Atlantic Palace - Florence, Italy     

Having booked to stay in this hotel before reading the reviews we were a little unsure whether we had made the right decision......having just returned from Florence i can honestly say we definately made the right decision. From the moment we walked in the door we were made extremely welcome, we had abandoned our car about 1/2 mile away and they arranged for their valet parking to collect it for us and park it and when ever we wanted to use it, it was brought back to the hotel for us. The reception staff were very helpful in providing us with maps and local information on where the best places to eat were. The rooms were lovely and spotlessly clean and stayed that way all the time we were there, daily maid service saw to that. The room was spacious and well furnished. Its location is ideal for all the sights of central Florence and although located on a busy street, once you enter the door you are cocooned away from the trafiic and noise. The public areas are beautiful and again well furnished, bright and airey. Breakfast every morning was fantastic, it catered for all tastes having a full range of cereals, fresh fruit, yoghurt, bacon, scrambled egg, local bread, preserves, meat, cheeses etc etc. I would not hesitate in recommending this hotel to anyone who was thinking of staying in Florence. 10 out of 10 Thanks to all the staff for a lovely stay!!!

I am amazed this hotel qualifies as a four star. It is more like a 2/3 star. On the plus side, it was very clean and the staff were friendly and helpful. The downsides were: No bar, no restaurant and a truly terrible buffet breakfast. There is no-one making coffee or tea, so the only option is the machine coffee, which tasted like marmite. Total disparity in the rooms. Five of us stayed, I was in a pokey corridor with two single beds up against the wall. Others had better rooms but terrible bathrooms. Heating/air con was inexplicable. Sometimes it would be freezing, other times boiling hot. I lost track of the number of guests I heard complaining about this over the poor breakfast. Location wise it is fine, but then Florence is so small, any hotel is well located. If you go here, please do not expect a four star. And eat out for breakfast!