Hotel Santa Maria Novella - Florence

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Family with older children

stayed in Mar 2008

This was the best hotel we stayed at in a 4 city trip to Vienna Austria and Italy. By far the largest rooms, nicest bathroom, excellent breakfast, beautiful common areas. Lots of nice soaps, lotions, even bedroom slippers for all. It was less expensive and much nicer than the rooms we stayed at in Rome and Venice. And very convenient to the train station to walk with roller suitcases, and also very close to major tourist areas and Duomo. We highly recommend Santa Maria Novella hotel.

Guest name: LD, USA

Average rating:  8.6

Guest type: Family with young children

stayed in Mar 2008

I stayed in this hotel with my wife and my son (1 year old). People were very kind to us, room was very good (space enough for a child) and location is perfect (city center). The only negative comment is that our room has not a direct elevator, so we had stairs up and down to get in and out. With a baby it is not comfortable. I strongly recommend this hotel but you must ask for the proper room.

Guest name: AS, Spain

Average rating:  8.5

Guest type: Family with older children

stayed in Mar 2008

This is very close to the train station and also within walking to sites in Florence. The hotel was nicer than I expected and the breakfast was also very nice.

Guest name: KR, USA

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Dec 2007

This is an excellent hotel. The rooms are spacious and quiet. The staff was very helpful. The location is supurb. You cannot do better when in Florence.

Guest name: HG, USA

Average rating:  9.2

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Sep 2007

Excellent hotel and location. Close of many attraction and the train station. It is ideal if you are planning to go to Siena, Pisa or other destination by train, the hotel is a very short walk, and just a few steps of Santa Maria Novella Church. The breakfast room is very nice as well as the breakfast provided. Receptionist and concierges have been very helpful. We recommend this hotel. Start early, too many places to see, Duomo, Baptistery, Palazzo Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti, Pontevecchio, Uffizi gallery, gallery della Academia, Piazza della Republica, etc. Local tours will help you a lot to understand the history, sculptures, paints of this unvaluable places. Florence is a place to come back, three days for us was not enough.

Guest name: DM, USA

Average rating:  6.8

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Oct 2007

The hotel itself was fine and I would normally reccommend it. However, one of the principle reasons for booking this hotel was the wonderful location in Piazza Santa Maria Novella overlooking the church and beautiful square. I even paid an extra supplement for a room overlooking the square. When we arrived the whole square was a building site with the church scaffolded out of site - very ugly. This was not pointed out to me when I specifically asked for a room with a view (and a supplement) and I feel that the staff were wrong to accept my request for the better room without informing me that there was no view to be had. This was rather disappointing to say the least. I would advise anyone considering booking the hotel who is aware of its nortmally exquisite location to check that the bulding work is completed first - they told me it won't be till sometime next year.

Guest name: Anthony McCluskey, United Kingdom

Average rating:  9.1

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Oct 2007

A wonderful hotel in a fabulous city. Really close to SMN train station and within easy walking distance to most attractions and restaurants. The room we had was beautiful and the bed was very comfortable. Staff was pofessional and efficient. I highly recommend this hotel. The only downside was the current redevelopment of the piazza so views were somewhat diminished.

Guest name: DC, United Kingdom

Average rating:  7.0

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Sep 2007

Major construction in the Piazza across from the hotel. Thus, a lot of construction equipment and noise. Should be done in a year. Very convinent to the train station. Restaurant recommendations were poor. room was small, but very nice.

Guest name: Carl Raglin, USA

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jul 2007

A beautiful hotel. It seemed like I was in a world of Vermeer's painting. The bathroom was spacious. Location was nice, too. 5 minutes walk from S.M.Novella station and in front of the Piazza di S.M.Novella. It was not due to the hotel, however, I was disappointed that Chiesa di S.M. Novella was under reconstruction.

Guest name: YM, Japan

Average rating:  8.5

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jan 2007

The hotel is very beautiful (ancient style) and in a excellent position, close to the railstation (150 meters) and the center. Good services (tea corner in the room, flat TV)

Guest name: Gabriele Manfredi, Italy

Average rating:  8.6

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Jan 2007

Overall, a nice hotel, small and quiet, staffed by nice people, and very well decorated, offering good to very good value. Potential customers should keep in mind that it does not include a restaurant (there are many in the area), and is "only" on the edge of the historic district (10 minutes walk to the main monuments). On the plus side, breakfast is very pleasant. On the minus side, the Internet connection is miserably slow and unreliable.

