On this 2nd trip to Florence after researching and seeing all the good reviews on tripadvisor, we decided to give the Palazzo Magnani a try. I don't like to be negative and I rarely if ever give a negative review because I really research hotels before we book but for us this turned out to be somewhat off.... I think we enjoyed more staying in a deluxe room in a hotel facing the Arno as on our 1st trip.

Pros
The location is convenient yet away from the hustle bustle of the really busy areas. Only a few minutes walk to Ponte Vecchio.
The staff was helpful in getting us transporation to the train station for the next leg of our trip.
The Palazzo itself is a very quiet environment....you rarely see any other guests.
The view from the top floor terrace is great and nice for an evening drink and a few minutes rest before setting out for evening dinnner etc.
There are also some very nice eating places close to the hotel.
The suites as well as the public areas are very spacious and very old world style. Some of the decorations were very interesting while others could seem just old depending on your appreciation for such things.

Cons
I booked and paid for 2 deluxe suites at the Magnani and I'm still not convinced they were both deluxe suites...although they were on the same floor and faced the same street they were very different in size. When I questioned them on this they said they were both deluxe suites and didn't offer anything other comments. I asked if they had any other rooms available to take a look at and they said no not that day but the next day they would and would call us. They never called us or said another word about it to us!
The other annoying things were the tv's in both suites did not work properly and were very erratic (not that we watched alot of tv by any means but we do like to keep up with some news etc.). Also they state that they give you a choice of soap and this was not the case for us (this certainly didn't spoil my trip but it was interesting that they never mentioned it).
The bathrooms we had were very small compared to those pictured on the website although they were nice.
Also I have seen several reviews that the breakfast was outstanding and for us it was okay but nothing special....we've been to many other places in Europe where the breakfast was much more memorable.
We found the staff to be very nice but a little on the standoffish side....I think they feel that it is classier to be discreet but a little more smiling would be just as good and just as classy.

It's hard for me to put my finger on it but we just didn't get a warm feeling from this place.
Having said all this I wouldn't say don't stay here by any means. It is a very nice place especially if you want total privacy. We always stay in very nice hotels and I think for us this was just a miss (you're bound to miss every now and then if you travel enough).
I know this all sounds contrary to what others have said but for us it was just a matter of comparing to other places we've stayed and just a matter of personal taste I guess!

If the price fits your budget . . . do not look any further. This hotel has captured all the service of a large chain hotel, all the comfort of a small bed and breakfast and all the size of a wonderful villa.

Although we had the "budget" room, it was the size of a 2 bedroom apartment, complete with full kitchen and living room. I kept imagining what it would be like to actually live there, as it was so comfy. We were only there for one night, and believe me, I wanted to stay longer!

The negatives . . . the bathroom did not have a tub, we had to carry our luggage up one flight of stairs, and there was a very odd odor that permeated the suite. Our suite also faced the street, so there was noise in the "living area" of the suite.

However, the palace is so delightful and different, that these negatives cannot overshadow the wonderful experience of this hotel. Beautiful public spaces, astounding breakfast area, museum quality paintings and artifacts throughout (including in the suite itself), and courteous, warm, pleasant staff.

We received an excellent recommendations for dinner and although we really did not have a chance to truly enjoy the hotel, the team made every effort to make us feel extremely welcomed. You can tell that this is a well managed hotel, where each team member has a personal investment in it's success. From the GM to each Service Agent, there was geniune pride and enjoyment in their carriage. It was my husband's birthday, and although I briefly mentioned it in a quick conversation, there was extra effort made to acknowledge it, that was not a put on.

I cannot stress enough how DIFFERENT this hotel is. After our stay, we went on to other "famous luxury 5 star accommodations" in other parts of Italy, and they paled by comparison. It was really not fair - like comparing apples to oranges - this hotel is that good.

Generally, I enjoy travel for the locations as well as the accommodations. I try to experience all kinds of places to rest my head, and am constantly on the search for the best spot. In Florence, I have tried some of the best , including the Westin Excelsior and the Grand, and have thoroughly enjoyed them. Although this hotel has a wonderful 360 degree view, I have seen better views from other hotel rooftops in Florence.

