Hotel Degli Orafi - Florence

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Apr 2008

Excellent breakfast, nice staff, nice view from the roof terrace on the Dome, Uffizi and the river Arno. Hopefully wireless internet access will be available in the future.

Guest name: EL, Netherlands

Average rating:  9.9

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Apr 2008

The hotel is well located and very nice. The rooms were spacious and clean and smelled wonderful. I would definitely stay there again and recommend the hotel to others.

Guest name: MS, USA

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Family with older children

stayed in Apr 2008

I booked this hotel 5 days before our arriving and I am glad it was a good choice. the hotel is a member of the 'charming hotels of the world' and it is an answer to all the questions. I travel a lot and now there are 3 points to enjoy the hotel- good breakfast, compitent and attentive staff and sound proof roomes. Thsi hotel has all 3 points on the high level. Very good position- in front of the Ponte veccio and Uffizzi gallery, 2 min to the Piazza della signoria and 5 min to Duomo- by feet. exellent breakfast which includes black caviar :) and absolutely quiet rooms. We were 3 adult people and the room had a good size- the room, the bathroom. Very nice restaurant with view on the roof and prices are on the level of the town's cafes, which is rare in the hotel of this level in Italy. Staff is very friendly and attentive especially the roof restaurant team. I would definitely come back to this hotel.

Guest name: Evdokimova Julia, Russia

Average rating:  6.7

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Mar 2008

Overall a nice hotel and a good 3 night stay. But the view out the window and the noise were not so agreeable. We looked out on a construction site (the Uffizi rebuild) and there was not much soundproofing from the breakfast area and surrounding rooms. For the money I'd probably try somewhere else next time.

Guest name: RW, USA

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Feb 2008

Perfect location. Perfect treatment. Very quiet. Best breakfast in town. In the middle of everything. Just perfect. Even room is a good size, which is unusual for Europe.

Guest name: EO, USA

Average rating:  9.9

Guest type: Group

stayed in May 2007

I simpy cannot fault this hotel. Everything about our stay was perfect. I would most certainly stay there again and recommend it unreservedly.

Guest name: Michael Scott, United Kingdom

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Nov 2007

We stayed at the degli Orafi during our honeymoon in November and had a wonderful stay. The hotel was placed in a great position to see Florence with the Ponte Vecchio less than 100m away and the Uffizi next door. From the hotels roof terrace bar you can see the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio and it’s a really romantic place to have a quiet drink before going out for the evening. Upon arrival we were greeted with congratulations by the concierge and upgraded to a two tier room with sofas, very large bathroom, upstairs bedroom etc and a bottle of champagne. A fantastic welcome! We had travelled from Rome to Florence and the city did not disappoint. The food and wine in Tuscany was so different and seemed to be up a notch. They really do appreciate dining and make a massive effort. The hotel booked us into a restaurant on our first night and the food was amazing even though we were sneered at for ordering white wine. The city is beautiful and you can easily spend the days in and out of the coffee bars sampling the pastries and hot chocolate before popping into one of the sights or doing some shopping. Everything is close and its worth taking a 30 min walk across the river and up the hill to get fantastic views. On our third day we went on a Chianti Classico wine tour that we had booked prior to departing on the net with Tuscan-wine-tours and had an amazing day with Rebecca the guide, We were the only ones on our group tour as we were out of season so had her all to ourselves and after a stop at a village about 50km out of Florence we were taken to a vineyard to sample their produce and learn about wine making and tasting. For lunch we were taken to a small family owned farm and had a fabulous 3 course homecooked meal in the kitchen next to a fire with 2 bottles of wine. It was one of the best days we have spent together and Rebecca was an amazing guide. We would recommend it to anyone.

Guest name: RS, United Kingdom

Average rating:  8.7

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Oct 2007

Superb location - very close to the Ponte de Vicchio and the River Arnn. Very welcoming staff and excellent facilities.

