HOTEL ALESSANDRA, Florence

Hotel Alessandra sits on Borgo Sant' Apostoli, a peaceful pedestrian street that feels removed from Florence's crowds. The Ponte Vecchio is 200 metres away, and the Uffizi Gallery is 250 metres away, with the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and Boboli Gardens all reachable on foot in under ten minutes. Santa Maria Novella station is 1 km away - about a 12- to 15-minute walk, though taking a taxi (approx. €15) is advisable with luggage due to cobblestone streets. The hotel is within easy walking distance of dozens of restaurants, including Trattoria Nella and Ristorante Oliviero 1962, all about 0.5 km from the entrance. The quiet side street ensures a peaceful night's rest despite the central location.

All rooms come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, minibar, safety deposit box, and free toiletries. Most have wood floors and parquet. The private bathrooms are well equipped with a bath or shower, bidet, and hairdryer. Several rooms offer views of the Arno or the historic Borgo Sant' Apostoli, and some include a balcony or terrace. The building has soundproofed rooms, so courtyard-facing and high-floor rooms are particularly quiet. Room sizes vary from compact single rooms (one with an external private bathroom) to a spacious suite with three beds and a terrace. Extra beds are available for shared family stays. The lift is small and starts 30 steps after the street entrance; stairs are required for a few rooms and for the lift access itself. A request for two single beds can be arranged at confirmation.

Breakfast is served from 07:30 to 09:30 (with early options sometimes available from 07:10). The buffet includes fresh pastries, cereals, scrambled eggs, bacon, cold cuts, cheeses, yoghurts, and excellent coffee - with a variety that easily fuels a day of sightseeing. Vegan dietary needs can be managed with a few days' notice. Guests can also request breakfast in their room. There is no restaurant or bar on site for other meals, but the front desk is happy to recommend and book local restaurants, many of which are within a two-minute walk. A small roof terrace, open until 22:00, is available for enjoying a drink with views of the city.

Wellness and leisure facilities are limited to a small rooftop terrace open until 22:00 - a popular spot for relaxing with a drink and taking in the city atmosphere. For those seeking more active pursuits, the hotel can arrange walking tours, bike tours, and cooking classes at additional charge and off-site. The front desk staff can also recommend nearby attractions and help plan sightseeing itineraries. The quiet street and central location make it easy to return to the hotel for a rest between visits to the Uffizi, Duomo, and other landmarks.

The 24-hour front desk offers express check-in/check-out, private check-in/check-out, and a concierge service that can arrange museum tickets, restaurant reservations, and taxi bookings for early departures. Free luggage storage is available during the day on check-out; overnight storage is only possible if returning for another night's stay. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Daily housekeeping is complimentary, and laundry/dry cleaning can be arranged for an additional fee. The hotel provides a shared lounge/TV area and a small business corner with fax/photocopying services. Safety features include CCTV in common areas, a security alarm, and a safety deposit box in each room. Accepted payment methods: Visa, Maestro, CartaSi, MasterCard.