Oltrarno Splendid

The corner suite was spacious and full of character, with a lovely design. Morning sun came onto the balcony, which looked over terracotta rooftops and a nearby church; you could faintly hear its bells. The tea selection, espresso machine, minibar, and bath were all great after a day out. We found the place peaceful, close to the Arno, with good restaurants nearby and easy access to both Oltrarno and the main Florence sights. Breakfast, plus drinks and snacks available all day, was delightful. The staff were warm, attentive, and helpful, and communication before arrival was excellent. The taxi from Florence Airport took about 30 minutes and cost just over €30. On arrival, we wondered if we’d been dropped at the wrong place: huge keypad doors, a gated entrance, and a tiny lift made it feel like a private residence. A distinctive first impression. No hotel is perfect, but our stay at Oltrarno Splendid was one of our best. There are only a limited number of suites, so book early if you can.

We had a fantastic stay and would come back. The hotel sits in a beautiful historic building, with lovely rooms, quirky decor, and plenty of places to sit and relax. Staff were attentive and friendly, and breakfast came with fresh coffee and a tasty continental selection. Its location is brilliant: restaurants and cafes are close by, and a short walk over the river takes you into the heart of the city. For improvements, the rooms could use more wardrobe space, plus a full-length mirror and somewhere for my wife to do her hair.

I’m extremely disappointed by the hotel’s lack of empathy and its disregard for public health and safety. My daughter’s pediatrician diagnosed her with conjunctivitis, influenza H3N2, pharyngitis, and a middle ear infection. Even after we provided official medical documents, the hotel wouldn’t cancel our reservation or give any refund. They knew we had influenza H3N2, a highly contagious virus, but still chose to keep the full payment from a family facing a medical emergency. It seems profit mattered more than basic decency, guest wellbeing, or public health. The staff and other guests deserved better than management putting them at risk of infection. I can’t recommend this hotel to anyone who cares about ethical business or basic compassion.

We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in the top room, with wide views across Florence’s rooftops. The place is gorgeous: find the huge hidden door off the main street, go through the gated courtyard, then take the lift up. Breakfast was lovely, with attentive service and everything we needed. Snacks and drinks were available all day after exploring Florence. Alberto was fabulous and gave us great restaurant recommendations and suggestions. We’ll be back as soon as we can. XX