Villa Betania

It’s peaceful and cozy here, with a yard around the hotel, and very quiet. Just keep in mind that it’s outside the city centre, and getting there means walking beside a really noisy road. We wouldn’t recommend using public transport or taxis to get here. More breakfast choices would be a welcome improvement.

At 5am the fire alarm went off, and all of us gathered outside while it kept sounding. Reception was closed at that hour, so there were no employees to explain what was happening. Eventually the alarm stopped. With no smoke or visible fire, we assumed it was safe to go back in, but there still wasn’t a single employee around. We got no apology or explanation. We heard that a guest had supposedly been smoking in their room. Surely a whole hotel shouldn’t have to be evacuated whenever someone breaks the rules and smokes. The lack of apology was quite rude. The location is good, but you can hear your neighbors talking. There’s very little, if any, soundproofing.

I first picked this hotel because it’s close to where I need to go for work, but it’s amazing in every respect. It’s quiet, set in a beautiful old villa surrounded by a small private park, and not crowded with tourists. The posh residential neighborhood is another plus, and it’s very good value for money. Palazzo Pitti and Ponte Vecchio are a 15-minute walk away, or just a few minutes by bus or taxi. My favorite hotel in Florence. Highly recommended.

It’s a very nice, posh place to stay, and really feels Mediterranean. There aren’t many rooms, so parking inside is easy and there’s plenty of space. The smaller size also seems to make breakfast better. The staff make a proper cappuccino or other coffee, the juices are fresh and full of vitamins, and there are eggs, cheese, and meat. I know those aren’t usual Italian breakfast foods, but the main event was the delicious traditional pastries and stuffed croissants. Our room’s air conditioner was already running when we arrived, which felt so relaxing. The shower water kept switching between hot and warm, though. It’s easy to get to the city centre, and there were rentable scooters nearby. Just be aware that with Bird scooters you have to return them to where you picked them up. The app marks the area by the villa as a “no parking zone”.