All these positive reviews from experienced Tripadvisors can't be wrong. Hotel Hermitage has a fantastic location, but it doesn't disappoint on its service either!
For the location alone - literally less than 100 yards from the Ponte Vecchio - I'd suggest you give it some serious consideration for your first visit to Florence. It was my fifth visit to Florence and I wondered why I hadn't stayed there before. The hotel makes it so easy to access the Uffuzi, the great restaurants and shopping both north and south of the Arno (check out the women's boutique Marcel just before Piazza Pitti and La Badia shoe store just east of Piazza Signora).
From the late hour we checked in at the hotel - the service was always prompt and courteous. Do keep in mind, however, that this is not a 5 star hotel -- this is more similar to a bed & breakfast. So in some ways the service is more personal (such as asking for a late night drink from the honor bar after arrival) and in other ways, less "full" service (they won't be able to arrange a taxi pickup FROM the airport, though no problem on a taxi TO the airport). There's is always one person at reception and a porter during the day time.
Note that there is a set of steps both into the building of the hotel and then a larger set of steps from the building entrance up to the lift. Lift is very small just fits 3 persons without luggage - so if arriving with large luggage, best to ask for the porter.
We arrived at a slightly peculiar time for Florence. There was a big winter freeze (down to 10 degrees below freezing at night) and this did affect our stay and experience at the hotel.
Perhaps like many other older buildings in Europe, the insulation of the building left us cold during the big chill. Despite leaving the room heater on full-blast, we felt a constant cold draft in both the room and the always freezing bathroom. We ended up asking for extra blankets the second night, which helped.
It was way too cold during our stay to use the terrace, though we really enjoyed the decor of the reception room. Made us feel like we were in the living room of a local home, which is part of the charm of this hotel.
The decor of the rooms are also slightly older - not necessarily lush furniture or bedding, though there are modern TV's and a safe in the room. No mini-bar or fridge though. Everything was very clean and it showed that someone's paying attention -- the hotel is being well looked after.
We stayed on the 2nd floor and although we didn't experience any noise from other rooms, we did get woken up early Saturday morning by the emptying/dumping of glass bottles from facing the 'courtyard' -- really the back of several establishments and some car parking. No noise problems fortunately on Sunday.
The included breakfast is from 7am to 10am, though the hotel made allowances for us to stay and linger over breakfast after 10am. Good spread of breads, cheeses, yogurts and fruits. Coffee, teas, and cappuccinos made to order and again always served with courteous smiles. Hot items can be ordered separately for an extra charge.
For the price of EUR100/night, highly recommend this hotel based on the location and service for a short sightseeing/shopping/romantic trip to Florence.
- Hermitage Hotel Florence
