Locanda de' Ciompi

The room was beautiful and the bed comfortable, and we’d happily stay here again. Maria and Francesco also gave us great restaurant tips and advice on seeing Florence. We had to leave cinque terre a day early because of a train strike. They rearranged things so we could arrive in Florence a day sooner, saving us and our itinerary. The owners of this bnb are AMAZING. 11/10 experience!

I spent eight days here and adored Mira and Francesco. At the end, they arranged an airport taxi and walked with me to the pickup spot to make sure I got off successfully. They’re gracious, helpful hosts, though they’re only onsite a few hours each day and otherwise available via WhatsApp. The rooms are quiet, clean even in the corners, and affordable. My bed was comfortable, the shower was good, and I appreciated the small fridge, hot water kettle, and bidet. The WiFi was iffy. I liked being just outside the busy tourist area, in the Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood of the Santa Croce district. There are good little restaurants, and Lisa Corti, a distinctive arty linen store, is near the fresh market. Try the freshly made carbonara from Salsamenteria de' Ciompi. Ponte S.Niccolo is a few blocks away, making for an uncrowded and interesting walk back from across the Arno. I enjoyed spending evenings away from the intense tourist scene. This isn’t a traditional B&B if that matters to you. There’s no shared living room, and you may never meet the other guests. Breakfast is a voucher for a couple of pastries, a small coffee, and bottled water at Pasticceria Nencioni down the street, so you have to go out. It’s carb-heavy and low in protein, not a hot meal prepared at home. I prefer yogurt and fresh fruit in my slippers, so I bought those at the nearby grocery and ate them in my room with pour-over coffee. I brought my filters and dripper from home, and there was a nice ceramic cup and saucer. At the bakery I swapped my pastries for a focaccia sandwich, then added meat and cheese from the grocery to make lunch to go. Caffetteria La Loggia down the street serves various hot American-style breakfasts and has a wider food selection than Pasticceria Nencioni. There wasn’t a chair in my room, but the hosts gladly brought me a wooden kitchen chair. I could sit beside the bed and watch the busy Piazza dei Ciompi through the window. The piazza’s history is worth looking up, along with the 1378 Ciompi revolt, for more context.

The owner was a pleasant, accommodating woman who gave us good ideas for things to see. Our room had lovely old-world charm, and the location made it easy to walk to various piazzas and cathedrals. There are also great restaurants nearby, including the pastry and espresso cafe where you can use the room voucher. Highly recommend.

We slept really well here, with quiet nights and rooms that had everything we needed, including air conditioning. They’re spacious and set in a gorgeous old building. The location is superb for heading out to explore. Breakfast is served at a beautiful little cafe down the road. It comes with a pastry, something savoury, coffee, and a bottle of water, which was a great start to the day. The hosts were welcoming and kind. Thanks for helping make our first trip to Florence wonderful!