Late arrival in Florence, hotel recommendation

You'll first need to contact the Airbnb host to ask whether you can check in at 23:30. Some can accommodate you and some can't, and it's not unusual for there to be an extra fee for late night check-ins. If the host isn't able to met you that late, you might look for a hotel near the apartment that has a 24-hour desk. You could stay at the hotel the first night and then walk to the apartment next day. Personally I wouldn't stay by the airport, as it would be an inconvenient location if you can't check into the apartment until the following afternoon.

Everything Frank wrote is right on the spot.
In the meantime, while you check with the landlord about late check in, post here the address of the Airbnb apartment and I can suggest a hotel nearby. Forget staying near the airport. Although very safe by US standards, it is however not the best neighborhood in the city. Also possibly too far from both your apartment and the sights. If your apartment is near the airport, cancel the reservation. I wouldn’t stay there unless it’s free.

Via Faentina, 143 appartamento, Pian di Mugnone, Toscana 50014, Italy
Is the address of where we will be. Thanks so much for helping me out.

Sir or Madam,
Your apartment is not only far from the city center, but it is not even within the city limits of Florence. It is out of town. Pian di Mugnone is a district within the municipality of Fiesole, about 7 km (4.5 miles) from the city center. To get to town you need to take the bus 21 (bus 21 timetable here)
http://www.ataf.net/it/orari-e-percorsi/orari-e-linee/line-21.aspx?idC=180&idO=0&Linea=21&LN=it-IT
Then once you get at the end of the line on Via Pacinotti (near Viale dei Mille) you have to take another bus to the city center (several choices).

This is the exact location compared to the city of Florence.

This is the entrance of your apartment:
https://goo.gl/maps/7wuhgRXARiv

I wouldn't take that apartment unless you have a car and plan to visit the countryside. To visit Florence I would choose something inside the historical city center, or at least within Florence and very close to the city center.

Roberto brings up a great point. Why so far out? I have looked for apartments in Firenze during May and there are any number of them that rent for between $150 and $250 per night. Being downtown is part of the magic of the city.

I didn't realize it was that far out, the reviews said that it was easy access to the city.
I found another place in Oltrarno neighbourhood, any opinions about that part of the city? Again, I really appreciate your help.

Oltrarno is a wonderful location, quiet in some places, hipper and more fun in others. Look at the location of the rental, then check the surrounding area. I have stayed in the neighborhood near Piazza Santo Spirito and also west of there on Via d'Arligione. Both areas are wonderful.

Oltrarno is great. It’s inside the historical center, yet not as overrun by tourists (although it has been “discovered” lately, so it’s starting to get crowded in some spots).
Post the exact address and I can tell you more. Oltrarno (=beyond the Arno river) is a large area that comprises the 3 districts in the historical center (inside the city walls) located on the southern bank:

Santo Spirito
San Frediano,
San Niccolò.

Santo Spirito is directly south of ponte vecchio. San Niccolò is east of Santo Spirito, San Frediano is west of Santo Spirito.

Via D'Ardiglione 27
Florence, Tuscany 50124
Italy

I can't thank you guys enough for the suggestions, it really relives my anxiety (first time in Europe)

I stayed on Via D'Ardiglione one summer and enjoyed it tremendously. It may have even been the same place. Do you know the name of the landlord? There's a laundromat up the street and beaucoup restaurants and enoteche in the neighborhood. Quiet at night, but two blocks over is party time.

Nice quiet alley, but only 3 minute walk to vibrant Piazza del Carmine (God knows how many drinks I had at “La Dolce Vita” Bar in my youth) or Piazza Santo Spirito, also full of restaurants.
You are in San Frediano, my friend, one of the top coolest neighborhoods in the world, according to Lonely Planet

And yet San Frediano, decades ago, was considered the south Bronx of Florence, where the low classes lived. And now, it’s the playing ground of the yuppies and the tourists. How the world changes!

I am SO excited now. Your suggestions changed everything for us. This is a gift to my son for high school graduation, trip of a lifetime. Thanks for helping make it great...now for the restaurant suggestions 😋

I’Brindellone, near Piazza del Carmine, is one great restaurant. You are close, so you might as well. Trattoria da Sabatino, next to Porta San Frediano, is good and cheap.
Gelateria alla Carraia, some of the best gelati.
Also, not far from your place, on nearby Piazza della Passera, which means Pussy Square (there were several whorehouses there in ancient times) there are some good restaurants.