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Lonmum London
2009-11-28
We stayed at Palazzo Alfani for two nights in November. It was perfect for us! We got a great deal since we were visiting off season. The location was superb being just across the street from Accademia and a short walk to the Duomo. The apartments had a true Italian feel to them complete with high ceilings and some antiques. We were there with a toddler so the large space was ideal. Francesca who runs the show was very welcoming and even gave our little one some toys to use during our stay. If you have ever travelled with a toddler, you will know this made mornings much easier!! I would highly recommend staying here.
10/10
wilshireguy Los Angeles, CA
2009-12-08
All of the other reviewers have said it so well, that I'm not going to repeat all their compliments other than to say they are all true. Its very, very comfortable, its very, very well located, everything is close by (David, market, restaurants, gelato place that Francesca recommends) and Francesca is great, a wonderful hostess and owner. Definitely five stars all around. I almost hate to tell about this secret place, since I don't want it overrun with people when i want to return.
That said, I highly recommend this Palazzo. Too bad the ratings only go to five, I would rate it higher.
However, be aware that, if you want and expect a hotel with nightly turn down service, room service, a restaurant in the hotel, a pool, exercise facility, etc. this is not the place for you. If you want to feel like you are really living in Florence, and mingling with the other residents, then you will find this place perfect for you.
Just an example of Francesca's hospitality: On our departure day, although check out is maybe 11 a.m., we had a 6 p.m. flight so didn't want to leave for the airport until 4 p.m. Francesca checked her bookings and since this was a quiet time, she upgraded the person occupying our room after us to a larger unit, and let us keep the room until we left for the airport, which was great, since we could spend our last day wandering around florence, buying presents, and then coming back to the room to rest for a few minutes before getting a cab to the airport. If you need a cab, by the way, there is a cab stand a short block away in the nearby plaza, and cabs are a fixed price to the airport, so its very easy to get transportation to the airport.
A couple of different remarks about this great place:
1. Yes, you may have a little trouble figuring out how the shower works. Don't be embarrassed, we (and apparently other reviewers) had similar difficulties. You can either ask Francesca to show you how to work it, or figure it out yourself in about 3 minutes.
2. My regret--we didn't spend enough time talking to and asking for advise from Francesca. I've been to Florence before and was showing my daughter around, so I figured I would do it on my own. We had a wonderful time, but I really should have taken advantage of Francesca's knowledge and desire to help. Note that she takes great pride in her establishment and wants to ensure that you are happy and enjoy your stay. Take advantage of her hospitality
3. I was taking my 20 year old daughter (I'm the father, not the mother) to visit Florence on a week break from her semester abroad in England so I wanted to really show her Florence, my favorite city in Italy. I asked Francesca for twin beds, since I didn't want to share a bed for obvious reasons. Francesca made sure that she had separated the bed in the unit into two single beds, and was very anxious to make sure we liked the arrangement. We did.
4. I have a bad back so i was very concerned about getting a hard comfortable bed. This bed exceeded my expectations, probably even a better bed than I have at home. This is not a soft, lumpy, uncomfortable bed. I slept like a log, which is what i wanted.
5. Some cautions since I'm very nervous about slipping with my bad back: the shower floor and the bathroom floor can be a little slippery. If that is a concern for you, bring shower slippers and you will be fine.
6. Don't miss the central market--if you want to cook in the room, there is great food. If you want sandwiches, its great. If you want to buy a cooked chicken or other cooked meats, cheeses, bread, fruit, vegetables, etc., its the place to go. Having a kitchen with a refrigerator and small stove top and microwave makes it easy to have a great meal in your room if you are too tired to go out. we had breakfast in our room every day, with cereal from the grocery several steps away from the front door and there is a great pastry shop around the corner for rolls, etc (its the one Francesca recommends, follow that recommendation).
7. This is much, much better than staying in a hotel in Florence. You almost feel like you are a resident of the city, not a temporary visitor. Take advantage of that.
8. If you are the traveling kind, you might enjoy short day train rides to visit nearby cities. We went to Pisa and climbed the tower and had lunch, getting back to Florence in time for a great dinner. We took the train to Sienna, again climbing towers and having lunch and back in time for dinner. The tougher trip we took was a day trip to Venice. That was a rushed trip, since there were fewer direct, fast trains and it was raining during our time in Venice, which made it a very tough visit. But it is still doable. And the scenery outside the train windows is spectacular. And just think how wonderful it is to get back into your own apartment when you return from these day trips, for a comfortable hot shower, rest on a great bed or use of the internet. Yes, bring a cord (although she provides one with the unit), but i prefer that to wireless (security and privacy).