But . . . despite the competition, the view, and the negatives, I think I have found my future first choice when in Florence. It offers something unique, a perfect combination of charm, history, location, size and beauty and service to die for!!!! If it is in your budget, don't look any further!!!!

Although we booked using hotels.com, we relied on tripadvisor reviews and were not disappointed. Our three night stay at the palace was outstanding! For this portion of our trip, we were traveling by car. We called in anticipation of our arrival, and the staff kicked into action. We were given easy and accurate directions as well as telephone instructions, so the valet could have the garage door open for us. Annalisa greeted us at the front desk to check us in. Like all the staff, she was courteous and attentive without being overbearing. We stayed in the Matilda suite. All our service was superb making our stay in Firenza one of the highlights of our trip. We strongly recommend this establishment.

We stayed 7 nights at the Palazzo 12/24 to 12/31/07. The description of the hotel that other travelers provided is true. We had the Livia suite, our kids the Guilia suite. The rooms were enormous with 20 foot
ceilings. There was a TV in the bedroom and one in the living room (Sky TV offered English and other language channels) We didn't watch much TV but it was fun to check out Italian game shows and imported American TV with Italian commercials) The rooms looked out on Borgo San Frediano, while not a busy street is like all Florence streets narrow so your view is of the building across the street. Some rooms face a couryard and some face south which has a view. You may want to specify. The housekeeping was good, lots of fluffy huge towels changed twice a day. Bulgari toiletries in 4 oz sizes replenished as needed. Our bathroom was huge, with 2 sinks, toilet and bidet in separate room.The kids bathroom was smaller, but their bedroom was larger. Nice tub and separate small stall shower. Shower pressure was
okay (we like it stronger). On checkin there was bottle of French chamagne in our room and scented soap to choose from.

The rooms are not off a hall but a huge salon where tea and coffee and
ice are replenished several times a day (and sometimes great chocolates are set out.) The elevator is big enough for 3, but is cute
and it being a small hotel, always available. Large bowl of assorted fruit by the elevator, if you need a snack.

Breakfast was nice, fresh fruitcups, wonderful crusty rolls, cheeses, hams, croissants, yogurt, fresh squeezed blood orange juice (among others) Capuccino came decorated with hearts made out of cocoa served by gracious staff with white gloves. (so retro) My son developed a liking for the the pancake (a baked huge pancake) and ate it 7 times. It was 5 euro extra. There were also eggs on the menu, but the rest of us were very happy with the continental offered.

The hotel staff speak good English. They arranged our airport transfers to Pisa which were 175 euros. That seemed like much but the transfer was in nice Mercedes van with a good driver.

There are many outings offered by the hotel for a steep price. We followe the advise of others on the board, booked independently and saved a lot.

The staff booked all our restaurant reservations in advance. I gave a list.

The location of the hotel is great. Though we were there in the winter
the center of Florence was still crowded beyond belief. (We are from New York City and know crowds) This part of the Oltarno is less crowed, maybe a 10 minute walk from the center but has a neighborhood feel. There are great restaurants just down every street and local people shopping in little groceries, pastry shops where they don't speak English but the caffe is under a euro and you sit l with locals not busloads of tourists. (Okay so we're tourists too) The terrace has
a great view, the billiard room is always yours, there is a gym if you have energy after walking all day....

Now the caveat......
The beds are firm. No not just firm, rock hard with a few lumps thrown
in. The comforter is filled with maybe cotton. It is heavy though warm. At first we didn't mind, we like hard beds. But after several nights we were definitely uncomfortable and grouchy.

This was true of beds in both suites. Most hotels pride themselves on their bedding. This was just unacceptable in a place that was billed as 5 star and in all other aspects really is 5 star. Good mattresses, down comforters and down pillows would have put this place over the top. For all we know the linens were Frette but you can't enjoy Frette
when you feel like a Medici lying on a hard tomb. I wrote a letter to the owner as when we left explaining the problem. Maybe if other travelers do the same, they will get the hint.

So overall, a great place for a 2 nights, then better move on. (unless
the beds have been replaced)