We booked in to the Degli Orafi for a treat on our last night in Italy and upon return to Florence (we kicked off trip with two nights at the Globus Hotel before heading to Lake Trasimeno and San Gimignano)

We had already visited the hotel the week before to ask that they make dinner reservations for us for the night of our stay, they booked us into the best steak restaurant in town (in the end we arrived a little later at the hotel than expected , cancelled our reservation and headed to a place we'd eaten at on our first night)

So to hotel

Reception: Staff helpful, reception not large or very impressive. In fact walking to the lift I thought 'oh no' due to tacky posters on the walls etc.
However upon arrival on our floor we could see it was a bit grander!

Rooms

We had what I imagine was a bog standard double: small perfectly formed, good bathroom, loads of towels and a good supply of toiletries , sewing kit etc - a bit of a rarity in italy.
Only problem with room (apart from no view!) was no power sockets - could only find one in bathroom , not so convenient for charging PC.
Nice touch was the sleepshirts on the bed.


Location - what can I say, everything on door step, including great deli if you need a pack lunch etc.
Top tip - book tickets for the galleries in advance - queues horrific

Hotel roof bar - when I think about my week in italy (a wet week in May) I would not trade the hour spent on the roof bar when we arrived at the hotel , sitting in the last of the days sun, sipping a glass of prosecco and munching on the nibbles provided . The roof terrace is tiny - 5 tables each seating 4 max, but it has views out over the Arno in one direction and views of the town hall, doumo and hills in the other. Priceless

Likewise our nightcap on the roof terrace was picture perfect too, and surprisingly only 2 other tables taken.

On the day of our departure we were scheduled to get a 4pm train so had breakfast in the amazing breakfast room, it was really nice, although not quite the 'american breakfast' i'd been expecting - I wanted pancakes and waffles! but a great start to the day for us. We then went for a walk across the river and up to the Piazzele Michelangiolo as had missed that when we arrived due to bad weather. We then decided to return to the hotel, used our vouchers for the free drink at the roof top bar (you must put drinks on your room - no cash, so once you've checked out not supposed to go back up!) and soaked up our final views of florence before heading away.

Overall, the hotel, well the views, were worth every penny and it did feel like a real treat, however important to bear in mind you are paying through the nose for the location and views (which are perfect) our bog standard room was clean and comfy but not super luxurious.

BAd point _ we had room 107 which is very close to the breakfast room - even closer to the kitchen - which meant being woken up very early with the sounds of the preparation etc luckily we wanted to wake early but maybe not that early.. something to consider.

Overall a night at the defli orafi should be something everyone does in florence - even if it means living 'cheap style' for the day -eating pizza on the go , and avoiding the boutiques.
The peace and the views from that roof terrace were to die for, not to mention the jealous looks from all the people walking along when you walk into the hotel!

We chose this hotel after spending (too) many hours looking for options. The reason for the stay was a surprise break for my mother's 70th birthday. The whole experience was excellent. Our room was a standard double on the side of the hotel but we asked for, and were given, a complimentary upgrade, for the old lady who got a junior suite overlooking the Arno. There was also complimentary 'champagne' in her room on the day of her birthday.

The reception staff could not have done more to be helpful, although we arranged tours etc. via the booking website. The restaurants they recommended were all very good (but don't bother with the trattoria just up the road - which they did not recommend).

The rooms were clean and comfortable with linen/towels changed daily with similarly regular re-stocking of the minibar. Breakfast was extensive and the breakfast room very impressive.

I travel regularly for business and, while not in the super-luxury bracket, this hotel more than served its purpose and we would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone wanting comfort and convenience.

Pros: location, location, location.
Cons: lift broke down for a day (but there are two) and the beds are a little firm. The bar has a great view but is quite expensive. Lack of a restaurant can be irritating but the bar does snacks.

But for the price and location, it takes some beating. Do yourself a favour and stay there. You are unlikely to be disappointed unless you are unreasonably demanding, in which case you should pay (a lot) more and stay somewhere else. Any reasonable person will love this hotel.

I stayed here as the third of five hotels in a trip to Italy on honeymoon. It was by far the best hotel experience I have had and it was all in the small things, from the way the staff fussed over us without managing to intrude, to the quality of the rooms the breakfasts, roof bar, the price of drinks, helpfulness of everyone. The room, including its size, was just amazing and was serviced twice a day, once to clean it and second to get it ready fro you at night. The bathroom was four times the size of my previous hotel. The hotel is 75m from the Ponte Vecchio and is on the middle of everything you need to wander and see, literally 100m from everything. The main Piazzas have all manner and prices and the there is street entertainment that gathers huge crowds and is terrific. I loved Florence and the hotel did nothing but enhance every aspect of my stay.

Had two rooms (familiy of 4) which were across hall from each other. We were on second floor, never heard much noise from other rooms. I'd say this is a 4 star hotel...staff very helpful in getting us cabs to train station (when it was time to leave), tickets to Uffizzi (we were off season, so we weren't worried about availability), dinner reservations. Staff's english very good. The included breakfast in the morning was delicious...cappuccino was suberb, but then again, rarely do you get a bad meal in Italy. There was tons of food and we could linger as long as we wanted at breakfast. Rooms were of normal size, warm (we could regulate the heat), quiet (we did not overlook the Arno which was fine with us) and the place was very clean. Heated towel rack in bathroom, soaps, shampoo, plenty of towels. No bathtub, but we didn't need one. Shower stall small but fine for us. If you are large, the shower will not fit. Size of bathrooms quite different between two rooms, but even smaller one adequate (had just sink, no counter space for toiletries.) Hairdryer in rooms. Carpet in rooms (which was important to me.) Hallways bright and cheery. Doorbells on rooms I think but not sure. Privacy light exists on rooms, so that when you ask to not be disturbed, a red light illuminates outside door. High tech locks with computer card that must be put in slot in room to keep lights on. TV had a few english stations (we were there during Primary season and were eager for election results.) Location perfect...could walk everywhere quickly and easily and not feel overwhelmed by noise (but then again, it was February and compared to summer, city was VERY VERY quiet.) Loved being next door to Uffizzi. I would stay here again absolutely.