Hotel California - Florence

6.2

Quality of internet service offered was very poor: one PC in front of the welcoming door and expensive tarif available. There are 2 public tarifs but when we asked for the "cheapest" (3 euros=30minuntes) there were not cards so we had to pay for the expensive one (6 euros=1hour) to check the fly. Bath was large and new but Jacuzzi did not work.

7.3

The Hotel is very good ubicated , rooms are small but clean. Personal are competented.

8.0

The hotel was VERY near everything! It's ideal if you want to see the important sights in the center of Florence. The last day check out was a bit early (11am).. There was no wireless internet.

8.1

Our issue was that due to the construction and a strong rainstorm the floor of our room was very wet when we awoke. The water soaked into the bedspread hems and our luggage. I was not impressed by the lack of concern from the management. They did render us new bedspreads and cleaned up the water. We had to ask for more "bathmats" which the hotel had used to attempt to prevent the water from coming in under the window/doors. The hotel is in a very convenient section of town and seemed safe and quiet. The first floor entrance is a bit off putting but upon arrival via the lift the hotel was fine. It is hard to find any rooms in Florence for that price so that is a plus.

7.8

We liked the hotel, and the breakfasts were good. Only seemed like one person spoke English, but they were on top of things, like a burned out bulb. We liked the location, up the street from the Duomo and on the same street as the Ufizzi musuem.

9.1

Hotel California is located halfway between the Duomo and the Accademia (about 1.5 blocks from each). There's an elevator if you want, but it's only on the second floor (3rd floor American). The people running the hotel are very helpful and serve a nice continental breakfast. The public space is rather limited, but you don't go to Florence to hang around in the public space at the hotel!! We had a very nice experience.

4.6

The hotel location is excellent and the rooms were clean. However, the rooms were somewhat lacking. We were traveling with another couple and we were booked into adjacent rooms 111 and 112. The wall between the rooms was so thin we could talk to each other in a normal voice and easily understand each other. Infact our friends could even hear me dial out on my cell phone. Our shower was also very small (about 2 ft x 2.5 ft). I'm average size and could not even turn around in the shower. The hotel is OK for a short stay, but try not to get rooms 111 or 112 if you want privacy.

8.9

Hotel California was excellent value for money - we stayed a week. Staff polite and helpful. Twin room quiet with good view of Duomo from balcony. Breakfast was good with plenty of cereals, yoghurts, cheese & ham with bread rolls, toast, jams, croissants and always a very large attractive bowl of fresh fruit. Terrace is being renovated by builders at present but not warm enough yet to sit outside in early a.m. Our room was large, bathroom a little cramped but very clean. Lockable safe in wardrobe. When arriving look for blue No. 30 Via Ricasoli. Streets are dual numbered - red nos. are for shops. Hotel north of Via Pucci on rt. Situation for sightseeing fantastic. Half way between Duomo and Accademia Gallery. Exceeded our expectations - would certainly go back to Hotel California again. PS You get used to the lift- not a problem!

9.3

Ideal location in Florence; easy walking to major sites; nice room with up to date bathroom facilities; Management very helpful for parking and reservations for Uffizi and Academia. HIghly recommended

8.4

Small, family run hotel very close to Duomo and other attractions. Staff was very responsive and helpful. Although the rooms are small, as are many Italian hotels, they were most accomodating to put our group (3 rooms)together. Rooms were cleaned each day very well. Breakfast good and they allowed our group to use the breakfast room for dinner one night. We had a rental car for a few days and they were most helpful to have the garage deliver and pick up our vehicle. Overall a most enjoyable stay.

8.4

We had a beautiful room with a view of the Duomo. The hotel was well located, within walking distance of both the train station and city center. Breakfast was good. The only negative was the thin walls which allowed noises, compounded by the construction work at the front of the hotel.

4.5

We did not receive the room as requested and confirmed. Upon check-out, the bill was double the confirmation. We refused to pay the new amount and said we would only pay according to the written confirmation. Their website says internet access in rooms. It's dial-up. Breakfast was fine. They were attentive to requests. Location was superb. It was okay, but won't stay here again.

8.0

The location is nice, very close to the Duomo. However, the room is lacking a strong person to suggest.

5.6

The hotel is well situated in the heard of the city, room clean and spacious enough for one person. Staff at the welcome desk not realy nice, very poor quality of the breakfast, I would not recommend this hotel for more than one night.

