Hotels close to SMN train station in Florence

This is a great area to stay in. We have twice stayed at Hotel Cosimo de' Medici. If you book this hotel, make sure that you understand how to get to it. This is in the historic area and there are no big signs allowed.

It depends!
It’s a busy area, traffic wise (both public transit and private cars), it’s not as quaint (it’s more modern, in ancient times it was mostly fields, and later partially destroyed during WW2), and farther from the sights than other spots in the historical center, unless you stay closer to Piazza dell’Unità or Piazza Santa Maria Novella.
So which hotel exactly are you interested in?

Thanks Roberto...I was looking at Hotel Rosso 23, but there are also others that appear to be in the same area. Do you have a recommendation? We would like to stay in the $100-150 price range. We don't mind walking to the sights, but would rather not have to carry our luggage far, which is why the area is appealing to us.

Thanks Colbe, will also check out Hotel Cosimo de Medici!

We don't have any problem with the SMN neighborhood. The piazza itself seems much more welcoming now than the first time I stayed there, 25 years ago. FYI, Rick's book lists three accommodations on Via della Scala, and some of our tour groups stay there, too, at Hotel Palazzo dal Borgo. But over the years, hotel research has focused a couple of blocks closer to the major sightseeing. The distances are actually pretty short.

I don’t know the specific hotels mentioned, but Piazza Santa Maria Novella, where the hotel Rosso 23 is, is a great location. The Piazza is all pedestrianized. Via della Scala is good if you stay near Piazza Santa Maria Novella, on the ZTL side.
Once you reach Piazza Santa Caterina da Siena, you are out of the ZTL so there is a lot of traffic, including noisy city buses turning right on Via della scala from via Santa Caterina da Siena.
The Cosimo de Medici is on Via Nazionale, which is no longer open to private traffic, but is a main bus route. I wouldn’t want a room facing the street.

thank you Laura, apparently I have books from 2016/18 and don't see SMN recommendations, but glad to know the area is ok. RS recommendations have never let me down and we have stayed at several of them.
Robert, I greatly appreciate your input regarding ZTL, as I was actually trying to plot that zone. We would prefer to be in a pedestrian area if possible!

We stayed at Hotel Il Bargellino in March 2015 for 3 nights. Rate was 100 euro. Rick Steves recommended this hotel. About a 5 minute walk from train station. We were very happy with our stay. rooms face a roof top terrace with nice gardens. Room and bathroom was spacious and well appointed. Small refrigerator and coffee pot in room. Carmel Coppola, owner, is very friendly. I highly recommend this hotel.

Hotel Rivoli is nice hotel near the train station and Santa Maria Novella basilica and piazza