Hotel Basilea - Florence
Via Guelfa 41 - 50129 Florence
Double room from
€ 75 (Tax included)- Cleanliness of rooms
- Quietness of rooms
- Spaciousness of rooms
- Quality of service provided
- Hotel surroundings
7.9
7.1
7.6
8.0
7.6
‹‹ My Hotel stay was excellent. The owner greeted you in the morning for breakfast and made sure you had everything you wanted...just like your own Italian...››
17 Apr 2007 read hotel reviewsHOTEL OVERVIEW
exterior - entrance
Hotel Basilea, housed in a converted ex-convent built by Augustinian friars in the 1300's, is situated in Florence's historic San Lorenzo district, just a stone's throw from the famous San Lorenzo Market and within walking distance of such major attractions as the Accademia Museum, which houses Michelangelo's famous David statue, the Medici Chapel, the Duomo and the San Marco Museum.
Offering a comfortable and welcoming destination for business and leisure travellers alike, the hotel is easy to reach from the Santa Maria Novella railway station and offers an ideal base for a convenient visit of the city on foot.
A friendly and knowledgeable team is always on hand to give terrific advice or provide great suggestions and all kinds of useful information. All guests are provided with a detailed map of the city highlighting major points of interest and recommended restaurants upon their arrival. Front desk staff can also arrange bookings for museum tickets, permitting guests to avoid long queues.
Free Internet access is provided around the clock in the hotel lobby.
LOCATION
City Area:San Lorenzo
Position of the zone in the city
General map
GUEST ROOMS
double room
The property offers 38 comfortable guestrooms and family suites for up to five persons, each featuring private bathroom with hairdryer.
All rooms come equipped with direct dial phone, individually controlled air conditioning, colour TV, mini bar and modem connection.
Some rooms boast a small private balcony.
- Air conditioning
- Colour TV
- Direct dial phone
- Hairdryer in room
- Heating
- Individually controlled air conditioning
- Internet plug
- Mini bar
- Non-smoking rooms available upon request
BREAKFAST
breakfast room
A buffet breakfast is served in the breakfast room each morning between 7.30 a.m. and 10 a.m.
HOTEL FACILITIES
- Credit card accepted
- Currency exchange
- Dogs allowed
- Entire property is air conditioned
- Groups welcome
- Historic building
- Laundry service
- Lift/elevator
- Pets accepted
- Room service - limited hour
- City maps
- City tour
- Front desk - 24 hour
- Front desk - fax service
- Front desk - safety deposit box
- Luggage room
- Multilingual staff
- Tourist information
- Garage
- Valet service
- Internet/Email services
- Roof garden
HOTEL REVIEWS
Family with young children
Italy, Aug 2008
Bathroom old, cleanliness very poor, generally services poor, rather good welcome and kindness
Family with older children
Australia, Jun 2008
Florence was an experience, very great architecture and the Ufizi was great. Very busy and a bit dirty. Hotel was not in a great area and parking was not easy, also lots of one way streets or no vehicle access zones close to the Hotel. Room was a bit small and smelly, lots of noise from road and area was a bit "rough"
Family with older children
USA, Jul 2008
We were in a so called suite with our 3 children. It consisted of 2 adjoining rooms with 5 twin beds. The beds in our room were so poor that we could feel the springs in our backs. Also, our room was so narrow my Husband could extend his arms from one side of the room to the other and still have his elbows bent. It was ridiculous. The pictures looked completely different. The common areas were nice and the breakfast was nice as well.
Not Specified
Colombia, Jul 2008
Excelente hotel.Nos gusto mucho muy buena eleccion.
Family with older children
USA, Jul 2008
Hotel Basilea was a great value for the money. It was a perfect location, walking distance to the train station and all attractions. Staff was very professional and courteous. I would stay there again.
Young couple
USA, Jun 2008
A great overall hotel.
Mature couple
Norway, May 2008
Staff was friendly! But too much noice from the car, moped trafic on the street outside the hotel. A big minus! Will return to this hotel, but will ask for a room away from the main street.
Group
Spain, Apr 2008
estuve hospedada durante tres dias, las habitaciones eran antiguas pero limpias, el desayuno bien, muy centrico cerca de la estacion de trenes y del centro donde esta todo lo que hay que ver.
