Room Mate Luca

Room Mate Luca, part of a Spanish chain of hotels, is a boutique property occupying an elegant stone neoclassical palace. Compared to the exterior architecture, interiors are vibrant and modern. At the entrance, guests cross through a foyer with gray-and-white checkered floors and regal columns. Past that, the reception and lobby area is done up in a splashy green, navy, and black color scheme, which continues through the lounge areas. Striped chairs, Greek-key trim, and wallpaper with little salamanders are just some of the ornate embellishments here. It's an eye-catching and upbeat atmosphere, but it might feel a bit overwhelming to some. The breakfast room is just as flamboyant, with walls covered in overlapping blue polka dots offset by emerald-green banquettes. Each floor here is color coded, its hallways and guest rooms adorned with varying hues. Though families are welcome, most visitors to Room Mate Luca are couples on a romantic getaway.

Room Mate Luca has an excellent location halfway between the city's center and the train station, making it a great spot for tourists looking to stroll around sightseeing. There are plenty of restaurants and shops on surrounding streets. The Duomo takes 10 minutes to reach on foot, while Palazzo Vecchio is a 15-minute walk away. Most major attractions can be reached in about 10 to 15 minutes on foot, and it’s an 11-minute walk to the city's main train station, Firenze Santa Maria Novella. For those who would rather get a lift, there’s a bus stop across the street from the property. It’s a 20-minute drive to Florence's Peretola Airport, or about 40 minutes via public transportation.

Continuing the boisterous, busily patterned look of public spaces, guest rooms at Room Mate Luca embrace patterned wallpaper, colorful decor, and printed bedspreads, pillows, and curtains. It's a stylish, fun mix, though it doesn't feel particularly restful. Some guests have complained that rooms run small, though they're rather standard in size for Florence, and all have wardrobes for storage. Rooms also include flat-screen TVs, minibars, free Wi-Fi, safes, air-conditioning, and small desks. Deluxe Rooms come with the added benefit of electric kettles. Simple white-tile bathrooms have bidets, showers or shower/tub combos, toiletries, and hairdryers. On the downside, air-conditioning can’t be controlled in rooms, and noise can be an issue -- whether from the street or from the hotel bar.  Another disappointment is the views, which are typically unattractive; some are even limited to a view of an opposite wall. 

A handful of on-site features give this petite property an extra level of comfort and character. Though the hotel lacks a restaurant or gym, there’s a free breakfast buffet that’s offered every morning in a colorful dining room. Guests can also take advantage of the small bar in the lobby and linger with their drinks in one of the lounge areas. The lobby has a public computer that guests can use, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. There’s valet parking for those that arrive by car.