Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia 18, Florence, Italy | (618) 248-8274
Riverside location, an eight-minute walk from Santa Croce Square
Uffizi Gallery and Piazza della Signorina are within a 15-minute walk
Classy Old World interiors in common areas
All rooms have minibars, desks, AC, and safes
Some rooms have modern, black-and-white decor, and/or river views
Greenery-filled winter garden, top-floor terrace, and furnished courtyard
Free continental breakfast with cheeses and meats, yogurt, and pastries
Free property-wide Wi-Fi
Access to gym and spa for a fee
Limited sights and dining options in the immediate surrounds
Non-renovated rooms have old-fashioned decor
Wi-Fi intermittent in rooms and signal weak
Falls below advertised five-star rating
The 38-room Hotel River is an upper-middle-range property right on the Arno River, and a 15-minute walk from Florence's historic center. Rooms are a mix of classic and modern, but all have minibars, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning. Some rooms overlook the river, and outdoor spaces include a heated winter garden, river-view terrace, and peaceful courtyard. Free buffet breakfasts can be served outdoors, as can drinks from its small bar. Expect plenty of tasteful elegance, wood paneling, and fabulous fresco ceilings, but bear in mind that the area is less lively than downtown. Access to a nearby gym and spa is available for a fee, while Wi-Fi is free but spotty. Travelers wanting a more central setting and a few freebies such as all-day coffee may prefer Hotel Globus.
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Scene
Small elegant hotel on the River Arno, with mix of modern and classic decor
As its name implies, the hotel directly overlooks the Arno River. The property is housed in a late-19th-century building with a canary-yellow and white-painted carved exterior that has pretty wrought-iron touches. The area isn't the liveliest, but guests are within walking distance of the town center, and the removed location means the area is quiet. Interiors are classically elegant in common areas -- think wood paneling, damask gold wallpaper, and gorgeous frescoed ceilings. The lobby has a tucked-away bar and black-leather seating, though guests prefer to make the most of the outdoor spaces. A heated glass-enclosed winter garden has charming green-wood chairs and ivy-painted tables, while a lovely outdoor courtyard has sofas and benches surrounded by trees and plants. River views from the rooftop terrace are particularly scenic. Visitors are primarily couples.
Location
Riverside setting removed from downtown, near Santa Croce Square
On the left bank of the River Arno, the hotel's quiet waterside location isn't the most central, but the city's historic hub is still reachable on foot or by bus. Santa Croce Square and its basilica are an eight-minute walk, as is Sant'Ambrogio Market. Ponte Vecchio bridge, Uffizi Gallery, and Piazza della Signorina are all within a 15-minute walk, and it's about five more minutes to the Academy of Fine Arts' "Statue of David". A 20-minute walk across the river leads to Piazzale Michelangelo. Nearby busses take 15 minutes for Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens, and 20 minutes for Santa Maria Novella train station. Florence Airport is a 20-minute drive or over an hour by public transport and the hotel organizes pick-up (at a fee).
Rooms
A mix of classic and refurbished rooms with modern amenities
Rooms are split between classical style and 2016-renovated units with modern, black-and-white palettes. The former are done in an old-fashioned look consisting of simple wood furniture, headboards with patterned fabric, gold walls and drapes, and wood floors. Armoires, wall sconces, and framed artwork of Florence continue the traditional design. Renovated units, meanwhile, are sleek spaces with white furniture and walls, white-painted wood floors, and gray and silver accents in bed runners, drapes, and furniture frames. Old-looking bathrooms in Classic Double rooms are replaced with chic mosaic-tiled spaces (either in monochrome or green-blue palettes). All have flat-screen TVs, minibars, air-conditioning, desks, and wardrobes with electronic safes, plus kettles can be provided on request. Bathrooms come with showers, bidets, hairdryers, and quality toiletries. Upgraded units have canopy beds under fresco ceilings, living spaces, and/or sofa beds, plus robes and slippers. Views in Classic Doubles mostly overlook the courtyard, while some Superiors and Suites overlook the river or open onto the courtyard -- rooms on these floors can get noisy during breakfast preparation.
Features
Outdoor spaces and free continental breakfasts
The winter garden, classy courtyard, and rooftop terrace provide great outdoor spaces and are ideal for evening drinks or breakfast. Free continental breakfast buffets consist of cold meats and cheeses, alongside hard-boiled eggs and bacon, breads, pastries, cereals, and fruit. Gluten-free options are available, as is coffee. The tiny lobby bar itself is a bit abandoned, but terrace areas are great for a quiet drink. Wi-Fi is free throughout and stronger in downstairs areas.Access to a nearby spa and gym is available for a discounted rate.
