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Deciding between Two Amazing Florence Accommodations

Posted by on

Hello!
I am deciding between two options for our stay in Florence for our family of 4 (our kids are two young adults - ages 20 & 21).

1) An executive suite at the San Firenze Suites & Spa located right in the middle of everything with amazing views - 869 Euro per night ($1200 Cdn) = $2400 total for our two nights. Queen bed for us and two sleeper couches for the kids.

2) Fornace Suite - a beautiful two-story "duplex" BnB with a king on the main and two singles upstairs, but a good 10 minute drive outside of the city centre (south of the Arno River) but close to Piazzale Michaelangelo. Half the price at 420 euro per night ($600 Cdn) or $1200 total.

$600 per night is what we have typically been paying on average for our stays in bigger cities around Europe for our family of 4 ($300 per room, if separate rooms) and we budgeted for that, so the first hotel in city centre would put us over budget by about $1200. I am having a difficult time justifying paying double for this hotel, but would do it if it is actually worth it. Would love to hear your opinions on this. Needing help to decide.

Both places offer free breakfast and have rave reviews.

Activities:
Day 1 (arrival) - Climb dome and visit David at Accademia first evening after arrival
Day 2: Visit Uffizi at 8:45 am, see some sites (Ponte Vecchio) wander around and have lunch, then leave kids behind to go on a half day wine tour in Tuscany at 2:30 pm.
Day 3 (departure): Shopping, wandering and possible visit to Pisa, before catching train at 2:30 to next town.

Thanks!

Posted by
15193 posts

Since you like that type of accommodations (contemporary style) then also take a look at this hotel. I’ve stayed here a couple of times.
https://www.pontevecchiosuites.com/

As far as the two you mentioned, I don’t know them personally but of course I know both locations, and actually I had a couple of high school buddies living around via della Fornace, although it’s a nice area, however the one on Piazza San Firenze is more convenient for a tourist. If you stay on via della Fornace (an ancient street leading from the San Niccolo city gate to via di Ripoli and eventually to Bagno a Ripoli), you will be at a long walking distance (albeit beautiful walk along the river) from the sights, and therefore you will need to take a bus or taxi to the center, unless you like very long walks.

Posted by
3123 posts

I think for that price I would expect proper beds rather than sofa beds.

Posted by
68 posts

I'm cheap. Florence is a city in which, if you're in your hotel room, you're doing something wrong. Those are neat places and if you're flush with cash, have at it. But there are plenty of queen bed / two sofa rooms in the city for a fraction of the cost. My family (two teens, 14 and 16) will be in Florence in a few weeks. We've been before. We're staying three nights in a two bedroom apartment right in the historical core with a queen and two twins for a grand total of just over 500 euro.

If you're looking to be pampered though, and those are the type of places you usually stay at, they are very nice. But it sounds like you are planning most of your time away from the hotel. Go cheap. Maybe it's just me. :)

Posted by
1532 posts

If you prefer spending half the price, you can get to Duomo area with bus #23 or minibus C4 in 10-15 minutes. Do not even think driving.

Posted by
3123 posts

I’ve just looked at a dummy 3 night stay on booking.com for mid-May and found a huge array of choices for 4 adults, so…??
Open their map and really zoom in to get more choices.

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