Florence: Want a central located hotel withOUT noise

I have stayed in three places in Florence, all different locations, and have read a lot of reviews for our upcoming trip in a few weeks. Florence is a happening place and if you want something central you will probably have to deal with noise. Almost every hotel reviewed had some complaint whether its noise from crowds, trains, or 6am trash collectors. Sorry.

You may be asking for a lot. That said, perhaps a good idea for you would be to find places that appeal to you and ask if they have rooms facing the back, or facing a courtyard or garden? Not in Florence, but I stayed in hotels on very busy streets in other European cities and when I've asked for a quiet or back-facing room, it's always been fine. Also, a lot of hotels advertise on their websites that they're "soundproofed" but I don't know if that actually helps that much, and I doubt you'd find that in a hostel or "cheap" hotel.

Or you could do what I've done since I had a loud nocturnal roommate in college - sleep with earplugs :) Good luck!

Bring a pair of earplugs. Most buildings in Italy were built at least 100 year ago - that means without the insulation and soundproofing of modern building. Trust me, you'll be so busy during the day you'll sleep like a baby wherever you are.

Hotel Cestelli. I'm going back.
Read reviews on tripadvisor.com
Budget prices, but not cheap like a hostel.

It's quiet for Florence. No a/c. We don't travel during peak season so a/c and mosquitos aren't a concern for us.

Thanks everyone!!!

I agree with Melissa.

We stayed at Hotel Aldobrandini (one of Rick's recommendations, bathrooms pictured on one of his shows) and didn't like it at all. It was noisy both from inside and out, had threadbare towls, worn out beds, funky toilet-shower combos (I'd rather use a decent bathroom down the hall), and cigarette smoke from the owners billowing under our door. It was also one of the most expensive places we stayed on our trip.

We talked to other tourists from various countries and got similar reports from them.

If I had to do it again, I would stay outside of town at a place that had decent public transport into the center.

Florence has a lot of must sees. Now that we've been, the poor and expensive lodging choices and so-so food are reasons we'll probably skip it in the future.

We stayed at La Contessina in Florence last November. It was wonderful and a good location. Very quiet--off the street. Would highly recommend it. Free breakfast buffet and our FAVORITE restaurant in FLorence was 4 doors down. It is called Nerone's. We ate there 4 times. Food is DELICIOUS, House white wine is EXCELLENT and the prices are very, very reasonable. Even if you don't stay at La Contessina, try to eat dinner at Nerone's while you are in Florence. Have a great time. I hope I can return some day. Susan

For quieter sleeping, leave the windows closed and sleep in a room away from the street. Choose a room on one of the higher floors for less noise within the hotel. Ask for "tranquil" or courtyard rooms. I stayed at the Enza hotel without noise problems.

After reaching 60, I have a harder time with sleeping in noisy rooms plus harder time getting over jetlag. So I'm staying in Fiesole which is 20 minute by bus from town. Can let you know more after getting back June 7.

I second the idea of earplugs and air conditioning. The AC will allow you to keep the windows closed at night, which makes a huge difference with the noise, in case you can't find a quiet place.

Sarah - my wife and I stayed at Soggiorno Battistero - we opened our window and looked right out on the Baptistry and the Duomo. Great location - couldn't be more central! The rooms were modern and the windows were double-paned. Noise was not a problem. The off-season rate was under $100.

Thanks Everyone for your comments!! I looked into your suggestions...And yes, I will bring earplugs. Anyone stayed at Hotel Monica or a place near Pitti Palace, called Soggiorno Pitti? It'll be great wherever we stay.

Last year we spent 2 nights in Florence right after arriving. We spent those nights at the convent that Rick recommends (I'll check my book upstairs and re-post). It was extremely quiet, 2 blocks from the Duomo and was so clean you could eat off the floors. The breakfast was a little sparse, but the nuns couldn't be nicer. My husband and I had an en-suite bathroom and my mom in a separate room didn't but it was all very nice. It was a little spartan (no TV, no phone connection, no internet connection), but it was a wonderful experience.

Like I said, I'll check my book from last year and re-post. If you want a little something different, I recommend the nuns. They were wonderful hosts. There was also a fabulous restaurant on their little side street that had delicious food and a complimentary glass of Prosecco to start the meal. Yummy!!

