Boutique Hotels in Florence

"Let's start with the positives: The room was absolutely impeccable – from its design and decor to the overall experience, size, and amenities. It was so good, I'd honestly give it a 6 out of 5! Even the owner's photos don't do it justice; it's incredibly beautiful, spacious, cozy, and thoughtfully designed. Plus, it was spotless. I would definitely return to Florence just for this stunning room. It featured a double jacuzzi tub, a lovely terrace perfect for drinks and snacks, and even a sauna room – the first time I've ever seen one in a hotel room, though I didn't get a chance to use it. In short, everything about the room was perfect. The building itself has a charmingly old, manual elevator, which added a unique touch. Now for the downsides: Firstly, it's not in the absolute city center, located about 2 kilometers from the main attractions. While you can walk there, exploring the sights once you arrive still requires a lot of walking, which can be challenging in hot weather or if you're not up for extensive walking (like me). There's also a C1 bus nearby that goes to the sights, but if you don't want to wait an hour, don't even bother! Its schedule is a complete joke; you never know if or when it will show up. That said, I found staying a bit further out totally worth it for such a gorgeous room. My second issue was quite frustrating. Although it's listed as a 'hotel,' it's essentially a guesthouse or Airbnb, meaning there's no front desk. Any problems must be communicated via email with the host. Despite stating he's available 24/7, he wasn't responsive at all. On my first night, there was no hot water for the shower. I emailed the host the next day to report it, but he never replied – not even when he sent a reminder email for check-out! He completely failed to address the hot water issue. Luckily, I returned during the day and coincidentally met the cleaning lady, who helped me fix it. Otherwise, I would have gone a second day without hot water. So, be aware that without a proper front desk, problems might go unresolved... Aside from that, everything else was perfect. The nearby cafe recommended by the host also served a delicious breakfast. Oh, and the Chinese embassy is close by, which added an extra layer of safety and peace of mind."