Guest name: Barrie Woodward, Australia

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Nov 2007

We can't say enough good things about this hotel. Our room (304) was large and gorgeous!. It was very quiet (not facing the river) and had a tiny balcony that we could look out on and get a feel for the weather. Micheala, the concierge, was fabulous. We asked the impossible (passes to the Accademia and the Uffizi with one days notice on a Friday night and we were leaving on Tuesday) and she came through with bells on. The breakfast is sumptuously decadent and overlooks the Arno. The hotel is right next to the Ponte Vechio and the Uffizi. Great restaurant recommendations. The bed was a bit hard for us, but the linens made up for it. And the bathroom was huge and beautiful. And the two T shirts that were waiting on the bed when we checked in were great! An absolutely wonderful hotel.

Guest name: Michael & Linda Chiconsky, USA

Average rating:  9.9

Guest type: Family with older children

stayed in Oct 2007

This is pretty close to being my ideal hotel. The location is fantastic, the hotel is full of personality and character whilst also being smart and clean. It is my favourite size for a hotel, allowing the level of service to be careful and personal but still efficient and professional. We had two double executive rooms and a single, which were elegantly decorated and had superb bathrooms. We didn't use the rooftop bar as unfortunately it rained both evenings but it is a lovely feature. The breakfast was really first class with an exceptional choice. This is not the cheapest hotel in Florence but it is very good value for money in my view and I will definitely be staying here again.

Guest name: Karen Birt, United Kingdom

Average rating:  9.9

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Apr 2007

Fabulous hotel in a remarkable location! We go to Florence every year and this is by fat our favorite hotel so far. We will return again and again! The views from the upstairs patio are unbelieveable. We sat there one afternoon, basking in the Tuscan sun, admiring the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio while sipping a reserva Chianti and snacking on a pizza margherita - what more could you want?

Guest name: Marilyn StGeorge, USA

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Oct 2007

Our deluxe double was literally a small apartment which was wonderful for us and the best value we encountered. The standard rooms, we saw walking down the hall, looked like a typical european room, small with no style, definitely upgrade. The breakfast was the best by far of the 6 hotels we stayed in on our Italy vacation. Location could not have been better just steps from everything. I would definitely return here and recommend it to anyone. We had NO negatives to even write about.

Guest name: WD, USA

Average rating:  7.2

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Oct 2007

room 33 the bathroom was very small no place to set down your toiletsack only one little lavobo pressed between the showerbath and the wall . in showerbath was no soapdish to put down your soap and shampoo. the kitchen was very large, but we have 'n need it. the price of the room of our friends (102) was not so high but the room was more luxurious

Guest name: EV, Belgium

Average rating:  9.9

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Oct 2007

Cleanest rooms of any hotel I have ever stayed at, and I have traveled to over 100 countries. The location was perfect, 15 minute walking distance to everything anyone would want to see with only 2 days in Florence. We had apartment 51, and it was a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom suite with kitchen, and living room for the booked rate of a standard room 299 euros. Breakfast was great, everthing available, bacon & eggs, furit, meats & cheese, everything!!! This is the place to stay in this city.

Guest name: Terry Wall, USA

Average rating:  8.1

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Oct 2007

This is a very nice hotel. The website driving directions were a bit vague and if we'd used them we would have had difficulty getting there as we drove up from Umbria. Front desk staff was at times a bit indifferent, but the overall staff was very friendly and helpful. We requested a room facing the river, it was a great room, but it was on the first floor so there was a lot of street noise. The rooftop bar and terrace is very nice and very reasonably priced. Overall, an excellent stay.

Guest name: SJ, USA

Average rating:  9.4

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Sep 2007

This was the best hotel during our 3 week trip to Italy and Greece. It definitely beat out the 5 star Bernini-Bristol in Rome. The location is close to everything worth seeing in Florence. The only caution is if you're driving and need to leave your car at the hotel. The directions provided on the hotel site are not good enough, in fact may be misleading. The issue has to do with the one-way streets and pedestrian only streets. If you Googlemap or Mapquest their written directions are inaccurate. Looking at the Google map, cross the Arno, south to north, on the first bridge west of the Ponte Vecchio. Immediately at the end of the bridge turn right, east, it's one-way only, and go about 75 - 100 meters to a left turn into a "pedestrian only" alley way and the hotel entrance is immediately on your left. They will arrange for parking.

