Residence La Contessina

Housed in two older Florentine buildings, this family-run hotel comprises a series of apartments and guest rooms. Potted flowers and plants flank the glass front doors that open into the lobby, a compact space with a high ceiling, lots of potted greenery, racks of travel brochures, and colorful paintings and mirrors hanging on the walls. Hallways display photographs and memorabilia, giving the space a homey feel. Style is predictably mid-range, and most travelers will find the decor to be dated. The property is especially appealing to families who appreciate the spacious apartments with kitchen facilities as well as the central location. Guests without children may find the atmosphere a little rambunctious, but the central location is hard to beat. 

The hotel is centrally located on Via Faenza, a lively street next to the Santa Maria Novella train station, which is about a five-minute walk away. Most major attractions are within an easy 10-minute walk, including the Duomo, the Galleria dell'Accademia, and the San Lorenzo Market. The Uffizi Gallery and the Ponte Vecchio bridge will take 15 minutes to reach on foot from here. There are all manner of shops and restaurants in the streets surrounding the hotel, though it is a busy area of town. The Florence Airport is about a 20-minute drive or around 30 minutes away by public transportation.

La Contessina offers both rooms and apartments that can accommodate up to five people. All are spacious and decorated in a typical mid-range style that's ubiquitous for hotels in this category in Florence. Expect to see terra-cotta floors, light wood veneer furniture or darker antique pieces, and mostly traditional Renaissance artwork. Colors vary, but warm oranges and cool blues make up most of the palette. In cases where rooms have couches and chairs for seating, the looked a little saggy when we visited and upholstery is done in old school patterns. Depending on their taste, some guests may find rooms charming, but most will think they are dated. It's worth noting that noise can be an issue here due to thin walls.Some of the apartments have high arched ceilings and loft space that's especially suitable for families with children. Apartments have kitchenettes with stoves and refrigerators plus dining areas, while regular hotel rooms offer mini-fridges and electric kettles for tea or coffee. Other amenities include small flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, free spotty Wi-Fi, and safes. Cribs and high chairs are available for free. Placement of furniture is sometimes a bit unusual. For example, in one unit we visited, a sofa bed is right next to the kitchenette and the microwave sits on a shelf atop a straight-back chair. Bathrooms come with hairdryers, walk-in showers, bidets, and toiletries. Views are of the street or the inner courtyard. 

A free breakfast buffet is served daily in the basement breakfast room, which has an arched ceiling, terra-cotta floor, and antique furniture. The spread is more generous than the typical continental offerings at most Florence hotels, and includes hot dishes like eggs and bacon in addition to the typical breads, cereals, and pastries. A homey communal living area next to the breakfast room features a sofa, loveseat, and chairs for relaxing in front of the TV, reading books, or playing board games provided on the shelves. An antique desk houses a computer that guests can use, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property -- though some complain of poor service. When the weather is nice, the open courtyard is a fine place to relax and is filled with potted plants and flowers. On-site parking is available for a fee, which is unusual in the center of Florence.