Reviews of Apartment Rental in Florence
Palazzo Santa Croce - Botticelli
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Customer Reviews
Overall:
This is a great apartment and would highly recommend it.
Enjoyed Most:
The building was beautiful and the apartment was too. The location could not have been better. You are right in the middle of everything. Having DSL connection was great and all the amenities.
Unpleasant Surprises:
The bed was pretty uncomfortable in the master bedroom. The place is so beautiful and I would have expected to have a comfortable bed to sleep on. Also, the trash is conveniently located outside, but that means that every morning between 6:30 and 7:00 the garbage trucks are coming and they are pretty noisy.
Surrounding Area:
Vivoli has great gelato and great cappuccinos to go. The restaurant in the building was very good. We were walking distance to every main attraction in the city. I would highly recommend staying here.
Tips or Restaurants:
Highly recommend ear plugs. The building was quiet for Florence standards. Bringing a bike lock was key for us since we had a toddler and we were able to lock the stroller up in the entry way of the building vs. needing to take it up to our apartment every day.
Directions:
Taxi drivers know exactly where the building is.
Heather, October, 2007
Overall:
We had a wonderful time and would certainly recommend this property. It had everything that one would need to be comfortable.
Enjoyed Most:
The structure itself and interior were wonderful! To think that this building was built in the 1400's - and is still standing - is quite a tribute to the Italian artistry of building. In addition, the individuals who restored the building did so with an eye toward quality and respect for the period.
Unpleasant Surprises:
Since our party consisted of five, and we did require a bit of privacy in the loft area, I would recommend that the owners place a folding screen or two upstairs so that when privacy is needed they may be opened. This would not impact the historical structure, if adding drapes could not be done due to regulations on attaching items to the walls.
Surrounding Area:
The location and neighborhood are terrific, and are in a prime location for getting around the sights of Florence.
Tips or Restaurants:
For those who are light sleepers, I would recommend ear plugs. Our friends who slept in the bedroom and sofa bed found that the night noise revelers, etc. was a bit disruptive.
Directions:
The taxi driver found it with no problem.
Check In Out:
We had a travel problem that delayed our arrival until quite a bit later in the day than anticipated. It was easy to contact the agency and they made arrangements for us to pick-up the keys at an alternate location. Everything went very smoothly. Check out was at 930 a.m., and the cleaning people were ready to get into the apartment prior to this time. Since we were ready to go it was not an issue, however, the agency needs to keep the cleaners at bay until 930 a.m. Check out, too, was fine.
Rita, September, 2007
Enjoyed Most:
Fabulous location and a wonderful building and apartment that met or exceeded all expectations.
Surrounding Area:
Apartment was in close proximity to everything we wanted to do in Florence. We rented a car and used a garage suggested by the rental company and that worked out very well.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Most everything in Florence was in walking distance!
Tips or Restaurants:
Bring or purchase paper towels and cocktail napkins! Vivoli was great for gelato but also for morning coffee. There was a wonderful cheese shop and grocery right across the street. You MUST go to Aqua Al 2, a fabulous restaurant, just one block down. You will need reservations! Be sure to visit the town of San Gimignano if you can. It is about a 30 - 45 minute drive south, towards Siena. It was beautiful!
Laura, November, 2006
Overall:
The property was excellent. The building was an old palazzo with a huge stone stairway and made you fell as if you were staying in a castle.
Enjoyed Most:
Our flat was great. It was very spacious with all the conveniences you could want. The location was perfect as it was not in the busy traffic part of town near the station, and yet it was close to everything you could need and want. The service provide by the local agents was low key and perfectly adequate.
Unpleasant Surprises:
Leaving! The weather was warmer than we expected so wandering the streets in the afternoons was not the best option. But staying home and resting in our air-conditioned apartment was an excellent second best.
Surrounding Area:
Everything ... the food shops ... the historic sites ... closeness to the fashion centre ... and especially the lack of cars.
Tips or Restaurants:
The car rental places are quite a way away and on weekends the cars are often booked out ... so book early.
The chocolate croissants from the café opposite Santa Croce is the best and of course gelato from Vivoli is great ... but don't expect them to smile ... it seems impossible!
And ... scooters are very expensive to rent whereas small cars from the less well know agents are quite reasonable.
Tina, July, 2006
Overall:
We enjoyed it thoroughly!
Enjoyed Most:
Location, air conditioning, and elevator.
Unpleasant Surprises:
Not properly cleaned on arrival, loud neighbors above.
Surrounding Area:
Proximity to all of Florence. Hustle and bustle of area and close to grocery store.
Tips or Restaurants:
Bring garbage bags and good walking shoes.
Check In Out:
Check out was expedient and on time.
Daniel, June, 2006
Overall:
We had a wonderful time! The property was very clean and comfortable.
Enjoyed Most:
The space was ample and the high ceilings made it feel even more roomy.
