Il Magnifico Soggiorno

Esmeralda's warm welcome made us feel at home right away. She was friendly, knowledgeable, and so helpful, especially with restaurant suggestions. Some of her recommendations became our favourite meals in Florence, and led us to places we wouldn't have found ourselves. The apartment was spotless, cosy, and well placed for exploring. We felt looked after throughout and would return in a heartbeat.

The owner was really nice and helpful, and the accommodation is well placed with good links to both the airport and city centre. The room we booked needs work, though. It smelled strongly of old furniture, the canopy was a bit dusty, and the air conditioning wasn't very good.

Esmeralda was so welcoming and made us feel at home. The price is hard to beat for the location and room size, and we felt safe in this tucked-away area. Buses and trams are about 100 metres away, and we could walk to our favourite places in 15-20 minutes, or take a 35-minute stroll to the Arno. Breakfast is included at a cafe around the corner, just a three-minute walk. Coffee and pastry on the sunny terrace were worth the short trip. The small elevator works for anyone who can't manage the stairs. The facilities all worked, the location was easy to find, and we had everything we needed, even little slippers. The old rooms and how much you can hear are part of the charm. Our room, Papa Leone, was beside the B&B entrance, so we heard people coming and going, checking in, and chatting on the sidewalk. The old doors let through plenty of noise. The shutters didn't close fully and the curtains were gauzy, so the room got bright early. If you're sensitive to light or wake easily, this might not suit you; one of the top-floor rooms could be a better choice. We slept through the noise and light thanks to sleep medication and sheer exhaustion from all the walking, so they weren't a problem for us.

We stayed three days in the heart of Florence, in a beautiful room that really gave us a sense of the Florentine air in the building. Esmeralda was kind and helpful, pointing out places to visit, and she even gave us traditional Cantucci biscuits. We loved our stay.