Benivieni - Florence, Italy     

If you are looking for a skimpy breakfast, 20" square tub-less micro shower in a windowless bath, mini towels that remove layers of skin, unusually low and frail bedframes with concave mattresses, flat unyielding pillows, and cheerless room decor along with a disorganized and creepy staff, this is the place for you. After our bed collapsed three times and being accused of juming up and down on it- absurd for a 61 year old- tossing the broken and unrepaired bedframe in the hall and sleeping on the floor the last night, we fled to the nearest 4 star for relief. Even with our complaints and 48 hour cancellation notice the hotel refused to return the 500.00 Euro they owed us! They were snotty and rude. We are well traveled, seen it all, and this was an unmitigated nightmare.

Hotel Benivieni is a great base to explore Florence. It really is amazing how you can be amidst the crowds around the Duomo and in a minute escape down a quiet side street and experience some peace and quiet. The hotel is historic and pleasant; the desk staff is very warm and welcoming. Rooms are fine, but the beds are a bit uncomfortable; I do find that this is frequently a problem in Europe. The bathroom is microscopic and a big guy has a problem even fitting in the shower, which seems to be designed for children. Breakfast is very nice, among the best I've had in Europe, but the same every day, and we spent a total of eight nights there. The server was gruff and didn't speak English, but after a few days we got her to smile and she would bring us better coffee than the awful Nescafe that they love to foist on Americans in Europe. We have not stayed in other hotels in Florence so I cannot compare this with others, but it certainly was a good value, especially since we got the off-season rate just before the high season started. We probably would now stay for fewer days in Florence and more in other parts of Tuscany, but if you do plan to spend time there the Benivieni is a very good base.