Hotel Balestri - Florence

9.8

Beautiful and nice hotel just two minutes walk from the Uffici - extremely good value for money!

10

Family vacation - the experience at Hotel Balestri was excellent. Excellent location, room, breakfast. We wished we had booked longer in Florence and specifically at Hotel Balestri

7.7

The room was dissapointing, compared with the rest of the hotel.

9.7

Très bien situé! Cet hotel est parfait pour visiter Florence un ou deux jours. Il est tout près du Ponte Vecchio avec vue sur l'Arno et à quelques minutes de marche de plusieurs sites à visiter. Le quartier est calme et agréable. De plus un valet stationne votre voiture. Le reste (décoration, déjeuner, personnel) est OK mais sans être exceptionnel. Attention si vous réserver sur la place Maria Novella car elle est en réparation ( juillet 2008).

8.7

Outstanding location. Excellent level of services. Returning to Florence we will certainly stay at this hotel again.

6.4

First time in Florence, and stayed here 2 nights out of a 5 week holiday. Most expensive accommodation we stayed in on our trip and most disappointing. Not as close to the station as we expected, and it is a hard slog to walk with full suitcases. Staff are polite but very stiff and starchy. There was none of the warmth that we experieneced at our other hotels. Our first impression was heavily coloured by the fact that when the porter opened the door to our room it hadn't been made up, and we had to go back down to reception to get it all sorted. Hotel location is good - central to all of the main Florentine attractions. The quality and the furnishings of the room were excellent. After all the hype we had heard about Florence, we found it generally didn't live up to expectations and is basically over-rated. Great if you like things (statues and paintings), but if you want to enjoy the people, we found them in general much more aloof and less friendly and helpful than those we encountered in the rest of Tuscany and Italy in general. Great example was the pompous official at the Galleria dell’ Accademia who made us stand in line behind 100 or so school students, despite the fact that their (Spanish) teacher took us to the front of their line to avoid the hour we spent queueing for tickets.

9.1

This hotel was in a very convenient location to get to all the major attractions. I was very pleased with this hotel. We came to florence to sight see. The hotel was clean and had a great view of the Arno River.

9.1

If you really want to stay in a luxury hotel, Balestri is not for you; but this hotel is completely fitting with a "3 stars" hotel; really good and nice welcoming and services (French, German speaking); very well located; we had a room with view on Arno and Ponte Vecchio...If i have to come back to Florence, I will go to Balestri

9.9

Exellent place I recommend (exept the breakfast which is a rather poor).

8.9

The hotel was very clean. The rooms were a bit dated looking, but comfortable. The bathroom was large and our room had a bath tub in it. There was not much hot water available for the shower, and if you wanted to actually take a bath in the bathtub, there was not enough hot water to do so. We asked the front desk to recommend a restaurant for dinner, and they made reservations for us at a place we really enjoyed that was near the hotel. Overall, this was a pretty nice hotel.

9.2

Hi,after the bad news "reservation o.k., no more room availble" they send us to their partner hotel "Santa Maria Novella" / so you find our feedback about the other hotel - it was very first class stay in florence and we will come back!

8.3

A balcony was a must to compensate for the size of the room. The location was excellent. Breakfast was rather sparse - thought they could have included eggs without extra charge.

8.0

Cuando llegamos la empleada que nos recibio nos atendio en forma descuidada. La contraseña para ingresar a internet no funcionaba y se molesto cuando baje con la maquina a demostrarselo. Ademas como llegamos a la noche le preguntamos por un lugar para comer y no logramos verlo ni ese dia ni en los subsiguientes. El staff que nos atendio cuando hicimos el check out fue completamente diferente y se preocupo de confirmar nuestros vuelos con toda celeridad. Vale la pena contratar una habitación con vista al Arno, fue una maravilla levantarse con ese cuadro en la ventana.

8.6

We loved the view of the Arno River from our room. Also the large bathroom. The location was excellent for walking to all the sights of the city.

9.1

The location was excellent! The room was clean and large enough. The bathroom same. The view of the river and city was very good. The public areas of the hotel very good. The breakfast was fine. The staff was very professional, very capable, and willing to help; very resourceful. We never waited longer than 5 minutes for a taxi once we asked the desk to call one. We were disappointed that some members of the desk staff seemed to prefer not to be disturbed - yet when greated and help requested they were completely helpful. Also, unfortunately our bed was the hardest we have experienced in four recent trips to Europe. We likely will return to the Balestri on our next visit.

