A well deserved 5 star rating. Classic Old World charm and elegance updated with impeccable service…read moreand quality. From afternoon tea in the lobby to drinks on the terrace during the Golden Hour this is a must splurge. Come dressed well and enjoy.

Exceptional hotel. The entire staff and Concierge team are some of the best I have seen in my…read moretravels. Food was great, rooftop bar newly renovated, rooms were clean, well appointed and spacious. Only wish was to have more English speaking TV channels when it came to winding down at night. Situated along the Arno River was within walking distance to anything you needed or wanted for your stay in Italy. Fun fact - Napoleon's sister Carolina Boneparte once owned and resided at the hotel and is buried in the Church across the street. Not to worry the ceilings were very tall! Hehe.

amazing staff here and the hotel is very charming. its decent location, a short 15 minute walk from…read moreeverything. The hotel has a great bar and lounge area that comes alive in the evenings. Live piano player and just a cozy charming area. Breakfast buffet is ok, nothing amazing but definitely adequate enough. The rooms are clean and beds are very comfortable. One issue is the noise level is high, street noise is very high and not the hotels fault. So bring ear plugs, or noise machine. I was very happy with the hotel and the staff was amazing.

Our stay was very nice. Although at check in, they seemed to be very rude. They have to check how…read moremany individuals that are staying in the rooms. The staff like "salam" who work the front desk area are efficient and fast. They grab all your bags, can call you a taxi within minutes. Salam was very helpful. Rooms are clean. Pool is nice but half of the pool was 7ft deep. Too deep for my eldest but there is the other side that is only 2.5 ft deep. This is only about 0.8 mile from the meecato central. Don't rent a car because this is walkable and you cannot park anywhere near florence and with your rental. If you do have a rental there is a garage across the street they use for 45 euro a night. But you have in and out privileges. Other garages down town florence don't allow you to move the car in and out even if you paid all day fees. Overall this hotel was very nice

Amazing experience. We've stayed at many other Marriott properties: the JW, the Ritz etc but this…read moretakes the cake. Paco in the front was so nice and helpful. He set up such a nice dinner at the river for us. Rebecca our lovely butler was so kind and efficient. It made our stay luxurious and memorable. Will be planning our travels around the St. Regis locations. Can't express how grateful we are for the hospitality and the beautiful historic property. The location was so close to the Plaza Repubblica. It was really hot this summer but otherwise everything would've been super walkable. Great for kids and families as well. The breakfast had something for everyone. Just come and experience it for yourself. Ciao ciao.

We were on a Tauck tour of Florence and they booked us at this hotel for two nights. It was…read morefabulous. The lobby is beautiful. All staff members were very friendly and accommodating. The rooms are beautiful as well as comfortable. The breakfast buffet had so many good looking and tasting items on it. We also had a group lunch our first day there and the food and desserts provided were great, especially the spinach and ricotta ravioli and the cheesecake.

3 star hotel. Great if you're looking for proximity to train station, but that is almost all that…read morecan be said positive. The day time hostess/ check-in woman / coffee maker is quite friendly and sweet. However the nighttime clerk, seemed reluctant to provide additional services or answer basic question. Asked for a small bag of ice for an injury the first evening. Though she eventually provided a little plastic bag with about a 20 ice cubes from the freezer in the kitchen, her first response was to go to the pharmacy. And when inquiring about a hairdryer the second night, she told us, she have it away to another room! What?! Only one hairdryer for all rooms? (Turns out there was a hairdryer attached to the wall in the bathroom.) The room is clearly of Swedish design. Unfortunately, by that I mean IKEA furniture with some stickers still on the product. Despite the double paned windows, the train was relatively muted, however the walls are quite thin and you can hear the rooms next door. Including the yelling at the tv on one side, and the sex sounds from the other room. Lol. The elevator was pretty janky. Old style elevator where you have to close the outer doors and inner doors by hand. Someone must not have closed it properly one night, and I had to walk up the extra 3 floors. (Probably 6 sets of floors as Europe has those double floors.) Basic breakfast was decent. Scrambled eggs not made to order, so depending when you get them, between hot and room temp. But the host/ checkin lady is very personable and will make you a fresh cup of coffee. Pastries and yogurt also available. All in, I'd give it 3.5 stars. But as I have to choose between 3 and 4. It's a 3 overall. As Florence is super small, next time, I'd go much closer to city center.

