We stayed here as part of a small group tour of Italy (Oct24-26). Many of the rooms were different in size but all members of our group felt they were quite spartan. Ours did have a small kitchenette area but we only used the small bar fridge. The breakfast buffet provided a good start to the day. Our sleeps were not the best - the beds are hard and we had trouble controlling the temperature. The night we left the window open to cool the room we had to contend with street noise and mosquitoes. The staff was co operative and the location was fine, although a fair hike to the Ponte Vecchio / Uffizi area. For bus travellers, the off loading area was quite a distance to reception and check in. The hotel grounds were very attractive. Our group stayed in 3 different locations in Italy , expecting 4 star accommodations in all three. This was really the only one that disappointed us.

Our hotel room was immaculate, but the beds were hard and the pillows not soft at all, did not sleep well here. I then discovered most of the hotels in Italy are the same. No boxsprings, only mattresses!
Location was good, within walking distance of the duomo and area shopping, restaurants.
I recommend this hotel and give it a very good rating. Stayed there while on a GoAhead Tour.

My daughter and I stayed here for three nights in Sept. 2011. We booked through a web site called escapestoitaly.com. After I booked it, I realized that the agency wasn't booking the specific room they showed on the website, but you might get any room in the residence part of the hotel. That worried me and I told the agency I wanted a room with a terrace like what was pictured on their web site. We got it and it was AMAZING. The room was spacious, clean, nice little kitchen, fantastic terrace. We both really loved this place and would for sure stay again. It was about a 15 minute walk to the historical center but there was so much to see along the way we didn't mind. The hotel staff spoke english well, which was another plus. Would highly recommend the residence side of this hotel. We didn't deal at all with the other side.

we stayed here for 2 nights in July on a tour of Italy.

The room was a very spacious apartment in the old part of the hotel, not the new block, with a large living area which incorporated a kitchen and all the equipment that goes with the need to self cater. We never did but the fridge did come in handy as did the cutlery, glasses etc.

The bedroom area was again very spacious and the furniture throughout albeit not modern was comfortable.

The bathroom was again very spacious with a very good shower.

Throughout the room was clean on arrival and remained so for the duration for our albeit brief stay.

The staff in the hotel very very helpful and polite throughout our stay. We had an issue with the Air Con which could not be turned off from the control panel but a member of staff quickly came to the room and showed me the main switch on the fuseboard to deactivate it.

Location wise is is at the far end of the Historical area but the main areas are walkable. Major plus is that a few steps from the hotel is Antica Trattoria "da Tito" dal 1913 (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187895-d1908799-Reviews-Antica_Trattoria_da_Tito_dal_1913-Florence_Tuscany.html ) where we would have eaten on both nights had it not been closed on the Sunday evening. There are alternative restaurants in abundance and a cafe plus a mini supermarket just steps from the hotel entrance.

10 Euro cab ride from SM Novella Rail station but if you have minimal luggage it would be a pleasant enough walk.

There had been a recent room tax put in place within Florence which meant we paid an extra 4 euro per night per person. (1 Euro per star of hotel)

Wireless internet was also available in the vicinity of the reception area ( no charge)where there are numerous sofa's and outdoor seating options.

We did not use the restaurant or breakfast option but the dining area looked very pleasant and was adjacent to the hotel bar.

Pro's - Large, well equipped rooms at a very reasonable price.
Con's - On the outskirts of Central Florence.