9.4

beautiful hotel, very competent staff.

9.5

The Hotel location and the friendliness of the staff was outstanding. Althought the Hotel serves breakfast, it does not offer lunch or diner. That does not present a problem, as the staff can recommend many fine resturants within walking distance from hotel. Only negative about the hotel is that the bed in the room is extra firm, and could be softer for a more comfortable nights rest.

7.2

This is a central hotel only a very short walk from all the important tourist attractions and top restaurants. Parking is a problem naturally. The rooms were clean and basic and not luxurious in any way but generally speaking we were delighted with the hotel and the staff and we found it good value for money.

8.4

The assistance and friendliness of all staff was outstanding. Location of Balestri is ideal. I think the breakfast could be improved. Fresh fruit? The attendant in the breakfast room though was so helpful and brought anything to us that we needed. My only critisism is that the single room that I was allocated was so small. I am realising that as a single person, we are always allocated the smallest and pokiest rooms in hotels and this was the case at Balestri. However the view over the Arno was great. I would definitely return and hope to find the renovations all complete by then. Please keep me updated on the renovations and when all is complete. Thanks for a very enjoyable stay.

9.9

Close to major attractions of the city. Request Arno river view.

9.6

The location was perfect and the efficieny, friendliness and helpfulness on arrival could not be faulted. We are a 'mature, family and booked 3 rooms i.e.2 doubles and 1 single for adults with age range from 31 to 59. Hotel ideal for guests looking for a quality central base for sightseeing and dining out.

10

The hotel was beautiful & excellent location! The staff was very knowledgeable and friendly while offering excellent service. GREAT value. Newly renovated, large rooms, nice breakfast and, worth mentioning again, excellent service!

8.3

we stayed two nights in florence, the hotel was quiet near everywhere...good location and specialy very good welcoming and our room was too spacious

9.9

Nous avons passé deux jours dans cet hôtel en fin de semaine au mois d'août : ce fut une bonne surprise. Il est très bien situé en bord de l'Arno, très tranquille malgré les Offices et le Ponte Vecchio à trois cents mètres. Les chambres sont très propres, la salle de bain très clean. L'établissement a un petit air suranné, ce qui n'est pas déplaisant. Le hall est habilement décoré, à l'ancienne. Les employés sont charmants, et le portier de nuit est un spécialiste de la peinture florentine ! Il suffit de comprendre l'italien pour tout savoir sur Pietro Annigoni, portraitiste du siècle passé. Nous recommandons très volontiers cet hôtel où nous ne manquerons pas de retourner...un giorno, speriamo : perchè Firenze è veramente una splendida città.

10

Great location, service very good. Rooms looked a little "spartan" in decor, but not bad in any way, just not to our taste. Breakfast included in the price of the room was very good and served in a nice room. Considering the location and the price, it's a great deal. Highly recommended.

8.5

El Hotel Balestri es un hotel que está situado en un punto estratégico de florencia, se puede ir caminando al casco antiguo de florencia, no es ruidoso, el único fallo son los desayunos un pocos escasos, sin fruta fresca, pero bueno.

9.6

Great location in Florence, most attractions are easy within easy walking distance, even with a two year old! Very accomodating staff, the room I was initially assigned did not have a cot for my daughter, and I was then moved to a room with a double bed and a futon in the room. I came back that night after dinner and the futon was all set up to go to sleep. Great hotel, will definitely be back!

3.4

The most dour, unpleasant staff. From the moment we entered the lobby the bellman and the receptionist looked annoyed that guests had come to stay at the hotel. Subsequent staff had a similar attitude. Our room was clean and the bathroom was quite nice but our bedspreads were very stained with what looked like it could be blood and the overall look of the room was dated and depressing.

9.4

This hotel was in a wonderful location with spacious rooms and attentive staff. Very good for the moderate price

8.0

Nice location. Worked perfect for getting up early and getting in line for the Uffizzi. The bathrooms are a little outdated, but they are undergoing renovations, so that should be fixed soon!

6.9

Good location, breakfeat quite acceptable, service friendly, Room small. travelling with spouse and another couple will recommend for a short stay. we will use again if necessary.

2.6

Selling the room as the upper floor are under construction without notice.

10

Fantastic and would stay there again and again. This location is right on the river and with in all major sights. So romantic too. Our room was the biggest room in our entire stay in Italy. I wish I could have stay longer. Great place. Will come back and stay longer at Balestri.

