We stayed at the Instituto Gould (Foresteria) hostel in Florence, Italy July 28, 29 and 20, 2009. We are grandparents who brought our two granddaughters to Italy for their graduation (ages 19 and 17). We were at the hostel for three days and in those days our beds were never made nor was our room tidied. We got clean towels whenever we asked for them. There is no elevator so we had to walk 67 marble steps to our room which wasn't easy as I am recovering from knee replacement surgery. (We were told in advance that our rooms might not be made up every day.) This is a beautiful hostel in a charming, beautiful old palazzo with beautiful courtyard. We were told by some tenants that we were not allowed in the beautiful patio in back as it's for families (it's on their web site). We were pretty close to the Ponte Vecchio (walking distance). Also, there was no air conditioning so we had to have the windows open (no screens) so the girls got over 50 mosquito bites during the stay. But the price was reasonable.

I stayed with my partner for one week in this wonderful hostel housed inside a 17th century Palazzo. The hostel is run by the Anglican Church and the price is very inexpensive. The location is great, you can walk to the train station as well as all the main sites like the Ponte Vechio, Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Vechio and the Duomo. You are also close to the Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens. There are some great shops near the Instituto including coffeshops, delicatessens, internet cafes and the best gelateria I have ever been to near the Arno.
As for the room itself, it was spacious and clean, with exposed beams and a clean and simple bathroom. The only problem was that our room didn't have a TV but there are rooms with TV's available. If every hostel/hotel was like this then travelling would be so easy.

Firenze has expensive accomodation but Istituto Gould was an exception. 44euros per night for a single room during Easter was great value. 20 mins walk from train station, 500m from ponte vecchio, spacious and clean rooms with bathrooms. Very nice gardens too. Do book well in advance .

As other cities in Italy, finding a charming, peaceful and central hotel with a budget price is not easy. That's why i think Instituto Gould, in Florence, is a catch. This residence has clean and good size rooms with private bathroom. Situated in Via dei Serragli (Oltrano's area), Istituto Gould's palazzo is located near Palazzo Pitty and Ponte Vecchio and is about 15 minutes easy walk to the train station M. S. Novella. Our room was one of the most expensive in their list. It costs 32 euros per person and per night. The room very clean has two single beds, television with some international channels (like CNN and Sky News), private bathroom and a large window with a beautiful view to the private garden. There's no curfue. When you check in, you receive a key to your room and to the palazzo door. But there's a silence rule: no noise after 23 hours (11pm). And It works. It was very peaceful at night. Every morning i heard the birds singing in the private garden.
During your stay, no one cleans your room. But down the hall, you can find every thing you need, like little soaps and toilette paper. In the your closet's room, you will find blankets. Istituto Gould provides towels also. Down the hall, are also machines with cold drinks, coffee, capuccino and chocolate. We didn't have breakfast at the residence, but you can find many place where you can have a good and non expensive breakfast. The recepcionists are friendly and helpful.