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Customer Reviews

Overall:
Spacious, elegant, and full of character, Chiara provided a delightful home with both excellent indoor living spaces and terrace for eating which overlooked numerous gardens. Location was pleasantly off the main tourist route. Close to superb food market, Sant'Ambrogio, the Santa Croce church and museum, and the Arno.
Enjoyed Most:
The grandeur, historical character, decor, art and outdoor space for meals and drinks. Fifteen foot ceilings, frescoes, lovely soaps at every sink. Well equipped kitchen, large refrigerator.
Enjoyed Least:
The coffee mugs and no access to CNN in English on the TV.
Surrounding Area:
Proximity to the Arno, Piazza Santa Croce, flea market and food market at Sant'Ambrogio. Also, it felt like a real neighborhood.
Tips or Restaurants:
Bring a small flashlight. Early during your visit take a cooking class from Marchella at Giglio Cooking School, on Via del Ghirlandaio 6b just a bit east of the apartment. Then shop at Sant'Ambrogio and create delicious treats at the apartment. Ask her to teach you Risotto with Taleggio and Pear! For dinner out, make a reservation at Trattoria Sostanza Il Troia. Via Porcellana, 25r. Honest and delicious. Gelateria della Passera is superb also.
Check In Out:
Although we were late arriving and taxi driver initially took us to the incorrect street, the property manager was waiting patiently.

Maxine, June, 2011

Overall:
Relaxing, lovely.
Enjoyed Most:
The frescoes and creative interior design, the balcony.
Enjoyed Least:
We did a lot of cooking and there were ants in the kitchen that seemed to come from the adjacent plant-filled balcony. Food had to be kept in the fridge.

Cathy, May, 2009

Overall:
I cannot say how much renting the apartment added to my glorious trip to Florence! I loved the property.
Enjoyed Most:
The apartment is decorated beautifully. It is a calm, peaceful environment that really helps transport you to another world. I loved the bedroom set-up, but I spent most of my time out on the terrace reading, drinking a glass of wine and listening to the birds. Just awesome.
Enjoyed Least:
It could be a bit loud to someone not used to living in an apartment building. On Friday and Saturday nights you could hear the goings-on of the neighbors and people in the street. No big deal for me, but I could see how a light sleeper might be disturbed. Editor's Notes: All of the windows face a courtyard.
Surrounding Area:
Loved it!!! Florence is a great walking city and Santa Croce is literally steps from everything! I would walk to the river and watch the incredible sunsets and then back to the apartment each night. Nicely off the tourist path, you felt like a local walking down the small street towards the building!
Nearby Events or Locales:
I stayed exclusively in Florence. A wise decision, I think.
Tips or Restaurants:
Elisabeth provided everything I needed. I wanted for nothing while I was there. I am sure that some will mind having a small, non-satellite TV, but it was fine with me. There are many great restaurants within waking distance- Boccadama and Osteria de Benci were my two favorites near the apartment!
Check In Out:
Elisabeth was pleasure to deal with.

Carolyn, October, 2006

Enjoyed Most:
Location. Beautiful furnishings. And the owner was gracious and lovely.
Enjoyed Least:
The smell of cigarette smoke. As an ex-smoker, I was able to tolerate it, but I know many who wouldn't. Editor's Note: Smoking is only allowed on the balcony.
Surrounding Area:
Lots of good restaurants of the non-touristy sort provided you were willing to hunt them down. Well away from the tourists.

Andrew, July, 2006

Overall:
The owner is a lovely woman, very generous and kind. She leaves the apartment feeling like a home, with her personal photos and art. Very welcoming feeling.
Enjoyed Most:
The terrazza overlooking a garden space was right off the kitchen. I could sit out there and watch the birds in the morning and relax in the evening. The only sounds are those of neighbors preparing meals, laughing and family joy. What a perfect spot.
Enjoyed Least:
For all of my considerations, this apartment is pretty much exactly what I was looking for.
Surrounding Area:
Santa Croce is my favorite area because it is so close to everything, yet a little off the path. Once the tour buses leave in the late afternoon, it is a wonderfully peaceful neighborhood.
Tips or Restaurants:
The apartment is outfitted with everything you could need, including good equipment in the kitchen - including knives - for those who enjoy cooking. Several wonderful restaurants in the immediate area: Boccadama, Aqua al Due, Baldovino - but the truth is, I have never had a bad meal in Firenze.

Toni, May, 2006

Overall:
Very convenient and would recommend to anyone wanting to stay in town.
Enjoyed Most:
Very good location. Can walk to Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio in 10 minutes. The veranda and high ceilings gave this apartment a very roomy feeling.
Enjoyed Least:
The second bedroom was more of an office/TV room with a bed.
Surrounding Area:
Close proximity to places to eat and things to see.
Check In Out:
The owner was very pleasant and helpful

David, March, 2006

Overall:
It was a beautiful place and a special moment in life for me and my wife.
Enjoyed Most:
What I liked most about the property was the property itself!! This was the most convenient location I've experienced, from restaurants to museums - everything was about 5 minutes away from the villa. The owner was delightful, and the people of Florence were so very friendly and kind, we have already talked with the owner about maybe coming back next year in the summer. I know that I am suppose to enjoy myself on my honeymoon, but this trip was more than a romantic getaway, it was a cultural feast for the eyes and the stomach! I recommend Florence to any and everybody, and I would like to recommend this apartment - but I want to keep it as a wonderful secret for myself!!
Enjoyed Least:
It was a bit chilly in the villa. The master bedroom warms up fine when you keep the door closed, but the rest of the property can be a bit cool. Of course, I'm sure this is only in the winter. Editor's Note: The apartment has a new AC-heating system. April 2010.
Surrounding Area:
Everything! As I stated above, everything you need is soooo close. And my wife and I met a designer by the name of Yanni Derma who closed his leather shop and walked us around the streets of Florence for hours with no hidden motive just being kind to newlyweds. By the way I recommend anybody going there to visit his shop. He produces some of the most beautiful, butter-soft leather jackets I've ever seen!
Tips or Restaurants:
If renters are going in the winter bring warm clothes and a extra blanket! One restaurant in particular that I recommend is called "Trattoria Da Benvenuto". This small restaurant serves excellent food and the most delightful tiramisu. We ate there on Valentines Day and it was a wonderful dining experience.
Directions:
Florence airport was closed for repairs while we were there. I do recommend using the driver service that works with the property owner.

Marcus, February, 2006

Overall:
The property was very clean and nicely decorated, and the owner was great.
Enjoyed Most:
We were very close to all the main attractions and could eaisily walk all around Florence from the property.
Enjoyed Least:
We are non-smokers and the property smelled a bit like smoke for the first few days. Also, showers had to be quick as the water heater was very small. Editor's Notes: Smoking is allowed only on the terrace. The apartment has a new, more efficient water heater. April 2010.
Surrounding Area:
Santa Croce church was right around the corner and Ponte Vecchio just down the street.
Tips or Restaurants:
Try everything. All of the places we tried were great.
Directions:
Rentvilla sent us all info ahead of time, so we felt very prepared.
Check In Out:
The owner was very helpful.

Paul, May, 2005