Piazza dell'Indipendenza, 7, Florence, Italy | (888) 710-7049
Within walking distance of some tourist sights, dining, and shopping
Contemporary rooms have flat-screen TVs and minibars
Indoor and outdoor hydromassage pool
Spa with a sauna, massages, and beauty treatments
Small fitness center with up-to-date equipment
Free breakfast buffet with homemade pastries
Lovely interior garden with an outdoor bar
Free afternoon tea, Wi-Fi, and a public computer
Lobby bar serves small snacks and cocktails
Room service at limited hours
Valet parking (for a fee)
No on-site restaurant
Fitness center is tiny
Must make a reservation to use the spa services
Some reports of the surrounding neighborhood feeling
dodgy
Despite that it’s a bit outside of the main tourist area, the modern, upscale Palazzo Castri 1874 earns positive reviews for its lovely amenities. The large outdoor garden provides a pretty setting for breakfast (included in rates), while the spa, which offers massages and hydromassage therapy,
is enticing after a long day touring the city. Rooms are modern, though not
overly large, with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and tea kettles with tea from a
local boutique. The fitness center is tiny and the hotel lacks a restaurant, but the lobby bar serves light snacks and afternoon tea is included in rates. While there are many sights a 10- to 15-minute walk away, travelers that prefer something closer to Florence's main attractions might want to check rates at the Grand Hotel Baglioni.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Modern hotel with lovely grounds that draws couples
Opened in April of 2015, this boutique hotel is situated in a neighborhood just outside of the tourist-filled
areas of Florence. The basic white exterior of the building doesn’t reflect the
modern and clean design of the interiors. The reception area is small, outfitted with two
black front desks, and leads to a lovely nook with a lobby bar that has
black tables and plush velour maroon seating. The breakfast room mixes it
up with a beehive vibe thanks to a yellow honeycomb-shaped ceiling and black
tables and chairs with yellow seating. The room is bright and airy, overlooking the property’s gorgeous interior garden which has green lawns, palm
trees, and outdoor furniture. The clientele here mostly consists of couples, many of whom linger in
the garden. They can also be found in the intimate spa area, which has mood
lighting and sleek facilities.
Location
Located in the city center, near public transportation, historic sights, and dining
This hotel is located right in the
sweet spot between the hustle of Florence’s center and the quiet of a good
night's sleep. The Santa Maria Novella train station is a 12-minute walk away, and there’s
a bus stop that’s less than a minutes’ walk. It's a 10-minute walk to the
Florence Cathedral and 16 minutes to the Uffizi Gallery on foot. Piazza della Reppublica
takes 12 minutes on foot. There are plenty of restaurants and shops on
surrounding streets. But some guests report that certain
areas in the vicinity feel dodgy. Florence
Airport, Peretola, is a 15- to 20-minute drive, and takes about the same time via public transportation.
Rooms
Small, contemporary rooms with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and tea from a local boutique
Guest rooms at the Palazzo Castri 1874 feature contemporary decor with a minimalist vibe. Bedding and walls adhere to a cream, white, and gray color palette, which is accented by pops of color courtesy of maroon or lime green velour chairs, end-of-bed benches, and pillows, as well as a few abstract art pieces.
Rooms may feel cramped, though some of the suites offer more space with
separate living rooms, while the Exclusive Suite has two bedrooms, a kitchenette, and two bathrooms. Each room has
air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, a minibar, and an electric kettle with
tea from a local tea shop. The bathrooms, though a bit small, are sleek and have white marble sinks and illuminated vanity mirrors. They
are outfitted with toiletries, hairdryers, robes, and glass showers with
waterfall showerheads under blue lights. Views vary among the rooms -- some overlook a plaza or city rooftops, while others
have views of the garden from a terrace.
Features
Spa, fitness center, lobby bar, lovely garden, and freebies like afternoon tea, breakfast, and Wi-Fi
The features on offer here are as well thought out as the design of the public spaces, and many are included in room rates.
Free perks include Wi-Fi, an afternoon tea, and a breakfast buffet with
homemade pastries and cakes. The spa area, which has an indoor/outdoor
hydromassage pool, sauna, and hammam, is also free to guests, but requires a
reservation ahead of time to prevent overcrowding. Massages and beauty
treatments can be scheduled as well. The fitness center has brand new equipment, but is quite tiny. There’s a lobby bar that serves snacks, wine, and cocktails,
plus an outdoor bar in the lovely interior garden that features seating on a
few different levels. Breakfast can be enjoyed outdoors during the warmer months. Room service is offered during limited hours. There’s a public computer for guest use, and valet parking for a fee.