Guest name: RB, USA

Average rating:  9.1

Guest type: 

stayed in Sep 2007

Hotel was well located. Room was clean, spacious and modern. We had a suite. Front desk staff was rude. They were curt with us the entire stay. Refused to call call us back to confirm that dinner reservations were made for example. Bell staff was pleasant.

Guest name: SK, USA

Average rating:  9.7

Guest type: Family with older children

stayed in Sep 2007

We thought the Hotel was fabulous. We had a small apartment and it was wonderful. The breakfast room and buffet was excellent and the staff very attentive and helpful. The front desk was quite busy but efficient. They recommended excellent restaurants and it was a highlight. Being so close to the Uffizi we thought the location was excellent. This was the first time we had stayed here and I would definitely recommend this hotel and if I came back I would most definitely stay here again.

Guest name: DN, USA

Average rating:  9.6

Guest type: Gay Couple

stayed in Sep 2007

Will stay here again. Staff was friendly, rooms were beautiful and location was excellent!

Guest name: Bryan Hawk, USA

Average rating:  9.7

Guest type: three ladies

stayed in Aug 2007

We booked a room for three ladies, we were upgraided to an apartment on our arrival. Fantastic, light, clean, and very spacious,The Hotel rooms are very quiet, and a pleasure to spend time in. The staff are friendly, and I would recommend this hotel to anyone going to Florence.

Guest name: SB, United Kingdom

Average rating:  9.7

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Jul 2007

I stayed at the Degli Orafi in July when the crowds were at their peak and found the hotel to be an oasis of peace. Both the dining room for breakfast and the room at the top with views of the Duomo and the river were spectacular. Service was top notch. It isn't easy to please 3 professional women and the Orafi did.

Guest name: Marta Barber, USA

Average rating:  8.3

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jul 2007

We had a great stay at this hotel. We had a double superior room which was lovely. Although, we could not see the river as the Vassari corridor blocked our view. If you want a river view, go higher than the 3rd floor. We went on the reviews written by others and it was everything they said, except for the hotel staff. While the hotel staff was definitely competent, and even helpful, I didn't see the 'warmth' and 'going out of their way' that some other guests mentioned, except for Giulio at the reception, who was great. And it was my 40th birthday, so there was opportunity for them to please us. Having said that, they were great on email, answering all my questions and even booking my Ufizzi tickets before I got there. They also had good restaurant recommendations.

Guest name: Nandita Mehrotra, India

Average rating:  9.9

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in May 2007

Lovely central hotel next to Ufizzi, overlooking the Ponte Vecchio and close to all the sites. The staff were very helpful,the room large, attractive, and comfortable, and the breakfast splendid. We would recommend this hotel unreservedly.

Guest name: Elizabeth Denbigh, United Kingdom

Average rating:  9.4

Guest type: Family with older children

stayed in May 2007

This was the best hotel of our 20 days trip through Italy. The location is excellent, with the Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizzi and all the restaurants and shops right around the corner. Everything is in walking distance. The room was of good size, comfortable, nicely furnished and very clean, and the air conditioning also worked well. The breakfast room is gorgeous and the food is outstanding, with great variety and excellent quality. The roof top bar has a great view, and all the public areas are very nice and well kept. The staff was very friendly and helpful - every single person! We enjoyed our stay very much and will definitely go back to this hotel, which easily became our favorite, in one of our favorite cities. The T-shirts added a nice touch. Thank you!

Guest name: NORMA VON AMMON, USA

Average rating:  9.2

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jun 2007

The hotel was perfectly located. The breakfast, included in the room rate, has a large selection with hot and cold items. We were there for 5 nights and they upgraded us to a great suite. The staff did a great job of recommending restaurants AND day trips.