Unpleasant Surprises:
It was a little noisy at night.
Surrounding Area:
Excellent location. Close to everything.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Fiesole was a short bus ride away 25 minutes.
Tips or Restaurants:
Everything we ate was excellent. However, be prepared to be eating only Italian food. We didn't find many restaurants that offered other cuisines like Chinese or Indian, etc.
Jimmy, May, 2006
Overall:
Just that I want to go back someday.
Enjoyed Most:
It was in the center of everything. Very beautiful palazzo. Never heard the neighbors - the building was great.
Unpleasant Surprises:
The noise at night. but what can you expect in a city. It wasn't that bad.
Surrounding Area:
Wonderful. Great restaurants everywhere. The church was so close. All the action was in the area.
Directions:
No we were able to find it with a taxi driver.
Dolores, April, 2006
Overall:
Palatial!
Enjoyed Most:
The location was great, very convenient walking to many central destinations, but enough off the beaten path so that it got quiet at times.
Unpleasant Surprises:
Renovations on the floor above us during our stay were very loud and awoke us earlier than we would have liked.
Surrounding Area:
Close by many restaurants and cafes, easy walking to Piazza della Republica and the Oltrarno.
Tips or Restaurants:
Bring good walking shoes! Explore the Santa Croce area east of apartment for many less touristed restaurants and cafes.
Andrew, January, 2006
Enjoyed Most:
The location - in the heart of the historic area
Unpleasant Surprises:
The noise - even with the double-paned windows closed - the theatre across the street was very noisy for hours after it closed in the evening. The living room sofa bed needs to be replaced.
Surrounding Area:
Everything! We were in the center of restaurants, museums, and churches - all great!
Nearby Events or Locales:
We took the bus to Fiesole. It is not in walking distance
Tips or Restaurants:
Enjoy the location, but definitely bring ear plugs. We loved the Acqua Al 2 which is just down Via Vigna Vecchia.
Directions:
No problem - the taxi driver went right to it.
Check In Out:
The weekend check-in person was terrific. She gave us lots of tips and good info for our stay. The check-out person never showed up. She called and asked us to leave the keys on the table.
Frances, December, 2005
Overall:
Overall we really liked the place and are thinking of visiting Venice and doing the same thing as far as renting an apartment. Would rent this one again.
Enjoyed Most:
Location, easy access to all in Florence. All taxi cabs knew where it was.
Unpleasant Surprises:
The washer leaves a great deal to be desired. Don't plan on using. Instructions need to written better. Also, when we went to leave, there was a marathon going on that we did not know about and were unable to get a cab to pick us up. Had to carry bags a great distance and then we flagged a cab, because ours never showed up.
Surrounding Area:
Many restaurants nearby. Easy access to shopping, sites, small cafes. Gelato nearby but people in there were not real friendly. Everywhere else, people were very friendly.
Tips or Restaurants:
Bring zip lock bags to store leftovers in.
Directions:
All cab drivers seemed to know where it was.
Check In Out:
Check-in went very quickly and a lot to absorb after having travelled.
Debra, November, 2005
Overall:
We would stay there again, at least in the same building. Beautiful and central!
Enjoyed Most:
The apartment is in downtown Florence, walking distance to EVERYTHING. Of course, this is a huge advantage when staying in Florence. Also, the building and apartment itself were very well maintained, clean, up-to-date, very comfortable, secure, etc. We really liked the apartment!
Unpleasant Surprises:
There was noise in the middle of the night, 4:00-5:00am, etc. The apartment is located in an area with restaurants and a club down the street, so in the middle of the night it was noisy. Also, the garbage and recycling trucks would come by at 6:00am. If you're a light sleeper, it will be difficult to get a full night's sleep without earplugs.
Surrounding Area:
Everything!
Tips or Restaurants:
Don't miss the gelato across the street, right next to the cheese shop!
Directions:
The taxi driver took us right there and he knew where it was.
Check In Out:
The staff was very professional and prompt.
Lynn, November, 2005
Overall:
I have recommended Rentvillas.com to everyone I know -- the website and previous write-ups set the expectations perfectly. Great job!!
Enjoyed Most:
The location was perfect. In a neighborhood with stores, restaurants available and close to all of the sites.
Unpleasant Surprises:
The noise at night.
Surrounding Area:
That it was not a tourist area rather a neighborhood.
Directions:
Our host was easy to reach and arrived shortly after us.
Check In Out:
Very easy.
Marie, October, 2005
Overall:
I absolutely loved the villa, loved the location and loved the personalized service from the local management company. The girl that helped us was always available to answer my questions and accommodate me.
Enjoyed Most:
I loved the quaintness of the villa and also the location.
Unpleasant Surprises:
If I had to find something to complain about it would be the stairs leading up to the villa and the elevator. But honestly, it was no big deal..