2.4

We was in this hotel in January 2008. It was very cold in hotel. Heater in room is not working. Reseptionist saw to us that air condition can work only in summer. In the evening we can hear discution of Italian couple from another room :)) The walls is from paper, I think. Internet on reception is not working. One plus - location of hotel. But it's not 3 star, and not for this price. It's awful hotel!!!

9.2

New and good facilities in the room. The price (off-season) is quite reasonable for the quality of stay.

7.5

All was fine...the location excellent, the cleanliness, quiteness...since the momente when my girlfriend in lingerie, while she goes to bathroom, see the door opens without someone knocking...a member of the staff entered without asking!!! Unbelievable! I was furious...as you can imagine...

6.5

Great location, only 5-10 minute walk from Firenze SMN, you don't need to take a cab. And the hotel was more than accommodating when we had to change our check-in due to train delay. The Accademia is to the right of the hotel and to the left is the Duomo. You can't beat the location. The free continental breakfast is nice and an added bonus is the small bar in the lobby. For the price it is a good hotel.

7.5

Nice hotel, very well located in the middle of the historical center, very close to the dome, close to restaurants, close to museums. Only bad point about the hotel : the breakfast was really not very good the first morning. It is possible to have much better coffee and pastries in Italy. So we just went somewhere else after that first bad experience.

8.6

Nice hotel, great location. Our room had brocken tile! Nice bathroom but awkward shower. Walking distance from train station and Doumo!

8.5

Perfecta ubicación, servicio excelente.

6.8

e' situato a due passi dal centro, ma l'albergo è molto deludente e decadente. Personalemnte non amo gli alberghi nei condomini e questo è situato al primo piano di un condominio fatiscente. Per chi vuole stare al centro ed ha poche pretese. PS. Attenzione il garage costa 23/25 euro al giorno!

5.0

the woman who was there at night and cooked breakfast was very unfriendly and rude. the room and location were fine.

8.7

Excellent location,Right near the duomo,jacuzzi,comfortable beds, thin towels

8.1

Good location. Easy to reach the main tourist points. Employee are polite and pleasant. The service and information they provided is helpful and in good quality. If I go Florence again, I will choose this hotel.

8.3

Hotel's location was great. When you first see this hotel, you might be in a surprise, but the people are warm, friendly and very helpfull. Rooms are clean and spacious, we were lucky to have the triple room for double.

8.8

As noted by other patrons the key difficulty is finding the actual location. Better and more prominent signage would help greatly as would better and correct street signage and numbering. However once found what a great location and professional service.

8.1

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Hotel California - the rooms were clean & spacious and the staff, particularly Gabriella, was very kind and helpful. The location is fantastic - only steps away from the Duomo & Accademia! And the rest of Firenze is a pleasant walk away as well. The only downside to this stay is that there were lots of very loud noises outside our window that made sleep in the morning very difficult. In addition to loud trash pickups, there was also construction going on and a cafe right below us. Overall, we would recommend this hotel to people on a budget who are looking for a clean hotel in a great location.

8.6

Qualche difficoltà per raggiungere l'hotel con l'auto, ma una volta arrivati tutto è filato liscio. La posizione è centralissima, lo staff cortese e disponibile, buona la colazione, camera e bagno puliti. C'è un ottimo ristorante nelle vicinanze, lasciatevi consigliare dallo staff. Il parcheggio dell'auto è a pagamento in un garage privato nelle vicinanze.(1,5 €/h) Struttura sicuramente da consigliare per una visita a scopo culturale di Firenze.

8.8

nice clean hotel situated at the second floor of an old house; it's very close to the centre, at a walking distance from the Duomo and from the Railway Station; very good the relationship between price and quality.

7.9

Camera accogliente e silenziosa con bagno pulito e facilmente accessibile (non il solito angusto angolino). Buona colazione. Da notare una deliziosa terrazza nel cortile interno: un angolo di pace a due passi dal Duomo. Ci torneremo di sicuro.

7.8

The location could not be better, but the second floor lobby is a little hard to find. The staff was helpful, and the deck was pleasant, albeit without a view.

8.3

It was as the reviews said: clean, tidy, welcoming and right in the heart of Florence. It doesn't have a classic entrance, but it does have sneaky views of the Duomo and a lovely cool terrace. It's scarily difficult to drive to, no map can help you round the one way system - only satnav! But once there, it's right at the heart of the Florence with all the sights on the doorstep. It was our first trip to the city, but it won't be our last!

9.4

Petit Hotel symphatique idéalement situé au coeur du centre historique. Accueil correct et serviable. Chambres propres, accueillantes et sdb en marbre plutôt classe. Service de parking pour la voiture payant mais pratique. Votre voiture est prise en charge à l'arrivée - pensez à prévenir. En principe l'accés du centre historique est interdit.