From May13 to 16 we stayed at Hotel Colomba. Wonderful hotel, not noisy at all. 5 min walk to Accademia or Duomo. At most 10 min to Uffizi. very close to <mercato central as well.

Sarah, I stay across the river. Not far to walk, quiet, and often with a better view. Can't help with hotel names as I have used an apartment, and a convent.

Sarah, ditto on Dale's recommendation of the Soggiorno Battistero. Quiet, central location (located in what was a 14th Century palazzo), with a great view of the Piazza di San Giovanni, Duomo and Baptistry. A great breakfast served in your room is included in the price.

Sarah,

I just wanted to offer another comment on Hotels in Florence. I've stayed at Hotel Aldobrandini in the past, and had a very enjoyable stay! It's in a great location within easy walking distance from the rail station, in a secure building, easy to walk to most of the sights and the owner/manager (Ignazio as I recall) was wonderful and very helpful with Museum reservations, restaurant suggestions, etc.

My experience was quite different than that described in a previous post on this Thread. I didn't experience any of the same problems. My (single) room had a shower, but the WC was down the hall (somewhat of a "typical" RS lodging in that regard, although most of the places recommended now all have ensuite facilities).

My room didn't have A/C, and I don't remember mosquitoes being a problem.

Happy travels!

I was in Florence last week, and stayed at the Residenza il Villino. The location was perfect, just a ten minute walk to the Duomo and many other sites. They have a wonderful courtyard which was nice to nice to sit in and either eat breakfast or relax after a long day of walking. It was very quiet, and Sergio and Elizabetta (the owners) are the BEST hosts. The Residenza is one of Rick Steves' recommendations.

Just returned, and we stayed at Hotel Dali, less than 2 blocks from the Duomo and super centrally located. I would recommend rooms 1 or 7 at 80 Euros/night. Each is on the courtyard, has own bathroom. We stayed in room 6 with a shared bath, and it was fine, but I would request either of the above rooms for an excellent stay. Has elevator as well. No a/c but ceiling fans and mini-fridge in each room, I believe.

Did a great deal of research on this one last week.
Apartment, Hotels --- pretty much all of it. Apartments don't make sense for two people: GREAT SENSE FOR 4 OR MORE.

Ended up booking with Pensione Maxim just as suggested by RS. This is by exhausting alternatives and coming back to a RS suggested Hotel. In notes, during booking, you can ask for a Courtyard facing room. The street rooms are double paned glass. And its a pedestrian street. Deep discounts right now, so you can't go by what is printed in the book.

I've become an advocate of the Conti-Breakfast and close in lodging.

It does four things:

1. It forces you out of bed early.
   You meet other travelers and can exchange what you and they are doing. You meet fellow travelers at the same place and time over several days.

2. I and my wife need our coffee, with out any fuss to get started and plan our day with out being rushed.

3. Some Conti-breakfasts are better than others. This one has good reviews. Conti-breakfasts save money and are reliable. And you can always have breakfast somewhere else.

4. In Close to everything so that a nap time is just minutes away at any point. Or you can drop stuff off.

This is the beauty of being in the center of Florence.

I'll second the suggestion of a courtyard facing room at the Dali. We were just there yet again in Mid May and had a lovely stay. Comfy beds, clean, ceiling fans and a great mini fridge in each room. Rick Steves actually came by to check it out while we were staying there! We paid 65 euro for a double with shared bath #5--- our friends paid 80 for a room with private bath #1. It's a few blocks from the Duomo, with markets, restaurants cafes and a coin laundy nearby. You need to make sure to ask for a QUIET courtyard room. Florence has mosquitos in the summer. The Dali has a little thing to plug in that keeps them away, but I'd recommend getting some sort of insect repellant regardless of which hotel you choose. The convent mentioned earlier is probably the Oblate Sisters of the Assumption which is around the corner from the Dali on Borgo Pinti. A double as I recall is 80 euro without breakfast. Casa Nome Jesu on the Oltrarno side is another convent that is quiet and lovely I believe they run about 70 euro for a double with breakfast and an external private bath.