Florence Dome Hotel

Funky design touches help make the Florence Dome Hotel a refreshing change of pace in the heart of Florence. This modern budget option has an energetic vibe that's complemented by eye-catching wall art, including deliberately defaced Renaissance sketches and pages from Boccaccio's esteemed literary masterpiece "Il Decamarone" plastered haphazardly to the wall. These are just some examples of the owner’s fun, flippant attitude towards Florence’s revered Renaissance heritage. Unlike some budget establishments, the hotel is pleasantly clean and well-maintained, and although it's a small property with simple features overall, it makes the best use of its assets. Common areas are cozy, freebies like afternoon tea and snacks are offered, and the staff have lots of local recommendations.

The hotel shares the building with its sister hotel, along with a museum, and the building itself is no stranger to history. Its ground-floor bar frequently hosted writers, artists, and political exiles during Italy’s struggle for unification in the 19th century. These days, the property welcomes a variety of guests including couples from Western Europe, South America, and Russia. Kid-friendly facilities, including a play corner, also attract families.  

Florence Dome Hotel shares its ground floor with a museum and is located on Via Cavour, in the center of Florence. The Galleria dell’Accademia is just around the corner, where the original "David" is held. Budget three minutes to arrive there on foot. Via Cavour also leads straight to the Piazza del Duomo with Florence’s famed cathedral, a four-minute walk away. It’s just six minutes on foot to the Mercato di San Lorenzo, where traditional stalls sell local goods and a popular food market is housed. Both high-end shopping on Via de’ Tornabuoni and the stately Uffizi Gallery are roughly a 12-minute walk from the hotel, while the historic Ponte Vecchio is about 13 minutes’ walk. Florence’s airport is a 25-minute drive. 

Rooms at Florence Dome Hotel are simple, but have all of the basic necessities, including en-suite bathrooms, individually controlled air-conditioning and heating, free Wi-Fi, and effective soundproofing in street-facing rooms. A small welcome gift is also provided. Bathrooms are modern, with neutral tiling and standard white ceramic sinks -- all have showers, though some shower cabins are on the small side. The design is in keeping with the rest of the hotel: modern, with quirky touches and an overall gray/neutral color scheme plus red carpeting. Rooms like the Studios (which include kitchenettes) may add historic design features such as wood-beam ceilings that give them a little extra charm. Budget Rooms are smaller, with narrow double beds and small windows -- some face the street and have views to the Duomo. Standard Dome View Rooms are larger, with views to the Duomo and Giotto’s Bell Tower.

Similar to most city hotels, Florence Dome Hotel has limited facilities, but offers plenty of free extras including a welcome drink and snack, as well as free daily afternoon tea with biscuits in winter, and fresh fruit with cold juice in summer. A small but cozy lounge gives guests space to relax, while a kids’ play corner, although basic, is helpful for those traveling with kids. The hotel also provides baby bathtubs, high chairs, cribs, and other toddler amenities on request. The well-presented breakfast buffet is free, and includes gluten-free options, along with fresh fruit and hot items such as boiled and scrambled eggs, bacon, and baked beans. 24-hour reception is convenient for late check-ins, and the hotel provides free Wi-Fi throughout. Paid parking at comparable rates is available at a nearby private garage, which includes valet service in the rate.