Palazzo Niccolini Al Duomo — Hotel in Florence

Altana Suite is on the 3rd floor, right beside the elevator then some narrow steps up to the bright high-ceiling living room with the jacuzzi up & behind, all facing the spectacular Duomo which is lit all night! You literally cannot get any closer. Windows on all three sides offer beautiful views, also of layers of red terracotta-tiled rooftops & mountains in the background. The bedroom is separated by curtains & surprisingly quiet and cosy like a cottage. And yes, soaking in the jacuzzi looking right at the Duomo is as magical as you'd imagine. There are individual temperature controls/vents for separate areas and most of the windows open, which is good 'cause a hot bath will fog them up if closed, blocking the view.

Royal Suite is on the 2nd floor, same as reception and breakfast. It's massive with original 18th century frescoes (above the bed & on the living room walls/ceiling) - can see the Duomo in all rooms although obviously from a lower angle. Honestly it feels like being in a museum display... probably what it feels like to sleep in a palace. The bed's really comfortable as well. The highlight for me is definitely the beautiful marble bathroom, all colors mirroring the Duomo - absolutely like a dream to be in a clawfoot tub right next to such magnificence. Rooms have radiators and double windows with curtains that shouldn't be opened except for the one in the bathroom. For a couple waking up at different times, you can't hear your partner in the other room at all.

The whole property is surreal, like stepping back in time - so uniquely special, from the lovely breakfast room to the giant gate. Cannot recommend either suite enough for a special occasion, especially during low season when it's not that cold out but not crowded and cheaper! There's some scaffolding at the moment but nothing major to block your view. It's one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences you'll never forget.

Fixed taxi rate from the airport is €25, taking just 20 minutes with no traffic. Walking distance to everything - apart from the main sights like the Uffizi, Michelangelo's David at the Accademia, up the Dome + Bell Tower for sunset, our favorites are Bargello's sculptures, Cappelle Medicee's impressive multicolor marble work, L’Antico Trippaio's lampredotto sandwich truck, Gilli's treats, and Babae's wine window.

Our universal adaptor seems to only plug into the bathroom outlet and not the other sockets in either room but luckily we brought our own...

We booked the 'Suite Experience' with breakfast in this traditional house. The bathroom is an incredible nice surprise: decorated in the colours of green and white marble just as the dome you see when you look outside the windows. The two other rooms are spacious, clean and decorated with real frescos, which are a pure enjoyment to watch. The bed leaves no wishes open. What did we miss? First (for that price) maybe some nice amenities in the bathroom, e.g. bathcubes, bathsalts from a Firenze Company-and not dispensers. It just not fits this kind of luxurious bathroom. Then the breakfast could be a bit more 'on point'. We know big breakfast is not that common in Italy, but times go international, and Firenze is full of great pastry and bakery. The hotel is located directly on the side of the dome, that means you have to use earplugs at night when you visit, Firenze tourist are not known for beeing quite at 10 p.m. and the place around the dome has many bars, etc. Due to bad weather, starting of 'Tour de France' in Firenze and therefore (?) absolute traffic-nightmare we needed 4 1/2 hour for 40 km from Villa Reale to this place, our GPS did not function because of the weather so we parked our car on the other side of the Arno and walked with suitcases to the residence. It is not that easy for a foreigner to find the way to the residence by car without GPS, it is quite tricky in fact, more like a labyrinth. The service of the residence was quite helpful about all of that but in fact, when we finally arrived by feet we just had to break up for dinner again at 9 p.m. in five minutes. So it was everything but pleasant and we needed a whole day to calm down and enjoy. So: be wiser than us and make a copy on the painter for your way to the residence (and not as we thought 'coming to the dome by car cannot be that...

Such a beautiful place!! It’s a 1400’s palace with only maybe 12 rooms with views of the duomo. Our first night we had a gigantic room that was beautiful but did not have any views which I thought we had booked. The person helping us was so helpful and worked out that we could move to another room the next day that had a view which turned out to be the royal suite at no extra cost!! Both rooms were very comfortable but oh my god the royal suite was amazing!! I felt like a vampire living in royalty! Ha! Comfy bed with beautiful ceiling art, fantastic living room with the best views of the Duomo! The breakfast room was so elegant with plenty of healthy options to chose from. We would enjoy a glass of wine downstairs before the entrance while meeting other guests. Or maybe soak in the giant claw foot tubs in the bathroom. Front desk was very helpful in booking a rooftop bar and restaurants and a private car to the airport on our last day. This place was likely the most unique place we stayed during our 5 weeks of travel and we stayed in a castle and another palace! This place takes you back in time!! And is only 30 steps from the Duomo! I wish I remembered the woman’s name that was so helpful but she had an eye injury during our stay if that helps management give her props!! She was so helpful and sweet!! Sadly my only pictures of the royal suite is a very long video of it which won’t fit but I’ve added the other room and breakfast area which are all...