8.5

Great location! Worth the money for the location, less than 2 mins to Uffizi. There is currently building noise starting at 8 am so beware if longing for a lie-in! Good breakfast.

9.9

The hotel was lovely. We had room 340, facing the Arno, with the Ponte Vechio in sight. I was pleased to find a safe in the room. The bathroom was immaculate. There was some street noise during the day but quiet enough at night. The staff was excellent and very helpful. Breakfast buffet was ample and fresh, even at 9:15 and service was good. I would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Florence and would stay there again myself.

7.5

The room was clean and nice. Bathroom was newly appointed with modern fittings. The breakfast was great. The location is fantastic. Our only criticsm was that the staff were not friendly. We arrived at 11.30am and our room was not ready until 2pm. We were offered use of the luggage room until our room was ready (which was good) but the porter gave us some attitude about this and appeared really put out when we had to access our luggage to get something out. Also the lift was not operational so we had to carry our bags up several flights of stairs. Overall a great place to stay if you can ignore the staff.

7.6

The Balestri is perfctly situated for visiting the Uffizi and centre of Florence - close to the sights but in a quieter setting. The river view was pleasant in February, but the room contained warnings about opening windows during summer months because of insects. The room was small,but adequate, and there was some noise from neighbouring rooms. Breakfast was good. I'd stay here again.

8.1

Very big room, great view of the Arno river. Good breakfast, very friendly and helpful staff. Would definitely stay again.

9.6

Very good localization. room view is amazing. Greta breakfast. I would go back there.

8.2

There was an elevator restoration during our stay (late December) but we were staying on the first floor so it was not inconvenient for us. Our hotel room was very spacious (triple), facing the river. There were two layers of windows so our room was very quiet. The breakfast was served in buffet style and full of choices. (croissant, breads, cheese, ham, cereal, fruits, buscuits.) The lady there can make cappuccino for free upon request! There is also wireless internet in the lobby (which is decorated quite nicely) for the hotel guests. They charge 5 euros for the entire stay so it was quite reasonable. This hotel is about 20 min walk from the train station, and right in the heart of the town!

9.0

The hotel is close to the tourist attractions yet a bit away from the noisy city center. Compared to the last time we stayed at another place close to Duomo, the hotel provided us a better accommocation in quality and location at much quieter surroundings. We could see Arno river and stream of tourists walking along the river by the hotel all day. Ponte Veccio is only a few minutes away and all attractions were within a 10-15 mininutes walking distance.

7.5

very central, good location; however, located on a street which remains quite busy also at night

5.7

Great location. Great view.

7.9

The hotel is in an excellent location to all the main sights in Florence. Hotel is value for money and the room was clean and tidy. We did ask them to fix a very loss toilet seat which they never did. Our initial welcome wasn't very good however the staff were very helpful with regards to providing ticket information.

7.6

It was advertised as having internet.After arrival I was told there was none and I could use an internet cafe.Well for that price and such a prestigious location there should an internet connection offered . I almost lost some bussines transactions due to the lack of available connection. The airconditioning in the room was inadequate. Although it was the end of October,it was unseasonably warm and due to the lack of poper ventilation we had to open the window.Since the hotel is in the vicinity of Arno river..with beautiful views,hundreds of small mosquitoes flew in and caused a real problem esp.at night.All the windows should have screens!!! Besides simple breakfast there was no drink service/bar offered in the afternoon or evening hours. The staff was very courteous and helpful otherwise.Italians are wonderful people. I believe small remedies to address the above problems would make the hotel very desirable.

8.2

Our room was very spacious with a king size bed, which was a real treat in Italy. The bathroom was also very large with a tub and separate open shower area. Both the room and bathroom were very clean, and I would recommend this hotel. Our room overlooked the Arno River, which was another plus. The hotel is located about 2 blocks from the Uffizi and the Ponte Vecchio Bridge - great location!

8.4

clean comfortable room good location would stay again no breakfast though

9.5

greatest location ever!

9.9

La chambre occupée etait très grande et confortable tout comme la salle de bain (WC, bidet, douche, baignoir et grand lavabo). Nous avions une vue sur l'Arno très agréable. Deux grandes fenêtres dans la chambre offraient beaucoup de lumière. De plus elles sont dotées de deux doubles vitrages.

8.8

This hotel is right on the river and 2 mins from the Plaza de la Signora, so it's very lively and a good location for exploring the surrounding area.