My first time in Europe and I stayed at Hotel De Lanzi. I wondered off the shuttle from the airport near the train station and managed to find the hotel without too much trouble pulling my luggage behind me. It was probably a 5-10 min walk from the train station. The location was fantastic, right in the middle of the city and steps to everything.
The ladies at the front desk were very helpful. The hotel is quite old and everything about it is small from the elevator, to the shower, to the room - but I have been told that is what it is like in europe. The door to my room literally opened within inches of the bed, which I could barely walk around (I had a single room). I felt relatively safe in the room, I won't say perfectly safe but that was probably just my paranoia being alone in a foreign country for the first time (and the jet lag).
I managed to buy a internet card from the front desk so I could send some emails. The tv had about three channels and two of them were news. The breakfast was passable, but nothing like a north american continental breakfast. There really wasn't a lot to choose from. I think I ended up eating three yogurts each day to fill myself up. There were a few cold cuts and some croissants but not many.
The hotel requires you leave your key at the front desk when you go out which is probably not a bad idea if you are worried about pick pockets.
Overall, I booked last minute on expedia and really just needed a budget hotel to lay my head while I explored the city for two days and Hotel De Lanzi fit the bill. However, I am sure in North America the room rates would be 1/3, but I suppose that is the premium you pay for location.
- De Lanzi Florence
- De Lanzi Hotel Florence
