Serristori Palace Residence

The location is great, and I had a fine stay overall, though there are several things they could improve. The rooms are spacious and reasonably clean. It was handy to have free luggage storage, and self check-in was available at any hour without a late fee. Our arrival was frustrating. The instructions we first received were wrong, so we were stuck outside late at night. We called the emergency number several times and nobody answered. Someone eventually texted new instructions from that number, which revealed that the original access code was incorrect. We chose the place because it advertised air conditioning, but ours only blew hot air. WiFi in the room was poor. Clean towels cost 5 euros per person, and the bathrooms had only hand soap and a shampoo/body wash combo, with no conditioner or other products.

The design throughout the small hotel is really nice. The kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom were all connected, and each was very large. I was also blown away by the view over the river and the other side of Florence. For a small hotel with only a few rooms, it met my expectations.

We had a mix-up with our room for the first of our three nights, but the staff sorted it out after I spoke to the front desk. I’d booked the Signorina room directly through the website, but we were first put in Santa Croce. That room had two full bathrooms, though it didn’t have the view I wanted. They confirmed the booking and moved us the next day, so we got to experience two different rooms. Just be sure to check that you’ve been given the room you booked. The place itself was beautiful and felt like home, with a lovely mix of modern and historic style. The velvet sofa, thick rugs, wallpaper, and curtains all felt high quality. The room had everything we needed, from a hair dryer and espresso maker to a toaster, dishes, cutlery, and a mini fridge with complimentary water. The shower temperature and pressure were just right. We liked sitting on the balcony watching people pass through the lively but quiet neighborhood. Open the window to hear the street, or close it to block the noise. There’s also a spacious basement lounge with a washer and dryer, which helped since we were traveling light. The location on the Oltroarno side is great, near lots of dining and within a short walk of Palazzo Pitti, Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery, Piazza della Signoria, Basilica Santa Maria, and the Duomo. Piazzale Michalangelo is very close too, a great spot for sunset views. Many rooms look out over the Arno, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Duomo. The staff took excellent care of us, and apart from the initial room mix-up, we had a wonderful stay.

We found the area very safe for walking with family at night, and it’s about a five-minute walk to the city center, monuments, and restaurants. The traditional architecture and decor give the place a welcoming, family feel. Everything was clean and comfortable, and the view over the river and city was unbelievable. Such a lovely place to stay in Florence.