Mature couple
Venezuela, May 2008
Great Hotel, near everything and excellent service!
Single traveller
United Kingdom, May 2008
As hotels in Florence are generally expensive this was reasonably priced.The room was quite noisey possibly beacause some building work is in prograss at the rear of the hotel. Air conditioning is primative so it might be uncomfortable in the hot season.The man running the breakfast room was a bit 'heavy'
Mature couple
USA, Apr 2008
Location was good, room was fairly clean, in need of updates and repairs. Balcony was dirty, littered and in need of attention. Staff was not very friendly. We would give two stars for the value, location. I would suggest shopping around for a nicer hotel.
Family with older children
USA, Apr 2008
Nice room, excellent location
Mature couple
Sweden, Apr 2008
Nice clean little hotel with friendly staff and good breakfast. Some noice from traffic but what do You expect in a city? The hotel seems a little bit "off" when You look at the map and haven´t been to Florence before, but everything is in short walking distance.
Mature couple
USA, Apr 2008
Hotel overall had a dirty appearance. Bed uncomfortable, had to ask manager to turn the heat on. Too much money for the room.
Family with young children
USA, May 2006
excellent. very spaciour, clean rooms. execellent location.
Young couple
Russia, Jan 2008
Very nice hotel with good location (5 minuts walking to most places), spacious rooms, excellent stuff and very reasonable price.
Family with older children
USA, Dec 2007
Room was very spacious and quiet. Staff were friendly and helpful. Hotel was about 5 minutes walk from open air market and 15 minutes from the Duomo. Great hotel for the price!
Not Specified
USA, Nov 2007
The Hotel Basilea was in an extremely convenient location to the train station and to the Accademia. All of the other sites were easily within walking distance. The staff was extremely helpful and fluent in English. I would recommend the Hotel Basilea to anyone staying in Florence.
Family with young children
Spain, Oct 2007
La relació qualitat-preu es correcte, tot i que no estaria de mes tenir cura de petits detalls com seria el manteniment de les habitacions en aspectes tant simples com que es tanquin correctament les portes dels armaris, el flexo de la dutxa, les cortines .. i tenir mes cura de la neteja diaria dels banys,també es molt just la viarietat de l'esmorzar i el menjador massa petit, ja que hi havien problemes per col.locar la gent.
Group
Puerto Rico, Oct 2007
Grupo de 8 adultos en 4 cuartos dobles. 3 dias de estadia. Precio adecuado. Podrian ser mejor las facilidades. Nuestras senoras no se sintieron comodas. Ruidos en las habitaciones frente a la calle Guelfa. Desayuno muy bueno, pero encargada del mismo muy antipatica. Buena localizacion, cerca de la Galeria della Academia, Mercado Central, San Lorenzo, Duomo y otros importantes. Restaurantes, Trattorias y pizzerias cercanas satisfactorias por demas. Empleados de recepcion muy cooperadores y amables. Facilidades anticuadas. Sistema electrico pobre. Pluvial con buena presion pero aseos pequenos e incomodos. Olores objetables en los pasillos y otras areas comunes y privadas.
Mature couple
Brazil, Oct 2007
The key point of Basilea Hotel is its location, near of everything. It was my 3th staying at Florence but I would say that was the first time I really saw Florencethis. If you go there, and stay in Basilea, try to walk by the city early in the morning, before the crowds. You will see the wonderfull museum city of Florence. (My staying was in the last days of September 07)
Mature couple
USA, Sep 2007
TV has to have at least 2 english chanels. This hotel has no one.
Family with older children
USA, Aug 2007
My wife, son and I stayed at Basilea during an over-night vacation trip to Florence in August. Our room was quiet, clean and spaceous. The staff was extremely helpful and glad to answer all our questions. They kept our bags in storage while we enjoyed our second day in Florence. We took advantage of Basilea's valet parking - the convenience was well worth the additional charge. I highly recommend Basilea.
Young couple
Spain, Jul 2007
En general muy bien, cerca de todo, con una sala de desayunos y una terraza muy agradables. Lo único, que no todas las habitaciones son como las que se muestran en la web y necesita una reforma. Habitaciones muy tranquilas.
