HOTEL MEDICI, Florence

The hotel is situated on a pedestrian-friendly street right in the heart of Florence. Duomo Cathedral is literally around the corner, and the main train station (Santa Maria Novella) is about a 10-minute flat walk. The surrounding area is packed with shops, restaurants, and bars, with several options including Caffe Gilli, Coquinarius, and Trattoria Za Za within a 5-minute walk. The hotel's own rooftop bar offers some of the best views in the city. While the central location makes sightseeing exceptionally easy, it also brings significant street noise-particularly from pedestrians, traffic, and early-morning refuse collection. This location is ideal for those who plan to walk everywhere, but less suitable for light sleepers without earplugs. Public parking is available off-site, but the narrow one-way streets can make navigation difficult.

Rooms are generally compact and simply furnished with basic amenities. Each room has a private bathroom with a hairdryer, a fan (no air conditioning), heating (limited to specific hours, typically 6PM-2AM), and some offer views of the Duomo or Campanile-these require a supplement and must be requested in advance. The rooms are equipped with a telephone, an alarm clock, and in some cases a dressing area and tea and coffee facilities (kettles available from reception). The shower cubicle is often very small, and the shower head is fixed, with water frequently leaking onto the bathroom floor; bathroom doors can also swell from moisture. Some rooms are located in a separate building 200m away. Cleanliness is generally praised, though some furniture and decor appear dated with scuff marks. Noise from the street, hallway, and the rooftop bar is a recurring theme, particularly on lower floors and over summer weekends. Rooms on higher floors offer better views and slightly less street noise. The rooftop bar on the 6th floor operates until midnight, with music and crowds that can be heard on the 5th floor.

The hotel does not serve breakfast, but you can have breakfast à la carte at the Robiglio pastry shop next door to the entrance, which opens at 07:00. The hotel restaurant-Robiglio-is listed as an on-site dining option, and the property has a coffee house, snack bar, and wine/champagne available for an additional charge. There is also a rooftop bar on the 6th floor serving drinks and light food (including snacks) with spectacular views of the Duomo-this is open to the public and does not offer priority to hotel guests. The surrounding streets are packed with restaurants and bars, with many options within a 2-minute walk, including Hard Rock Cafe, Trattoria Za Za, and Coquinarius. Since breakfast at the hotel requires payment at the pastry shop, planning your morning meal ahead of time is recommended.

There is no swimming pool, spa, hot tub, or wellness facility on site. The primary leisure attraction is the rooftop bar on the 6th floor, which offers stunning views of the Duomo and the Campanile. This space is open to the public and operates until midnight. It serves drinks and light meals, and is a popular spot for sunset. Hotel guests do not get priority seating, and the elevator often prioritises the rooftop bar, meaning hotel guests may need to wait or take the stairs. The hotel does not offer organised tours or sports facilities. For walking tours or sightseeing, all major attractions are within a short walk. The terrace is also accessible to guests for daytime use.

Wi-Fi is available free of charge in all areas. The 24-hour front desk provides concierge service, packed lunches, and can arrange valet parking. Pets are allowed with no extra charge, and pet bowls are provided. Accessibility includes an elevator (though small, fitting 2 people with luggage), and wheelchair-accessible rooms with emergency cords, lower bathroom sink, raised toilet, grab rails, and tactile signs. The hotel also offers family rooms, cots, and non-smoking rooms. For parking, public on-street parking is available nearby at €33 per day (no reservation needed) or a conventional garage at €27 per night-you cannot access the car between arrival and departure. Luggage storage is not officially offered, but very small bags can be left with reception at check-out. There is no bike storage. Payment at check-in often requires cash for the city tax (€4 per person per night), though the hotel may accept cards for city tax on request.