9. When you are in your bedroom, look up. Our room had a beautiful Tuscan style painting on the roof.
10. A last tip: Francesca learned her English a couple of years ago, and while it is very good and she will understand you and you will understand her, she also welcomes the opportunity to learn new words and phrases, how words are pronounced and used. So, as she serves as your teacher about her city, offer to help her too with her english and teach her some new words and phrases. She will welcome this (or at least did with us).
Bottom line: go, enjoy this wonderful city, enjoy the wonderful accomodations, and enjoy your very pleasant hostess (and her wonderful family, she has a very cute young son who you may get to hear in the hall outside your room--not a disturbance, just an obviously happy, curious and excited child, as you will be in this city
10/10
mlhom1620 San Francisco, USA
2009-12-09
I highly recommend this place. Really hard to find but the location is awesome!! You are on a street that is across from the Academia. Grocery store a couple of stores away. Public transporation on the next block. All historical places walkable. It is very safe and secured since alot of tourists travel this street. The room and especially the bed was the best. The bed was nice and firm and was of a King size. Rooms are enormous and ceilings are tall. These are apartment hotels and very comforable with lots of room.
If you have the room facing the street, be prepared for noise in the middle of the night. Bring ear plugs. Also, there were mesquitoes buzzing in the middle of the night. Would have like a mesquito net so that we wouldn't worry about being bitten in the middle of the night.
10/10
bridgettemccaw yellowknife, NT USA
2009-12-20
My husband & I travelled all over Italy for our honeymoon this past October. Staying at Palazzo Alfani truly made our experience in Florence that much more remarkable! We were within walking distance of many amazing sights and restaurants and had the convenience of a grocery store and laundry mat nearby. Francesca was beyond amazing - from helping us with opera tickets to arranging our reservation to the Accademia. We will never forget the wonderful hospitality! Thank You - Thank You - Thank You :)
10/10
Natasha Babayan Mosca
2009-11-10
Sono appena tornata da Firenze dove per la seconda volta sono stata con gli amici al Palazo Alfani. Eravamo per 4 notti nell’appartamento San Giovanni molto spazioso, luminoso, arredato con gusto molto fine, munito di tutto il necessario e con il facilissimo accesso all’internet (per collegarsi bastava attaccare il cavo al mio computer). A due passi quasi nello stesso palazzo c’e’ il supermercato fornito di tutto per poter fare le squisite colazioni. La posizione del palazzo e’ ottima, non e’ molto lontano dalla stazione e tra la bellissima Piazza Dumo e Piazza San Marco. Il vero genio di questo posto e’ Francesca, la padrona del Palazzo Alfani, una persona bravissima, simpaticissima, molto disponibile ed attenta alle nostri esigenze, con la quale ti senti di essere il suo ospite personale gia’ due minuti dopo la conoscenza. Abbiamo seguito i suoi suggerimenti ed abbiamo mangiato al ristorante Accademia sulla piazza San Marco e al ristorante Francescano davanti alla basilica Santa Croce dove abbiamo gustato ottima pasta e ottima bistecca alla fiorentina. Palazzo Alfani per me e’ la miglior residence in Firenze e lo suggerisco ai miei amici che vogliono godersi il loro soggiorno nella bellissime citta’ del mondo.
10/10
Rebecca & Dan Charleston, South Carolina
2009-09-24
My husband and I spent 7 days at the Palazzo Alfani and were aboslutely delighted with our experience. Signora Alfani (Francesca) was a wonderful hostess, making us feel at home and assuring that all our needs were met. The apartment itself was lovely with an interior design that reflectst the owners love for the property (Signora Alfani and her family live on site). We would definitely stay here again and recommend it at the highest level to others seeking a truly wonderful experience in Florence.
Rebecca and Dan
10/10
ozcraft Athens
2009-09-24
Palazzo Alfani is a superb residence located right outside Galleria Accademia. We spend only 2 nights in the 4-room San Giovani Apartment but the impressions are the best. The Apartment was very clean and the hospitality worth to be mentioned. Siniora Francesca Alfani, the owner, was very polite and helpful and she made great efforts to enjoy our days there. Do not hesitate to ask her for tips (places to go, to eat etc).
For travellers not willing to leave their office behind, a reliable high speed internet access is available free of charge.
Highly recommended!
10/10
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