Mature couple
United Kingdom, Aug 2007
Good location,short walk into Florence, friendly staff.Had only one problem and that was that the bath/shower was too small and dangerous in our opinion,other than that a nice hotel.
Family with older children
Australia, Jul 2007
Close to SMN station but probably not walking distance if you have more than the lightest bag. Being close to the station means it is a good 10-15 mins walk to most of the things you will want to see in Florence but good reason to take it slowly and enjoy a gelato on the way. Hotel provided value for money but this means the rooms have seen better days. Eg while the room we (parents) took had a refurbished/modern bathroom the other two rooms did not. That said the airconditioning was quiet and worked well - essential when the temperature is above 35 degrees day after day - and it was comfortable and quiet. We welcomed the balconies (even without views) as a place where we could enjoy an economical lunch which we had bought ourselves. Bring your own bottle opener/corkscrew as it was tiresome having to go to the front desk to borrow one. Staff were a little reserved but once engaged only to willing to make reservations at the museums (to avoid the queues)and provide advice.
Young couple
Italy, Aug 2007
Fantastic for the welcoming for the parking for car, for the rooms i will came back when i can.
Ireland, Jul 2007
The staff at reception were very helpful and even booked us places for the opera ( when we enquiered about about the need to reserve seats)Our bedroom was very clean, the shower was tiny but good ( wouldn't want to be a big person having a shower!)But the room was very quiet with lovely views of rooftops. Breadfast was great with good variety of food on offer. The hotel was right in the middle of the city centre and we could walk everywhere from the hotel.Would certainly go back to hotel Basilica.
Not Specified
United Kingdom, Jul 2007
We only stayed in Florence for 1 night but the lady at reception was very helpful in getting reservations for the museum to see 'David' & ideas for max sightseeing in the time allowed. Fairly basic facilities but good value for money. Easily walkable from the train station & good location for sightseeing by bus
Mature couple
USA, Jun 2007
Our walk from the bus station was hot and confusing because Florence economizes on street signs and doesn't seem to use many. Once at the hotel we were welcomed gracefully, however and a bellman took our bags -- a welcome assistance, actually. Like many in Italy, our double room featured two small beds pushed together. The bathroom shower was a handheld wand which worked fine and there was plenty of water pressure. Staff was very pleasant and directed us to a restaurant a block away, where we had one of our finer meals. Internet use is isnformal -- a Mac is set up to the left of the reception and guests are asked to sign a log with name, room and time used.
Family with young children
Italy, May 2007
Hotel Basilea is nice and very close to the centre of Florence and to the central station.
Family with young children
Mexico, Apr 2007
This hotel is excellent, service offered by the hotel is very good, is very well located from all interesting places and the Rail station, is not neccesary to take taxi or bus to go to any interesting place from the hotel. In my next trip to Firenze I will stay again at this hotel.
Mature couple
USA, Apr 2007
Great location. Helpful and friendly staff.
Single traveller
USA, Apr 2007
My Hotel stay was excellent. The owner greeted you in the morning for breakfast and made sure you had everything you wanted...just like your own Italian grandmother. The rooms were spacious,clean and quite comfortable. There were plenty of restaurants near by as well as laundromats and grocery stores if you needed.Everything was within walking distance including the train station. I would stay here again if ever I return to Florence.
Family with older children
USA, Apr 2007
This was our third trip to Florence and we booked the Basilea online after being unable to get into the hotel where we stayed before -- the Castri. We were travelling as family and stayed in three rooms -- parents, two sons and their wives. The rooms were small and the hotel was scattered among three buildings reached by long, meandering hallways that worried us about fire escape. The elevator was miniscule. The front desk personnel were very cordial and helpful. The location was convenient to the central train station and to main tourist sites. This would not be our first choice if returning to Florence -- we would seek a higher-scale property.