7.8

We requested a room with a view of the duomo and it was fabulous.

7.3

Tutto bene prezzo più che buono.Se vogliamo trovare per forza qualcosa che non va, la doccia è troppo piccola.

6.4

The best thing about this property is its location; just 2 minutes walk to the Piazza Duomo. Our room was quite small (probably 'coz we got a quadruple type). Seems we got a room that's not yet really ready for occupancy because there were unpainted parts visible. Well, enough that we had a place to spend a night..as long as it has functioning a/c and private bathroom(w/c is hard to find at a reasonable price in the center of Firenze). The beds were quite hard though. Breakfast was ok but not sumptuous. All in all, our stay was ok, if it was not great. Tip: When you stroll around Piazza Duomo or even in the buses, always pay attention and take care of your bags or belongings. There are a lot of pick pockets..men..and some dress well and mix w/ the tourists.

9.8

Great centrally located hotel. We walked from the train station to the California. We did have packs which made it a bit easier. The sign made it easy to spot, and it does have a fairly large lift. Accommodations were very comfortable. Their ontinental breakfast was the only one out of our Italy stay that offered cooked eggs. Would definitely stay there again.

7.5

Very well situated hotel when you have small children. The DUOMO is 5 minutes(walk) away and other attractions very close. Clean hotel and quiet rooms. Would go back anytime...You don't pay for parking on weekends, you can park in the street for free. What a clean city...

8.9

quiet hotel in the centre of Firenze. Well located between Museo dell'Accademia and the Duomo. Correct breakfast. I recommend this hotel.

8.9

The hotel is perfectly located in the centre of Florence, approx 300yds from the Academia museum and the Duomo in the opposite direction. The room we were given was very spacious with a balcony as well. The breakfast was entirely sufficient with a wide selection available. The lobby is quite small and located on the first floor but who stays in the lobby! This hotel is great value for its location, facilities and rooms. I would certainly stay here again.

7.8

everything was good except the shower did not drain properly.

9.2

Once you find the hotel the location is excellent. You can walk to all major attractions. We drove there and as in most old European cities it is challenging getting to the center of town due to many one way streets. There is no street parking and no easily accessible parking garages. They offered a parking service where the car was picked up and delivered to us which worked well for 1 euro per hour. Upon arrival you may find the entrance a little intimidating, you have to go up several flights of stairs or a really old elevator to get to the reception. Once there everything is very nice including the rooms and a very nice breakfast area. Very good value overall.

6.4

Well, very noisy rooms: I could hear people from the next room taking their shower. Don't try to sleep if you don't bring hearplugs: you hear people walking in the corridor as if they were in your room. The breakfast was everything but impressive, and the terrace doesn't save it all. I booked a single room, I got a double, so I had enough space. The location is a good point, 3min from the Duomo. Overall not the greatest hotel I've ever seen, I'm pretty sure you can find other places with the same central location.

9.6

You'll love it!

9.0

Exterior of hotel was disappointing but the interior was a pleasant surprise. Reception was friendly and recommended some good restaurants nearby. Breakfast service could be more friendly.

7.4

You are paying for the location. Hotel is okay - no complaints, breakfast good, staff friendly, accommodations fair, location GREAT.

7.3

The hotel doesn't look that great from outside, but what a pleasant surprise once you go upstairs. The rooms were clean and quite spacious. The breakfast was VERY terrific. The hotel is in a good location. The staff was not so friendly.

8.8

Although I had some small difficulties to find the hotel, and some doubts rose when I saw the entrance hall, everything was simoultaneously forgotten when I met the staff and saw my room, which was nicely furnished and clean. The room was really cosy and the bathroom left nothing to wish. The breakfast was served in a hall with big windows overlooking a nice terrace, where I spent a couple of hours with a superb bottle of red wine (5 euros!) and a good book in the evening before dinner. I really enjoyed this little hotel, and being a frequent traveller in Italy, it was absolutely worth the money charged. Besides the hotel being situated a couple of hundred meters from the Dome and ten minutes walking distance from the Santa Maria Novella railway-station, makes it even better. I guess no one will be disappointed choosing this Hotel California for their stay in Firenze. It just has a lot of hearth...

7.5

This hotel was the nicest and most expensive that we stayed at in Italy. The staff was less friendly than those at other hotels or hostels, but it was not a problem. The room was very nice, and had a beautiful view of Il Duomo. The breakfast spread was the nicest we saw. A pretty good value overall.