The Artists' Palace Florence — Hotel in Florence

The Artist’s Palace was a wonderful choice for our first family trip to Florence. Very conveniently located within walking distance to all the major sites and shopping areas, it sits on the Piazza San Lorenzo. We had a corner family room (#308), on the top floor, with an amazing view of the Basilica and piazza on one side, and the Medici Palace on the other. The frequent bells of the basilica were a welcome reminder of where we were. The room had a king bed on one side with two twins on the other. Perfect for our family with teen sons. The bathroom was large with two sinks and a tub. There were a few steps up and down in the reception area, as well as on the floor near the elevator which made navigating with suitcases a little difficult, but once settled it wasn’t an issue. There are also about four steps up to access the bathroom in the room. Not an issue for us but mentioning if mobility is a concern. We did not include breakfast for our stay, so cannot comment on it. It is not in the hotel however. Had it been we may have done so. There are decent restaurants on the same street, as well as a mini mart and pharmacy close by. We walked from the train station, which is not that far, but took a taxi upon leaving as rolling suitcases on cobblestones was a bit rough. Taxis will pick you up on the square, but we had to ask the hotel to call for us as Uber failed every time we tried to use it there. Once they called it was just minutes for a pickup. The staff were very pleasant at all times. The only negatives we experienced were a climate system that was a bit difficult to control (either too cold or too hot), one of the two safes in the room didn't work, and there was an unfortunate though light sewer gas smell that was consistently noticeable in the reception area on the ground floor, and sometimes on the upper floors. However there was no smell at all in the room itself so it was not an issue otherwise. Only mentioning for those that might be sensitive. We were there for New Years Eve and I guess the tradition in Italy is to throw firecrackers. As a result it was pretty loud being on the piazza late into the night, but was not on other nights. Finally we were told about Michelangelo staying in the building and about the famous library, but we never found it so didn’t see it. Looking at the pictures, that space would be perfect to serve breakfast. Recommend serving breakfast in the building. Definitely would stay there again as the price was reasonable for the location and cleanliness, and very...

I would love to give this hotel a much higher rating - the location was fabulous, the staff lovely, however cannot due to the handling of bed bugs. We stayed here for 6 nights in total - the first 3 nights in room 304. After two nights I noticed a couple of bites but assumed a spider or mosquito ( have never encountered bed bugs before so didn't even think of them!). The third night I did not wear pyjama's to bed (another huge mistake!) and woke up covered in bites. My husband also had several bites but unlike me his skin does not tend the react. The first two bites noticed were now large red swollen areas. At this point I will say that I am very sensitive to sand fly bites and was reacting in a similar way. We immediately told the hotel manager that we thought they had bed bugs and asked to change rooms. The hotel accommodated the room change (note: new room did not have bed bugs). The hotel stated they had never had a bed bug problem - I showed them a photo of the bites! By that afternoon the bites were swollen and sight seeing abandoned. I requested a local doctor and the hotel suggested that if I was having an allergic reaction they would call an ambulance - I found my own doctor! The doctor confirmed bed bugs. Antibiotics and cortisone cream and more antihistamines, I returned to the hotel to find they had put other people in room 304. I confirmed that whilst I did not hold them responsible for bed bugs (google said that hotels can be clean and lovely but still fall prey to bed bugs) I absolutely held them responsible for putting other people at risk in that room. Response: we have checked. We don't have them! Sorry - but over a week later second course of antibiotics and cortisone - Room 304 does have bed bugs! It could only have been there - all clothes were washed when we landed in Florence. Suffice to say all clothes were washed AGAIN following doctors diagnosis (and dried on high in dryer for 40minutes - shrunk clothes far better than bed bugs!), bags were disinfected, tea tree oil was placed everywhere and pleased to say no more bed bug bites!

It is simply not good hotel policy to move other people into a room where bed bugs have caused problems. This approach means I would not recommend the hotel despite the brilliant location. Fix the bed bugs and you are...

This unique hotel is very centrally located. It's just 5 minute walk to the Mercato Centrale (where we went every morning for breakfast/lunch). It is also 3 minute walk to the the Duomo-Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore and only 12 min walk to the train station. We stayed 5 nights at this hotel and walked everywhere. the longest walk was to piazzale michelangelo (on the other side of the river) which took us about 35-40 minutes. Because this hotels is so centrally located, there were some street noise late night or early morning (garbage trucks, street sweeper trucks, late night revelers, etc.) but it was still definitely worth staying here. ||The room we had was for the four of us (family with two college age boys), with a large and comfortable queen size bed and two single beds. the AC was comfortable and one of my sons appreciated all the English TV channels available on the TV. The large bathroom had two sinks and a large shower. The shower was see through, so only one person can use the bathroom at a time - which worked out ok. ||Elena (receptionist) was so very helpful - she helped us make a reservation at a nearby restaurant that we wanted to try. She also took time to explain to us the history of the property.||There is a very teeny tiny elevator (very slow) that can barely fit 2 people with luggages. most of the time we walked up and down the 4 (or 5?) flights of stairs. The 3rd floor (where many of the rooms are) is actually up 4...