Single traveller
USA, Mar 2007
While the room was tiny, it was all I needed for my stay, and I was very comfortable. The room was clean and well kept, the shower warm and the mattress firm. The common areas of this Old World Hotel were beautifully maintained, especially the lovely dining room. The hotel was within walking distance of all the hot spots (Uffizi, l'Accademie, Ponte Vecchio, Duomo) and especially the train station (about a 5 block walk). There was internet access in the lobby, which was helpful. The front desk was friendly, competent and happy to be of assistance. They put in a wake up call and got me a taxi to the airport at 4:00 a.m. The dining room was charming and the breakfast delicious. Servers added to the pleasure of the simple, elegantly provided meal. I would not hesitate to stay at this hotel again and highly recommend it.
Young couple
France, Mar 2007
Very noisy, we were able to listen to the TV of the next room !
Single traveller
United Kingdom, Nov 2006
I had to leave very early in the morning having arrived late. I wish I had the occasion to spend more time. A good hotel.
Mature couple
Israel, Nov 2006
We stayed 5 nights in Florence,had a room in back off the street with small balcony,lovely view of rooftops & Duomo,quiet (but noisy neighbors upstairs 2 nights),wonderful breakfast,fantastic capuccino, very friendly & helpful front desk staff and dining room, great location, easy walk from train and to all sites.We felt happy to be there, and would go back!
Mature couple
USA, Sep 2006
The only good thing about this hotel was it location, close to train station, and the breakfast. It was by far the worst hotel we stayed in. There was no toilet paper in the bathroom when we arrived, had to go down and get it. There were loose tiles under a rug that moved every time you walked on it. The bedspread looked dirty. The bathroom was so small, you had to step outside to dry off. The drain in the shower was slow so the floor flooded. The light was so dim you couldn't see in the mirror. Overall, I would NOT recommend. Front desk was not overly helpful. Had to ask where places were to go to. Breakfast had nice cappuccino.
Young couple
United Kingdom, Sep 2006
The hotel was a dissappointment, however the concierge made up for most of that by being extremely welcoming and helpful. The hotel doesn't appear to have had a refurb since 1972, and the breakfast was pathetic.
Young couple
United Kingdom, Sep 2006
The hotel was in a good position for visiting Florence - 7 min walk to train station and 10 min walk to Duomo. The hotel is well kept, clean and fairly good for a 3*,although it will need modernising in the near future. Staff were helpful and the old dear serving breakfast was a scream (even though she didn't speak a word of English).
Young couple
USA, Sep 2006
The location to the train station is well within walking distance so no worries there. All the major sites are very accessible via the streets (David, Medici, Duomo) and it's a real pleasure to head to these destinations because there's just so much to take in and see. The bed isn't the most comfortable, but this is pretty typical of any hotel in this price range across Italy so no complaints. The bathroom was on the smaller side (again, typical), but overall, the room was clean and the air conditioning is a must for summer time stays. Don't hesitate to make a reservation at this place. Thx to the other Venere users for helping me make the decision to stay at Basilea.
Family with older children
USA, Aug 2006
It is the sweetest place I think I have ever been. The front desk people are charming, the hotel was hard to find but WELL worth it, the rooms nice, the breakfasts yummy. A really enjoyable experience.
Group
USA, Jul 2006
The rooms were spacious, but the air conditioning in one of the rooms we reserved was not working and they did not fix it or switch us to another room. The breakfast was not satisfying; orange juice was watered down and croissant was stale. The hotel was located next to several good restaurants.
Canada, Jul 2006
Yhe Basilea is located 10 minutes from de l'Academie and 15 minutes from Piazza de la Signora. It is located in the center of the City. The breakfast was excellent and generous. Very clean and the services offered were rerpesentative of the inscription on the Internet site of the hotel.
Mature couple
USA, Jul 2006
The nice lady at the desk was simply outstanding. She helped us with ideas for lunch, dinner, and shopping. Her knowledge of Florence was very helpful. She saved us alot of time and energy. The hotel location made it easy to get around and was convenient to the rail station.
Family with young children
USA, Jun 2006
We were a family of 5 (3 kids)looking for accomodations that were close to downtown. Basilea did not disappoint. The hotel is very conviently located. It is a quick walk from the train station pulling a suitcase. It is an easy walk to all of the of the tourist sites. Just a quick walk to Academia and Duomo. The breakfast was ample and they offer either cappicino or regular brewed coffee. There is free internet in the hotel foyer which is very nice. The AC was great during the recent June 95 degree heat. We were very happy with this hotel and would recommend it for a stay in Florence.
