La Residenza dell'Orafo

We were allowed to check in early at no extra cost because our room was ready. It was clean and nice, a little small but perfectly fine, and the staff were kind and helpful. The old elevator still works, so our large luggage was no trouble. Great place to stay in Florence, right across the road from Firenze S.M. station.

We had a great stay. The room was big, clean, and beautifully decorated with updated furnishings, and they let us check in early. It’s close to the train station, too. We couldn’t have found a better place.

We barely needed public transport in Florence. The center was about 10 minutes away on foot, the market 3-4 minutes, and the station just 2 minutes. There’s also a bus to the outlet that takes 15 minutes. The staff were super nice, and there’s a grocery store below the accommodation and a breakfast cafe across the street. It’s on a main road, so there is some noise, though it’s muted. The bed was very comfortable, and the outside blinds made the whole room dark enough that light didn’t bother us. We hope we get the chance to come back!

The noise was constant from every direction, and we couldn’t rest or feel comfortable. My wife booked La Residenza dell’Orafo after seeing the appealing photos and descriptions, but our stay was terrible. It’s an apartment building with the B&B on one floor, another B&B above it, and a restaurant below undergoing heavy construction. This wasn’t like any proper B&B I’ve stayed in. The property knew about the construction before we arrived but didn’t tell me, saying they didn’t have my contact information even though they had our booking details. The building felt unsafe and poorly managed, with no staff overnight, so you’re on your own if something goes wrong. The furniture looked new but cheap, the walls were paper thin, and even without construction you’d hear anything from the street. The only elevator smelled of urine. When I said I couldn’t stay because of the noise and conditions, the staff member who was there refused any refund, not even a partial one, and became aggressive, trying to snatch the keys from my hand. Completely unprofessional. This was one of my worst travel experiences. I’d avoid this place.