Guest name: Philippe Berend, France

Average rating:  8.6

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Dec 2006

fantastico soggiorno

Guest name: FT, Italy

Average rating:  8.3

Guest type: Group

stayed in Nov 2006

The hotel itself is nearly flawless. The staff, despite being extremely professional, are somewhat snobbish. I had a feeling of being treated with an attitude. I don't want to speculate the reason behind this, for I think I've fulfilled all the basic responsibilities a hotel guest should have done so, except to look and act like I'm rich and famous, just like most other guests did. Therefore, I don't think the problem is on my side. Anyhow, I wasn't bother by the attitude of the members of staff at all, if you are as care free as I am, you should try this hotel because physically, it's a classy and comfortable hotel to stay in. Otherwise, you'd better use a piece of expensive suitcase or wear ostentatious outfit in order to gain being respected in this establishment.

Guest name: Yat Yiu Yu, Hong Kong

Average rating:  7.3

Guest type: Family with older children

stayed in Nov 2006

We had a very nice bedroom (a triple superior) BUT the third persone had a "canapé-sofa" and not a real bed. We didnot have ANY view at all (the window was in front of a wall). The breakfast was poor. The parking is not in the hotel and the way to get to the hotel with your car is not well explained. The decoration is excellent and the bathroom perfect. The beds are very confortable.

Guest name: JB, Italy

Average rating:  7.7

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Nov 2006

Rooms are good firnished and bathroom was quite spacious. Especially the shower was excellent. There was two shower head in the bathroom and one was huge and feel like big water fall !! Staffs are quite kind but reception desk was relatively small and sometime jamed. Unfortunatly, there was building constraction going on next to hotel, so it was not so quiet at our stay.

Guest name: Koichi Aoki, Japan

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Oct 2006

a perfect reception. high qualified people to manage the hotel and guests. great location. superb environment. my staying in florence for vacation was enhanced by the support from the people at the hotel.

Guest name: Maryon Gucailo, USA

Average rating:  9.9

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Sep 2006

Quaint but absolutely brand spanking new -- That is the description for this hotel. The rooms are beautiful and spacious. The public rooms, bar, etc. are museum quality. It is close to the train station, a bit of a negative except when leaving on the train, but it is close to Il Duoma, Ponte Vecchio bridge, and numerous really good restaurants. The staff helped us arrange a van and a driver for a fabulous day trip to Siena, San Gimingano and the Chianti region. The price was astonishingly low for the quality of the rooms and the hotel. We would stay there again in a heartbeat.

Guest name: Robert Johnston, USA

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Apr 2006

This is a wonderful hotel in a charming area. We could not possibly have asked for more. The staff was friendly and helpful, the rooms very pretty and comfortable. Breakfast delicious and served in a beautiful room. There was some construction immediately beside the hotel, but that didn't bother us. The proximity of the train station isn't a problem. Visiting the adjacent Santa Maria Novella church was one of the highlights of our trip. The shops nearby ranged from designer to artisan. It was easy to spot the popular restaurants as they were always full. Many were quite reasonably priced. In our opinion, the property was worth the splurge.

Guest name: Jane Applegate, USA

Average rating:  9.2

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Mar 2006

The Santa Maria Novella, its a beautifull hotel, the room and bathroom are good sise, remember Europe rooms are not big.I could see the Piazza Santa Maria Novela from my two windows room,and that is special.

Guest name: Carmen Blanco Uribe, Spain

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Group

stayed in Mar 2006

This is the second time we have stayed at the Santa Maria Novella, and it is without doubt the most beautiful hotel we have ever come across. It is an exceptional hotel, an oasis of luxury right in the centre of Florence. The location, overlooking the church of Santa Maria Novella, is simply perfect.