Couple with children
USA, Jun 2006
Hotel is pretty run down and some rooms look depressing. Bath room had half shower glass so taking a bath and keeping the bath water in the tub was extremenly challenging. The hotel needs remodeling and upgrades desperately. Location is cental.
Heterosexual Couple
United Kingdom, Apr 2006
A most enjoyable experience, the location was very quiet (our room was at rear of hotel away from street), the staff were extremely friendly and helpful. I would have no hesitation in going back to this hotel.
MAP
district map
HOW TO REACH THE HOTEL
By car
From the north:
From either the A1 or A11 highway, exit at Firenze Nord and follow indications towards the Centro (city centre) until you reach the viale di circonvallazione (ring-road). Head onto viale Fratelli Rosselli (which becomes viale Filippo Strozzi), and follow this boulevard around the outside of the Fortezza da Basso (exhibition grounds), then continue along viale Spartaco Lavagnini. Halfway down this boulevard, turn right at the traffic lights into via S.C. D'Alessandria. Continue through piazza Indipendenza then turn left at the flashing amber traffic light into via Guelfa, where the hotel is located.
From the South:
Take the A1 highway, exit at Firenze Sud and proceed along the raccordo autostradale (connecting road) for approximately 7 km until you reach the river. Follow the river towards the Centro (city centre), then turn right into Viale G. Amendola and follow the ring road which starts at piazza Beccaria and changes names several times (viale Antonio Gramsci, piazzale Donatello, viale Matteotti) before it reaches piazza della Libertà. Drive three quarters of the way around the triumphal arch in the middle of the square and keep right so as to take via Lorenzo il Magnifico at the traffic lights, instead of continuing along the ring road. Turn left at the traffic lights into via Poliziano and cross over a major boulevard onto via S.C. D'Alessandria. Continue through piazza Indipendenza then turn left at the flashing amber traffic light into via Guelfa, where the hotel is located.
By train
From Santa Maria Novella railway station, the hotel can be reached on foot in around seven minutes (not recommended for those with heavy luggage). Alternatively, a taxi ride will only take three minutes and cost approximately €7,00.
By airplane
From the airport, either take a taxi directly to the hotel (approximately 15-20 minutes/€17,00) or take the Vola in bus shuttle service which takes only 20 minutes to reach the Santa Maria Novella railway station. From there, follow the above-said indications.
TRANSPORT SERVICES
- Garage
- Valet service
Discounted valet parking is available at a nearby garage.
HOTEL
exterior - entrance
ROOMS
double room
HOTEL FACILITIES
terrace
Guests will appreciate the lovely view of the belltower belonging to the adjacent San Barnaba Church while they enjoy a relaxing break on the hotel's delightful roof terrace.
GUEST PICTURES
balcony view from our room
HOTEL POLICIES
METHODS OF PAYMENT
Venere.com does not debit your credit card for your reservations. You will be asked to insert your credit card details which will be sent to the property only as a guarantee of the reservation. The bill will then have to be settled directly at the hotel. In case your chosen hotel needs a deposit, this information will be included in the "Cancellation policy" section and the deposit will have to be settled directly with the pre-selected property. It is not possible to cancel your reservation if you selected and booked a room indicated as "PREPAID/NOT REFUNDABLE".
CHECK-IN & CHECK-OUT
Check-in: the rooms are available at any time after 1 p.m.
Check-out: it is necessary to vacate the rooms prior to midday.
INCLUDED/NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
Valet parking is not included in the price and costs between €25,00 and €35,00 overnight.
Internet access is provided free of charge in the hotel lobby.
Breakfast is included in the price.
CANCELLATION POLICY
PREPAID NOT REFUNDABLE: YOUR CREDIT CARD WILL BE
CHARGED FOR THE TOTAL COST OF YOUR BOOKING THE AMOUNT CHARGED IS NOT REFUNDABLE
You may cancel your reservation without penalty up until 3 days before your arrival date, by accessing the Your Reservations page. It is not possible to cancel your reservation if you selected and booked a room indicated as "PREPAID/NOT REFUNDABLE".
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