HOTEL LORENA, Florence

Hotel Lorena sits in the centre of Florence, just 50 metres from the Medici Chapels in the Basilica of San Lorenzo. The Duomo is a 5-minute walk away, and Santa Maria Novella railway station is about 1 km (10 minutes on foot). The area is filled with restaurants, cafés, and markets, including the Mercato Centrale. A tram stop with lines to the airport is within walking distance. The central location means street noise from bars and restaurants is common, though some rooms have soundproofed windows.

Accommodation options include rooms with private or shared bathrooms. Each room has air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and soundproof walls in some units. Single rooms come with free toiletries and city views. A small fridge is available on request, and fans can be provided when air conditioning is suspended (mid-September onward). Rooms can be small and furnishings are old; some beds are uncomfortable. Noise from the street and corridors is common, and the key policy requires handing in the key at reception each time you leave. No rooms have a balcony or kettle.

The hotel does not serve breakfast and has no restaurant or bar. Guests can eat at one of many nearby restaurants, including Il Porcospino, La Cantina di Baccus, Trattoria Antellesi, Trattoria Mario, and others, all within 0.5 km. The Mercato Centrale is also just a few minutes away. For morning coffee and pastries, cafés such as Vintage are immediately next door.

Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Luggage storage is available free of charge before check-in and after check-out until 5pm. Daily housekeeping is provided. The hotel has a safety deposit box (free), fax/photocopying (free), and 24-hour security with CCTV. A lift operates from the first floor up, but note that there are 22 steps from street level to the first-floor reception. Porter service is available. The hotel does not have a restaurant, bar, or laundry service, but a coin laundry is 70 metres away. No pets allowed. Accepted payment methods include Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, JCB, Maestro, Bancontact, CartaSi.