Guest name: Michael Watson, USA

Average rating:  8.9

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jun 2007

For our 72 hour stay in Florence this hotel came quite close to be the perfect place. With so much to see in this wonderful Tuscan city we needed what Degli Orafi had to offer: Excelent breakfast to start the day with plenty of energy; a clean room to come back briefly during the day to freshen up and the tidiness of the bed chamber to rest well at night. The personel were always attentive and the price we paid for the executive double room was reasonable. In all, a place we would reccomend.

Guest name: Juan Carlos Barrionuevo, USA

Average rating:  9.3

Guest type: Family with older children

stayed in Nov 2006

An weekend with my daughter to see Florence.

Guest name: Carla Armanino, Italy

Average rating:  7.8

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in May 2007

This was a great hotel with a wonderful location. We could virtually walk to any place of interest in Florence. We loved the rooftop bar, and the front desk service was extremely helpful.

Guest name: Leslie Holloran, USA

Average rating:  9.7

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in May 2007

This is an excellent Hotel.Great; location, service, nice people and excellent breakfast.We were very happy with this Hotel.We would stay there again without hesitation.

Guest name: Alexander Mateo, USA

Average rating:  5.6

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in May 2007

At all costs avoid being put in one of the apartments at the rear of the hotel-bleak,cold and very un-Florentine. The staff seemed unsurprised when I demanded to be moved to what I had booked, a double room for single use. This proved to be comfortable, if not particularly spacious. The location is excellent, the public areas attractive, the breakfast good, the terrace bar charming and the staff friendly, though the check-out staff seemed unable to deal with a chip and PIN card (surely no rarity now in Italy) in under half an hour, thus causing me almost to miss my train. I shall be looking elsewhere for accomodation on my next visit to Florence.

Guest name: Martin Gordon-russell, United Kingdom

Average rating:  8.2

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in May 2007

Very quiet, despite being located in the center.Surely the best location to visit the town...

Guest name: Pierre De Fontenay, Norway

Average rating:  7.9

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in May 2007

An excellent and well located hotel. BUT, the hotel was selected as the facilities shown include a hotel garage, and a garage space was requested at time of booking. There is no garage and my car was parked by a valet service at a public car park at great expense, something I only became aware of at the end of my stay. I have separately emailed Venere and Degli Ofari for the entry to be corrected.

Guest name: John Carpenter, United Kingdom

Average rating:  7.8

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Apr 2007

It is a very pleasant hotel in a nice location. The rooms are somewhat small in comparision to U.S. standards. The breakfast is outstanding. There was an unpleasant odor for a few days in the rooms which was probably caused by the air condition. The staff did their their best to neutralize it, but it still created problems. However, this was the only problem.

Guest name: DP, USA

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Apr 2007

the hotel was very good,excellent position. we had an apartment in the tower which was very good.apart from the soundproofing in the bedrooms. we were trying to spot our neighbour with the cough!!!!!etc. found it rather difficult to locate the hotel if driving into Florence but hotel staff very helpful.

Guest name: Vanessa Skelton, France

Average rating:  9.9

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Apr 2007

I can't imagine a better place in a better location ! The staff were excellent; the best breakfast buffet I've ever seen in Europe. The cafe/bar on the 5th floor is excellent... fine food, fine wine and excellent views of the Arno and the Duomo/city.

Guest name: Everett Singer, USA

Average rating:  9.6

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Mar 2007

One of the best hotels with respect to location, cleanliness, appeal, etc we have ever stayed in during our 20 years of travel to Europe. Great value in the off season. Highly recommeded.

Guest name: John Marozsan, USA

Average rating:  9.5

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Jan 2007

Hotel is fantastic, especially in the time out of tourist seasons.

Guest name: Mladen Drpic, Croatia

Average rating:  7.4

Guest type: Family with older children

stayed in Jan 2007

Arriving by car takes some walking to investigate proper street to take. Valet car parking outstanding, at a price.