This was my favorite hotel! I stayed here with my husband for a couple of days during our…read morehoneymoon! The front desk staff spoke perfect English and were so friendly! They actually gave us a bottle of wine and a dessert to celebrate! The room was large and comfortable, and had a covered balcony right next to the train station. Do NOT worry about the train station. You can not hear anything, because they sound proofed the room. There was a fully functional kitchen, which was great because i got to cook and save money on dining. The breakfast is plentiful and the coffee was strong. I highly recommend this hotel and will definitely stay here the next time we visit. Well done!

Location is a bit outside the city center but you can walk to the museums and restaurants without…read moreany trouble. The bartender is great and the cocktails are unusual but I haven't had anything bad yet. The gym is fully stocked except they need better mats for a work. The room we got was an upgrade and it was spacious with a beautiful bathroom and bidet! The nice thing about Marriott hotels is you know what you will get no matter where you are .

Rooms are very nice . Check in was not pleasant avoid…read moreMarcus at front desk big attitude . Would not give asses to wifi to find update rate . Be precise on booking. With platium / or any other creditials . I hope Marcus family never has to endure travelingfor 30 hours to have an unpleasant check in .

Wow wow wow! Location is prime, beautiful and the service was impeccable. I have never fell in love…read morewith a hotel and I definitely fell in love with GHM. Booked through the hotel collection with AMEX travel and received such an amazing return. Giulia/Giuseppe were superb! Giulia took care of our check in and is full of amazing information! Giuseppe helped guide us to our rooms and was helpful in explaining how the room worked. The wait staff in the breakfast and the lounge/bar area were all very friendly and helpful. We really enjoyed our honeymoon staying on property. A little bummed that the pool was closed but it was chilly in November so I totally understand. The rooftop was still open for use if you want to go take photos of the amazing view or bring your beverage to enjoy. I can't wait to come back to Florence and will be looking forward to staying on property again. My favorite was the breakfast buffet! The cappuccino, americano, the buffet spread.... Gah I dream about it still. Bed was very comfortable and the bathroom was beautiful, open and great water pressure w the rain style sprayer in the shower. Love the bidet but I think that's just standard in European style bathroom. Lastly, the view! We really lucked out w the room and the location... definitely the best hotel I've stayed at so far and we can't wait to be back.

A bumpy start with a stellar finish. My room was facing the square and was incredibly quiet and…read morepeaceful. I felt safe sleeping with the window open, breeze coming in. One night with a magical thunder & lightening storm. I slept better there than any other location on my lengthy trip. Hot water and great water pressure A+++ But, the best part was the staff and the people. I wish that I could name them all. The booking manager went out of his way to assist with a booking error that was all my fault. Quite an ordeal for him to correct. I am grateful. The front end manager took care of a room issue upon arrival and went above and beyond to make it better than okay... Specifically, two of the people that helped with room service were gracious and kind. It's wonderful to be greeted with that energy first thing in the morning. The restaurant and bar staff were kind, friendly and helpful daily. They really made me feel welcome and at home in Florence. The food is exceptional. You mist try the chocolate chip cookies and chocolate croissant- better than France I don't normally care for chocolate and these were a favorite! The touch of salt in the cookie and crispness at the edge! Masterful! The breakfast buffet is A+++ Beautifully displayed, large variety of options- FRESH! I had 3 dinners onsite- I loved the chicken Cesar salad. Pasta was delicate with complex flavors...Room service for breakfast made working from my room and a slow pace in the morning essential for the ease of my stay. The staff were incredibly kind and accommodating when I messed up with the room service ordering. They went above & beyond to help and make me feel comfortable. The hotel is in the perfect location. Close to walk to everything. Taxis a few steps away which is good because with traffic - requesting a car can take a bit to get to you before you even begin. Train & public transportation 5 min away. The over arching theme was the kindness of the staff - across the board. I am grateful... and... I can't wait to return and have recommended Grand Hotel Minerva to many headed to Florence.

