Hilton Garden Inn Florence Novoli

The staff were very friendly, but the room made it hard to relax. Water escaped from the shower every time and left big puddles on the floor. The bed frame also stuck out well beyond the mattress, and we banged our shins on it several times. It didn’t feel safe in the dark. Overall, the room was impractical and this wasn’t my best Hilton stay.

The room was well equipped, and I got an upgrade to a junior suite as H H Gold. The bed was excellent, breakfast very good, and all the staff were great. It’s about 10 minutes by tram from the airport and another 10 to the city centre, with a beautiful park and green hills across from the hotel. My one complaint is that there was no soundproofing in the room.

I was arranging a surprise from Australia for my mum’s 60th birthday while she was travelling in Italy, and the Hilton team were incredible. Trisha, Erika and Luca helped me organise a cake and champagne and pointed me to a fantastic florist, Flor de Lis. When the flowers arrived, they’d set everything up in Mum’s room for her, including a handwritten card with our personal message. It all went perfectly. I can’t thank them enough. Best. Team. Ever. 💜🥰👌

The main appeal turned out to be the location. We chose this Hilton after researching Florence hotels because we’re new Hilton Honors members, and wanted to be outside town near the tram. The stop is a short walk to the end of the street, and you can ride across town to the other university, the last stop, then walk to many of the main piazzas. It’s a safe area with lots of students coming and going from San Donato college. There are regular Italian places nearby, plus a big grocery store with a cafe many local Italians used in the morning. The staff were also helpful booking our taxi to the Antinori winery. The room itself was basic, with a terrible frame that you’ll hit your shins on. We didn’t spend much time there, so it was enough for us, but it wasn’t great value. In mid-October we paid about $210 a night in Montepulciano in southern Tuscany, while this room averaged $250. We also didn’t love the feeling of paying Hilton corporate for another very average hotel. Still, the convenience, safety, and tram access made the stay worthwhile.