Hotel Grifone

We were welcomed at the reception by Gloria and Alessandra, who were genuinely kind, professional, and full of useful local tips. The pool was ready to use as soon as we arrived, and we enjoyed food and drinks on its relaxed terrace. Our room was spotless, comfortable, and modern in style. Hotel Grifone is also very well placed for getting around Florence. Everything worked out beautifully, and the service, amenities, and comfort felt like great value. We’d gladly return.

The breakfast was a real highlight, and the hotel was lovely, comfortable, and very clean. We stayed on the outskirts of Florence, in a beautiful surrounding area. Since we had a car, the available parking was a big plus. It costs extra, but the convenience was worth it. We’d come back here on another visit to Florence, especially by car.

I had a very relaxing afternoon at the spa, using the pool, steam room, and sauna. The hotel is in a quieter spot, away from the city center bustle, though you can walk there in 20-25 minutes or take a bus or taxi. I think it’s also fairly close to Florence’s smaller train station. There are nearby restaurants and a coop for groceries and essentials. I arrived early after a morning train and the staff held my luggage and invited me to use the lounge. It’s a comfortable place to get organized after traveling and before going sightseeing. I’ve already recommended the hotel to friends visiting Florence this summer, and I’d happily stay again.

The beds were really comfortable, there were always plenty of fresh towels and toiletries, and reception staff were consistently polite and helpful. My son and I shared a room and moved the beds apart for a bit more privacy. Breakfast was okay for us as vegetarians, with a Mediterranean selection. Bus tickets are sold at Reception, along with detailed maps of the area and local sights. Getting into town takes about 30-35 minutes on foot, and it’s far enough from the bustle but still walkable. Or take Number 14 from the stop around the corner, which gets you there in 7-8 minutes. Taxis are rather expensive, especially at night, at 20-25 euros each way, so eating out can add up. You need a physical ticket for the bus, validated in the yellow machine. One day my son paid with Apple Pay, but the payments were still pending when four very unpleasant Bus officials boarded. They harassed us and threatened to call the Police. I’m 70 and found it very upsetting. They aggressively demanded photo ID, so bring a driver's licence even if you aren't renting a car. I only had a bank card and an EHIC medical emergency card. One inspector took both down the bus, entered information into his machine, and threatened fines. We eventually got off, after a lot of intimidation. I was worried my bank details had been compromised and froze my card, which caused a lot of inconvenience for the rest of the holiday. Lorenzo at Grifone sympathised and said the behaviour was appalling, and that English and American tourists faced this harassment too often. Apart from that experience, we had an amazing four days in Florence. We visited La Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, Accademia, the Vasari Corridor, Ponte Vecchio Bridge, and Gucci gardens on their first day of opening. David statue was incredible. The hotel was clean, well presented, and had great facilities. We fell in love with Florence, though we only skimmed the surface, and will certainly return.