Reviews of Florence Italy Accommodation
Palazzo Santa Croce - Alighieri
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Customer Reviews
Enjoyed Most:
The central location.
Unpleasant Surprises:
The hot water heater malfunctioned on the morning we were to leave!
Surrounding Area:
Everything was walking distance. We never even had to take a taxi.
Tips or Restaurants:
Yellow Bar was great for pizza and Cafe Baldovino had fantastic salads!
Theresa, January, 2005
Overall:
The location is so wonderful, that one could put up with an inconvenience or two in the apartment itself. Yet, the aparatment offers very comfortable living for two, so we really felt we had the best of both worlds.
Enjoyed Most:
Location is excellent. We were within walking distance of all points of interest in Florence. We were delighted with this aspect of the rental.
Unpleasant Surprises:
The air conditioning was anemic, so that the machine had to be on continuously during our stay. In the summer this is an important consideration.
Surrounding Area:
Florence speaks for itself!
Tips or Restaurants:
There is so much the city offers that everyone will find their own way in Florence quite easily -- that was our impression.
Kurt, July, 2004
Overall:
Stairs, loft concept proved to be a bit burdensome for me.
Enjoyed Most:
Location was great. Clean!
Unpleasant Surprises:
No real outside view. Lighting was too dim.
Surrounding Area:
You can find things to tour every minute of the week in Florence. We could walk everywhere!
Tip:
Make sure to go up to Fiesole - take bus # 7. Also, reserve a tour across the top of the Ponte Vecchio called the Prince's Walk (Corridoio Vasariano) arranged at the Uffizi ticket window.
Tips or Restaurants:
Restaurants: Cibreo (Via del Verrocchio, 5 & 8; 055-2345853)
David, September, 2001
Overall:
The apartment is located just off the Piazza Santa Croce, one of our favorite neighborhoods, steps away from Vivoli's gelati and a marvelous neighborhood grocery. The apartment was immaculate, with a huge walk-in closet and great master bathroom. We were surprised and pleased to find that it was air-conditioned, but realized that it's necessary to keep the windows closed to shut out the noise from the restaurant kitchen on the ground floor. The windows do the job perfectly, but they do make air conditioning essential, since the apartment is toward the rear of the building and has no front-facing windows. A perfectly wonderful unit for a couple with one child.
Enjoyed Most:
The location, the quiet, the absolute efficiency (you need more towels? you got more towels).
Unpleasant Surprises:
The sleeper couch is comfortable, but be forewarned! It's a small single sofa, great for kids but could be problematic for a tall adult. Also, with the loft arrangement, it has to be a couple and one other person, and they better not be privacy freaks.
Surrounding Area:
The Piazza Santa Croce, and the ease with which we could get to almost any neighborhood in Florence. We were just far away enough from most of the hotels not to feel overwhelmed by tourists. There's a science museum ten minutes away, tucked behind the Uffizi, that's a great, small, fascinating place; good for kids ten and up. Also, it's fun to strolle Via Neri, off the far side of the Piazza, full of restaurants and local shops. The church at Santa Croce is bizarre and wonderful, full of intricately sculpted crypts holding the likes of Leonardo Da Vinci and Machievelli. Michaelangelo's house is a few blocks away on Via Ghibellina.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Does anyone not yet know Vivoli's ice cream? There's a science museum ten minutes away, tucked behind the Uffizi, that's a great, small, fascinating place; good for kids ten and up. Also, it's fun to strolle Via Neri, off the far side of the Piazza, full of restaurants and local shops. The church at Santa Croce is bizarre and wonderful, full of intricately sculpted crypts holding the likes of Leonardo Da Vinci and Machievelli. Michaelangelo's house is a few blocks away on Via Ghibellina.
Tips or Restaurants:
Go to Cibreo for a fabulous dining experience (fairly high end, reservations a must). Or eat at Cibreo's less formal sibling, at the back of the same building. SEarch out La Ghiotta for the best cheap food around. If you must, Enoteca Pinchiorri is right off the piazza, 15th century villa, amazing wine cellar, but it's a bit French for my tastes.
Karen, July, 2001
Overall:
We liked the overall atmosphere of the building and the furnishings of the apartment.
Enjoyed Most:
The A/C!! Without a doubt! Also the location and the quiet street.
Unpleasant Surprises:
Could have used more towels.
Surrounding Area:
Good area and good locations to see other parts of Florence.
Gary, June, 2001
Overall:
Overall, a good experience, and relatively quiet.
Enjoyed Most:
The frescos were nice. The kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms are of high rating.
Unpleasant Surprises:
The price.
Surrounding Area:
Everything is Florence is within walking distance.
Mike, June, 2001