We stayed at Hotel Spadai and had a wonderful check-in experience. The staff was friendly and…read moreaccommodating. When we got to our room, we loved the view overlooking the street, just one block from the Florence Cathedral. The room was very comfortable, especially after arriving in the rain. As we explored the city, we spoke with Noemi at check-in and asked about the spa services they offered. She was a good listener and helped decide on a package. We looked through the brochure, and she recommended booking in advance to ensure availability. We decided on the €295 couples package, which included a couples massage 30 min/each. The private spa would be booked for two hours total. We booked it for the following day, and she informed us that cancellations were not allowed within 24 hours. Not only was the hotel stay excellent and the service top-tier, but the spa experience was on another level of luxury. We were escorted to a private spa area that included a jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, bathroom, shower, robe and slippers. The massage therapists each gave us a relaxing 30-minute massage. Snacks, berries, and wine were also included. We chose to have them delivered to our room afterwards but you can have it during your spa allotted time. I must say, for any special occasion, this experience is absolutely worth it! Besides the comfortable room and friendly staff, the spa treatment was hands down the highlight of our stay. I can say with certainty that when I return to Florence, I wouldn't be able to stay anywhere else.

Excellent hotel, 150 yards from the Duomo. One of the nicest hotels we have ever stayed at. Staff…read moreis fantastic, super friendly and everyone had a least a little English, at least enough to communicate. Best bed linens to be found, we had great nights rest every day. The included breakfast was also outstanding. We enjoyed a Spa appointment, wish we could have included a massage, but that was not available. Steam shower and sauna were great to rejuvenate after 8 miles of walking in Florence. We will be back again.

Would you spend the night in what used to be a women's prison in the 12th century?…read more The Pagliazza Tower is the oldest building in Florence. It was built in the 6th century AD by the Byzantines as part of the "newer" city walls to augment the older Roman ones and protect the city during the Gothic War. The circular shape, which was rare in the Middle Ages, reflects ancient Roman building techniques. The tower rests on a circular wall that surrounded a swimming pool or Roman thermal bath. In the basement there is a calidarium, with brick floor channels for heat, which would have been used for steam baths. According to our guide, Roberta, it was used as a women's prison in the 12th century. Pagliazza references the straw mat bedding upon which the inmates slept. Later on, it was converted into the bell tower of a church. Eventually it was acquired as a private residence. Today it is home to a luxury hotel with a small museum and restaurants. The museum showcases artifacts from excavations dating back to the Roman and medieval times. Although we didn't stay here, the history of the Pagliazza Tower is very interesting.

"It's not where you live, it's how you live,"…read more It's nestled in the heart of Florence with rooms with a view of the Duomo - Duomo (English: /dwomo/, Italian: [dwmo]) is an Italian term for a church with the features of, or having been built to serve as a cathedral, whether or not it currently plays this role. Checking in was easy with an accommodating staff. The rooms are nice, but not fabulous, The elevator system confuses everyone! The breakfast (complementary for us) was quite good. While the location is fabulous and the staff quite nice, I expected a slightly nicer room for the price, but as they say, location, location, location.

The best hotel I've ever stayed in!…read more Not only is the hotel's decor beautiful, but it's super comfortable (Perfect temperature without having to mess with a heating system). The morning breakfast buffet is delicious and awesome, especially if you're a typical tourist like myself who wants to try classic Italian pastries. You can also ask for custom made drinks like cappuccino and hot chocolate and the employees will gladly make them for you. It only takes a few days for this hotel to start feeling like a home. I was sad to leave! If you're visiting Florence, you should DEFINITELY stay in the Hotel Alba Palace.

I judge a hotel in a few basic things: 1) how I sleep…read more2) my shower 3) location and then of course other little details Sleep: The bed is on the firm side and the pillows flat, but that said; I slept amazingly well. The room temp was perfect and the double windows- yes, not just double paved windows, but DOUBLE double panel windows made for a quiet night Showers: The shower looks small from the inside, but once you get in; it's tiny. But, it has a handheld hose option, the pressure is perfect and I never ran out of hot water. So I give it an A+ Location: We came by train and this hotel is only a few minutes walk from Santa Maria Novella Station. And yet we loved the intimate little neighborhood it's in. Breakfast: Excellent! A great spread each morning of pastries, good coffee, juices, scrambled eggs, hard boiled eggs, sliced meats, cereal, cheese, yogurt and more. Just a great stay in a marvelous city! Can't wait to return. That breakfast!!