Guest name: Paul Van Hoogstraten, Netherlands

Average rating:  7.4

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Nov 2006

The hotel and its location were quite nice, but room (209) was to noisy. Some sort of serious soundproofing needs to be put in place. There's a lot of traffic on the road below (lungarno) at evrey our of the night.

Guest name: LS, Italy

Average rating:  9.3

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Sep 2006

We were 'upgraded' to a tower apartment, which was spacious with a lovely rooftop outlook, but lacked the elegance of the rest of the hotel, and had a small bathroom. As we did not see the 'double de luxe' room we had booked, we don't know if we scored or not! But we felt it was value in relation to the facilities and excellent central location. Lovely public areas esp the rooftop bar and the elegant breakfast room with excellent breakfast buffet. Reception staff very friendly and helpful. And we liked the t-shirts!

Guest name: Jean Allen, South Africa

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Sep 2006

We spent 3 fabulous days in Florence on our 13-day trip through Italy. The Degli Orafi was the best hotel of the entire trip. The room was great (it had a view of the Duomo). They served a wonderful breakfast. Their common rooms were beautiful (the breakfast room has frescos on the ceiling, the terrace bar has views of the Duomo). Barbara, at the front desk, was very helpful with reservations, recommendations, etc. I would go back in a heartbeat.

Guest name: Maribel Gerstner, USA

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Sep 2006

The Degli Orafi is an excellent Hotel. I highly recommend it. They have EVERYTHING you need. Rooms are great, spacious, beautiful..ours and our friends's had a complete kitchen and a living room area!. The location is the best in Florence. The Hotel is in the HEART of the town, right in between Ponteveccio and the Ufizzi Galery. You cannot get better than that!

Guest name: MB, Venezuela

Average rating:  8.8

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Sep 2006

Great location. Very comfortable, clean, quiet, and cool (AC important in Florence in the summer!). Very helpful staff. Only minor complaint was no internet access from room -- however, could use my wireless laptop in the Library, which was usually empty and quiet. Excellent value.

Guest name: David White, USA

Average rating:  9.1

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Apr 2006

Wonderful place in a great, central location. This was an extension of a previous booking. We liked the hotel so much we stayed on and would certainly return again.

Guest name: Carol Mesheske, USA

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Jun 2006

This is the only hotel that I would give a 10 rating in every category. Our stay was outstanding in every way. The setting on the Arno on one side and the historic center of Florence on the other is beautiful. The facilities and amenities are exquisite. Best of all, I have never before experienced such an attentive and accomodating staff. They even went way beyond the norm of outstanbing service.

Guest name: Michael Mansfield, USA

Average rating:  7.5

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jun 2006

The site did not mention anythign about the additonal 30 euros night for parking. No othe roption were available because we woudl have had to registered our car with the city. We go to Florence at 10:00 PM so would hav emade it very difficlut to do so. Also, for the type of room I reserved, I thought it would be a little bigger.

Guest name: JG, USA

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in Jun 2006

This hotel was fantastic; the location, the staff, the room, the sweets on the pillow and the T-shirt, the breakfast and not to forget the terrace bar with a view to the river and the wellknown bridge ,Ponte Vecchio. We have travelled a lot, but this hotel is the best; a quiet little pearl with lots of history on the doorstep. We will definately be back, soon I hope.

Guest name: Gunn Borgen, Norway

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in Apr 2006

Best Location, Best view, Best access, porfessional staff! I will return.

Guest name: Suzanne Dolphin, USA

Average rating:  9.5

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Apr 2006

Beautiful hotel right in the heart of Florence. The rooms and public areas are beautiful and nicely fitted out. We will definitely stay there again.

Guest name: Carol Mesheske, Serbia and Montenegro

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in May 2006

We haven't a room with views but they compensate us with a very comfortable quiet apartment. And we must say: the breakfast is excelent.

Guest name: FG, Spain