Guest name: Marie Dunn, United Kingdom

Average rating:  8.8

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Mar 2006

A really lovely hotel with a wonderful shower! We stayed in a superior room, which was very spacious, with ane extremely comfortable bed. The staff were friendly, it was just a shame that there was not a restaurant in the hotel for when you're feeling lazy.

Guest name: SH, United Kingdom

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Group of friends

stayed in Jul 2005

The hotel was great...perfect location, spacious rooms...outstanding service. I will stay there again when I return to Florence.

Guest name: PL, Italy

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Couple with children

stayed in Jul 2005

ES UN BUEN HOTEL, ESTA BIEN SITUADO EN UNA ZONA TRANQUILA PERO CENTRICA. LAS HABITACIONES SON ESPACIOSAS Y LOS BAÑOS EXCELENTES( RARO DE VER EN ITALIA)

Guest name: AF, Spain

Average rating:  9.1

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in Jun 2005

a great hotel, very clean, friendly and with agreat location

Guest name: Mauricio Tommasi, Mexico

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in Jun 2005

This is certainly one of the most ellegant hotels in Florence. I had 1 single and 1 double room for my family and both were great. The rooms were very large and the decoration... just perfect! The hotel staff recommended us 2 restaurants: Buca Mario (which was fairly good) and Cafe Piti (which was excellent!). Believe me, you should try the Cafe Piti. Despite the name "Cafe", this is a large restaurant with nice environment and very high service standards. The food is just great! They offer different dishes but they specialize in truffle-based ones. At Cafe Piti, even the bread was good! (In general, bread in Firenze is bit disappointing, as it has no salt...) Expect to spend 40+ euros per person including wine.

Guest name: CL, Japan

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Gay Couple

stayed in Apr 2005

The room was very nice, great bath room, the hotel staff was very nice and helpfull. The location was great to the train station and old city center

Guest name: JM, USA

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Gay Couple

stayed in Jan 2005

We very much enjoyed this hotel. Located near train station as well as central city. Excellent choice, beautiful rooms. Helpful staff.

Guest name: JEFFREY KNOX, USA

Average rating:  9.9

Guest type: Couple with children

stayed in Dec 2004

it's a very fine address for holidays

Guest name: Herbert Rohrauer, Austria

Average rating:  9.2

Guest type: Single leisure traveller

stayed in Nov 2004

The restaurant for dinner recommanded by the hotel was inelegant in taste and quality of the food. As a 4 star hotel it should offer much better restaurants so that it will give a satisfaction to guests in accord with the level of the reputation.

Guest name: FN, Switzerland

Average rating:  9.1

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Oct 2004

Wonderful hotel, excellent location, friendly and knowledgeable staff, great service. It was a little expensive, but "you get what you pay for" as they say. The hotel is a 5 minute walk from the station (SMN) - no need for any taxis. Within walking distance of all the major museums, etc and very quiet at night as it overlooks a plaza not a busy street. Staff more than willing to help by printing off museum, church opening/closing times as well as train timetables for our return journey. We paid for an upgrade to a superior room - much more space and the view was to die for (standard room was a bit cramped). A few minor gripes: 1.The room was a little hi-tech (lights and air-con controlled by inserting the key fob into a slot in the wall), but there was no real explanation of how to operate things - I accidentally pulled on the bathroom emergency cord several times thinking it was the extractor fan which resulted in a call from reception asking if I was OK !! This then locked out the air con panel. Sorted out quickly by the front desk. 2. The Satellite TV only had MTV, Eurosport and CNN for english channels 3. No coffee or milk, only teas - fruit, herbal, etc. Strange for a continental country. On the whole though a wonderful hotel that met our needs perfectly. If you can afford it and want a little bit of luxury I would recommend the SMN highly.

Guest name: HR, United Kingdom

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Aug 2004

Superior room was provided at rate of a standard room. quality of a standard room was uncertain.

Guest name: MS, Japan

Average rating:  9.6

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in Aug 2004

Rooms including dining room and lobby are all beautiful. Breakfast is excellent. Very close to down town and convenient.

Guest name: YASUSHI SAKURAI, Japan

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Jun 2004

There was construction all around our hotel., building as well as ground. Knowing this fact in advance, I would not have booked this hotel at ths time.

Guest name: Anthony Prizzia, USA