bramsole

Good afternoon


Good afternoon. We are trying to decide on hotels in Florence. These two seem to be in the running. We have read mixed review on both from other sites. and would like a Fodors's opinion.
Could someone who has stayed in either please give us a review here? We won't be in the rooms very much, but would like a good view and a rooftop view or restaurant. . We are going in September.
If anyone has a better hotel in this 3 to 4 star price range centrally located
we would to hear about it. Thanks so much
Brownley

Jean

Bramsole, I replied on your other thread about the Hermitage river- v. city-view rooms.

FYI, there really isn't such a "3 to 4 star price range." The number of stars primarily relates to the number and type of amenities offered. For example, the Laurus al Duomo rates more stars because it has a conference/business center which you could probably care less about. If you want helpful recommendations, you need to give us a euro or dollar budget amount.

I looked at the Laurus al Duomo website. The hotel is certainly well located, and the rooms and public areas look comfortable. The decor is pretty charmless, though, and I don't think its views compare to the views from the Hermitage's rooftop terrace. Neither hotel has a restaurant.

bramsole

Thanks Jean for your quick reply. I am out of my home state without my computer. Sadly, it crashed once again right after I posted.
You are right, we are just travelers. We want to spend no more than $210.00-220.00 for a room per night. Due to problems beyond our control we must be close to our hotel. Not mysterious, just health issues.
I was all over the Hermitage, until someone mentioned dark, dreary and small rooms.
We do not want modern, but I am to old for smelly and musty.
We are pretty happy guys, and don't even want five star fancy. Just comfortable, clean and with preferably a breakfast.
Again, I apologize for the cross communications. It is terrible to be without my own computer. Thanks, Brownley

Jean

As I mentioned on the other thread, I haven't stayed at the Hermitage in 10 years. Our rooms there were not large, but most rooms in hotels located in historical areas are not large. The furnishings were comfortable but, as I recall, didn't include more than the basic pieces. The bathrooms were small (also fairly typical), but in one (river-view I think) they had managed to install a very large shower/jacuzzi tub combo which I appreciated for a good, hot soak at night.

I read the Tripadvisor reviews going back two years. I did see some negative comments about the room sizes, but these reviewers mentioned a bed had been added to sleep a third person. A few complained that the "double" bed was really two twin beds pushed together, but that's very typical in hotels in historical areas. Imagine trying to haul king or queen box springs and mattresses up narrow stairways. I found only one truly negative review which is actually a pretty good ratio (20:1).

But the Tripadvisor reviews of Laurus al Duomo are better overall, and the hotel has a higher ranking than the Hermitage. If the health issues you mentioned include difficulty climbing stairs, you should know that the street-level entrance to the Hermitage is about 10 steps below the elevator, so you'd have to navigate those stairs at least twice a day.

bramsole

Jean, Thank you so much. I have recently taken a spill and banged the knees. I am doing rehab, but the way everyone talks, the knees do take a while to recover. I am trying to anticipate every problem.
I did check on the your post on the Gilhberti. Excuse my spelling, if it isn't correct. That sounded like a neat place as well. B$&B's are fine with us as well. DH wants to be able to ask someone for help and info. if we need it. I will check some of those out as well.
We have stayed in many small rooms, we will only be sleeping there, so I don't know why I am having such difficulty. I can't seem to commit to one place. I guess it is the always, "I'm looking for the perfect place," syndrome. Thanks again, and I will take any other advice that you would like to pass on. Brownley

Jean

We've stayed at the Tourist House Ghiberti a few times. For us, the accommodations and amenities are perfect. But this isn't a hotel. No real lobby, no room service, etc., but the rooms are big, the bathrooms are big, and there is free internet and a computer in each of the five rooms. There is also a communal jacuzzi and sauna. We've had no problems with noise from outside or inside the hotel. The reception desk is covered about 18 hours a day, and the owners live on the same floor of the building. Everyone we've encountered has been helpful both via email before we arrive and in person while we've been there. In that respect, it feels hotel-like. The breakfast room is small, but there is a adjacent small outdoor terrace.

BUT, compared to the Hermitage, the THG is farther from the Uffizi, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, Brancacci Chapels and the Pitti Palace. The THG is very close to the Duomo, the Museo delle Pietre Dure (which I highly recommend if you're interested in stone and wood inlay), Palazzo Medici Riccardi and closer to the Accademia. If walking long distances will be a problem, you'll want to consider your sightseeing plans/priorities or factor in a few taxi rides. There is a bus stop in front of the building where the THG is located.

I know your "looking for the perfect place" syndrome well. If I were going to Florence tomorrow, I'd probably stay at the THG, but I wish it was a little closer to the river. There is no perfect place, especially if you're trying to stay within a moderate budget.

michnron

We are currently planning our trip to Italy for the end of April and I've been spending a good 4-5 hours day researching hotels. We are a family group of 8 which includes my father who can't walk very far and my two small children 5 and 2 so finding the right accomodation has been a challenge! I wanted to stay in the historical center to minimize walking. I've looked at EVERYTHINg from apartments to b&b's to hotels. We finally have settled on Relais Uffizzi...literallly right next to the Piazza Signoria...you can't beat the location...round the corner from Ponte Vecchio, etc. Double room 180Euro/night for 2. We were in Florence 6 years ago and my husband and I stayed at the Hotel Hermitage and it suited our needs fine...view nice, rooms small, but I don't remember it being dark in any way, excellent location...however, our friends stayed at the Relais Uffizzi (at the time it was more economical for them) and it was great. Breakfast room overlooks the Piazza. I understand the Relais Uffizzi has been renovated and the reviews seem pretty good. Also, they have a lift with I think 1-3 steps to the lift. For us, it's the ideal place to stay with our mixed group and I have a very excited about it. Hope this helps