Surrounding Area:
I loved the Santa Croce area. It didn't lack for a thing. I loved the charm of it.
Tips or Restaurants:
I loved the open bar on the Ponte Vecchio and there was a great restaurant right around the corner from the house next to the gelato store. I think the villa had everything that we needed.
Dawn, July, 2005
Overall:
I have already recommended it to a friend.
Enjoyed Most:
Excellent location close to the sights, yet off the beaten tourist path.
Unpleasant Surprises:
Some problems with the electricity going off.
Surrounding Area:
Close to the major sights - all within easy walking distance.
Tips or Restaurants:
The restaurant-osteria on the ground floor of the building is very good.
Directions:
It was a very easy taxi ride from the airport.
Ron, February, 2005
Overall:
The property was so amazing that the Internet pictures hardly do it justice. I would highly reccommend it to anyone.
Enjoyed Most:
The apartment was clean and very tastefully decorated. It felt like our home when we would come in from a day out. It was also located in a GREAT spot, a stone's throw from everything you'd want to see in Florence but also close to restaurants and entertainment that wasn't touristy.
Unpleasant Surprises:
Nothing comes to mind, we really loved it.
Surrounding Area:
The neighborhood is very cute and quiet by Italian standards. We where so close to things like the Palazzo Vecchio and the Bargello, but if we went a block in the other direction, we had a little local area with authentic cafe's and a great grocery store.
Tips or Restaurants:
If you get there and are looking for a good first meal that isn't listed in your Frommers or your Lonely Planet Guide, try the Barrocio on Via Vigna Vechia, across the street from the Bargello. The price is reasonable, the food is AMAZING and it's cozy and surprisingly not filled with tourists. Also, bring a cutting board if you are planning on cooking in.
Directions:
The directions where clear and easily understood. The Italian phone system caused us more grief than anything. You must tear the corner off the cards and then use it.
Check In Out:
Very easy and prompt.
Amy, October, 2004
Enjoyed Most:
Great location and wonderful high ceilings. Very comfortably furnished.
Unpleasant Surprises:
Great to have a washer-dryer, but took some learning before we could use it properly.
Surrounding Area:
Easy walking distance to everything. Great spot for breakfast was 3 minutes down the street.
Tips or Restaurants:
Aqua al Due restaurant, just down the street ,is good and a great value for the money. For that reason, it is packed all evening long with people, many young and local. Make sure everyone knows about the supermarket, Standa, and how to get there. Even if you do no cooking it is a great place to buy fruit, snacks, wine etc.
Check In Out:
Unlike some other properties, there are tables and chairs for a restaurant right by the front door, so if you have to wait a few minutes for the staff person to arrive, it is easy to sit down comfortably.
Kent, October, 2004
Overall:
Only that it was a magical trip, made even more wonderful by the enchanting accomodations.
Enjoyed Most:
The best part of the Botticelli villa was the fantastic furnishings and superb location. Each time we returned to the property we felt as though we were coming home to our own authentic Italian hide-away. Not only was it comfortable, stylish and welcoming, but the prime location allowed us to pop in and out during the day to fix meals or take a quick nap after trekking around Florence.
Unpleasant Surprises:
There isn't anything bad I could think of, except we never did figure how to operate the CD player.
Surrounding Area:
It was perfect! The location was secluded enough to avoid street traffic at night, but still right in the heart of Florence.
Nearby Events or Locales:
I'm not sure, it was right in Florence.
Tips or Restaurants:
Take advantage of the kitchen! Because the apartment is so close to everything, you can save money by eating breakfast and dinner at home, and splurging on a fantastic luncheon out.
Delia, January, 2003
Overall:
We would go back in a flash as we truly enjoyed our stay.
Unpleasant Surprises:
There could have been more pillows and blankets. I wish there had been an instruction manual to help explain how the appliances worked.
Margaret, April, 2002
Overall:
We found that the apartment was comfotable, spacious, beautiful and in a great location. The interiors of the apartment with Venetian plaster and the furniture were extravagant.
Enjoyed Most:
What I liked most about the property was the location, the view and the interiors.
Unpleasant Surprises:
We didn't find anything that we disliked about the property.
Surrounding Area:
We were very pleased to be so close to so many tourist attractions.
Nearby Events or Locales:
We found the Duomo, Santa Croce, Piazza Signoria and Uffizi.
Tips or Restaurants:
We would recommend this property to anybody who would like to rent an apartment in Florence.
Irina, April, 2002
Overall:
Botticelli has a wonderful location, close to everything. The kitchen was very good as well as the furnishings. We were very comfortable there for the week we were in Florence.
Unpleasant Surprises:
We were disappointed that the master bedroom was in the loft, no privacy. The second bedroom was small, but it had a door.
Tips or Restaurants:
Vivoli gelato is right outside the door.
Michael, March, 2002