster busts to the hotel's own theater-style auditorium. The hotel largely attracts the culturally inclined tourist keen to explore the artistic heritage of Florence from its historical heart.
Location
Set in the heart of Florence, a five-minute walk from Santa Maria Novella station
The location of the Hotel Laurus al Duomo could hardly be more central -- it is a short two-minute walk from the Piazza del Duomo and the heart of historical Florence. It's a five-minute walk to the Santa Maria Novella train station in the opposite direction, and less than 10 minutes on foot to the iconic Ponte Vecchio.
Rooms
Rooms are soundproofed and air-conditioned, many with Duomo views
The hotel's 50 rooms are clean and classic with parquet flooring, modern wall art, and traditionally styled furnishings. Each room has been named, which relates to an element of the room or a detail about Florence. All rooms are soundproofed and air-conditioned, and include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and minibars. Bathrooms are generally spacious and modern, and quality toiletries, bathrobes, and slippers are provided. Some rooms have furnished terraces, as well as views of the Duomo, though not all views are so spectacular.
Features
Morning breakfast and evening drinks overlooking historic Florence
The hotel serves a buffet breakfast that can be taken onto the lovely, shaded terrace offering views of the Duomo. Evening drinks can also be enjoyed here, while the street level Caffè Astra al Duomo is a great place to take a macchiato and watch the world go by. The attached auditorium puts on regular opera concerts and other cultural events, which are part of the "Life Beyond Tourism" project which encourages and facilitates a deeper understanding and experience of the culture and history of the area.
