Best Western Plus CHC Florence

You know what? I wasn’t expecting much when I pulled up to this Best Western Plus on Via Francesco Baracca – I mean, it’s tucked away in the Novoli area, which honestly most tourists never see. But here’s the thing about this location that actually works in your favor: you’re in a proper Florentine neighborhood where real people live and work, not some tourist bubble. The tram line 2 runs right nearby, and I’m telling you, that little blue tram will get you to the historic center in about 15 minutes. Way better than trying to navigate those impossible parking situations near the Duomo.

The hotel itself surprised me – it’s got this modern, clean-lined feel that’s refreshing after all those overly ornate places in the city center. When I walked into the lobby, there was this nice coffee smell mixing with that particular scent of Italian marble (you’ll know it when you smell it). The staff actually seemed to know what they were talking about when I asked about getting to Oltrarno – they didn’t just hand me a generic map and walk away. My room was on the third floor, and honestly, it was quieter than I expected for being on a main street. The soundproofing must be decent because Via Francesco Baracca can get busy during rush hour with all the commuter traffic heading toward the center.

What I really appreciated was the breakfast setup – and I’m someone who usually skips hotel breakfast because it’s often terrible. But they had proper espresso (not that American drip coffee nonsense), fresh cornetti that were actually flaky, and even some local pecorino cheese. The breakfast room gets morning light that makes you feel like you’re starting the day right, you know? Plus, if you’re planning to explore beyond the usual tourist spots, this area puts you close to some genuinely good local places. There’s this little osteria about two blocks away where I had the best ribollita of my trip – the kind of place you’d never find if you stayed near Santa Maria Novella. The Novoli district is sort of Florence’s up-and-coming area, with the university nearby and young professionals moving in, so you get that authentic energy without the cruise ship crowds. Sure, you won’t stumble out your door and bump into Michelangelo’s David, but honestly? After a long day of sightseeing, coming back to a comfortable, well-run hotel in a real neighborhood felt like the right choice.