Hotel Martelli - Florence, Italy 

Gppd value
Posted: Tue, Oct 17 2006
My friend and I have just returned from a 4 night stay in this hotel. It is a small hotel in a past palace belonging to the Martelli family I believe.There was lots of art around as well as wall paintings giving an air of splendour, We had a room on the first floor which was spacious, tiled floor, no view but very quiet as we didn't face the road, small but adequate shower room. Room was clean & kept so durning our visit, comfy beds, clean linen each day, fridge for our necessary water supply, tv was a bit blurry on some stations but we were so busy in the city it was no problem. As one other reviewer wrote staff were friendly except for one guy on reception who was surly to say the least & really gave a bad impression which was a pity. However the other two staff on reception were very smiley, helpful & friendly. The breakfast room was very striking & in charactor with a past palace. Food was plentiful juice, cereal, yoghurt, rolls, pastries, jam, honey, choc spread & soft cheese, tea or coffee. It is in a great position within easy walking distance of both train & bus arrivals. The Duomo is close as is the market & food hall. We felt it was good value for money & would stay there again,

Florence, Hotel Martelli, nice...
Posted: Tue, Sep 12 2006
My family (5 women) stayed at this hotel recently. My Aunt had seen this hotel on her previous visit to Florence and thought it looked nice. This four star hotel needs desperate help. We were first put it the "best rooms in the hotel"(as quoted be the gentleman at the desk). The floor was rotten and the rooms smelled. We slept in these rooms for one night and decided that we could not take it another night. We were moved to a "modern" room for the second night. This was like a different hotel. I still would have expected more from a 4 star hotel, but these rooms were clean and the the bathroom was nice. We will not stay here again. As the previous review states, we will check out the Sofitel and spend the extra money!

Florencia, Hotel Martelli, agradable...
Posted: Wed, Aug 30 2006
Es un hotel pequeñito, regentado por una familia, con sólo 53 habitaciones. La decoración interior es antigua, con un aire muy acogedor. Situado en pleno centro, se puede ir caminando al centro de Florencia. Me alojé en una habitación sencilla, que me costó 155 € por noche. Un poco cara para un cuarto pequeño con no mucho espacio. Una tele en la que todos los canales se ven con «nieve», casi siempre en blanco y negro y ni rastro de la radio anunciada... Sin embargo, el servicio s excelente y cambian las toallas y las sábanas todos los días. Es un hotel de 3 estrellas, pero yo le daría más bien 2 por las atestadas habitaciones sencillas.

Would Not Return
Posted: Sun, Aug 13 2006
My family (5 women) stayed at this hotel recently. My Aunt had seen this hotel on her previous visit to Florence and thought it looked nice. This four star hotel needs desperate help. We were first put it the "best rooms in the hotel"(as quoted be the gentleman at the desk). The floor was rotten and the rooms smelled. We slept in these rooms for one night and decided that we could not take it another night. We were moved to a "modern" room for the second night. This was like a different hotel. I still would have expected more from a 4 star hotel, but these rooms were clean and the the bathroom was nice. We will not stay here again. As the previous review states, we will check out the Sofitel and spend the extra money!

Good location but not cheap and not so cheerful.
Posted: Tue, Aug 01 2006
The hotel is well-located - close to the airport shuttle bus station (which is just next to the railway station) and a short walk to the Duomo. We were able to deposit our bags on arrival (which was several hours before the check-in time at 14.00) which was appreciated. The staff at the front desk were generally good, though we did have one guy on check in who seemed to think that marking several places on forms and saying "sign-here" was sufficient explanation for what he was asking us to do. Got room 69 which is accessed through crossing the breakfast room - via two lifts or easy stairs if you prefer. The room was dark - the room backed on to another building and even with the shutters open the trade-off was to use the room lighting instead. Didn't manage to get the bedside light bulb replaced even though I removed it and left it on the bedside cabinet to demonstrate that it had blown - the bulb was removed but no replacement made. Squashed mosquito on the wall didn't add to the room's "ambience" which was tired in appearance and only really cheered-up by the blue duvet cover - beware the pics. on some websites as they make the rooms appear to be classically and tastefully decorated in a renaissance style - they're not! Neither are they sound-proof - lots of noise from the cleaning staff and other guests bright and early (7am) and if you don't take a shower v. early don't expect hot water...tepid at best. Overall we felt that we should have paid more and gone for a 4* hotel as this 3* wasn't to our taste. The Italian-only TV was a minus too (not that we came to Florence to watch TV but, you know...) Overall I'd say check out the Sofitel - which is nearby; its probably a lot pricier but it looked stylish.