Brunelleschi Hotel

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about the Brunelleschi? It’s tucked into this tiny medieval piazza that most tourists walk right past without noticing. I mean, you’re literally steps from the Duomo – I could hear the cathedral bells from my room – but Piazza Santa Elisabetta feels like this secret little pocket that somehow escaped the crowds. The building itself is this fascinating mix where they’ve actually incorporated a 6th-century Byzantine tower and parts of a medieval church into the hotel structure. Honestly, when you’re checking in, you can see these ancient stone walls through glass panels in the lobby floor, which sounds gimmicky but actually works really well.

The rooms have this understated elegance that feels authentically Florentine rather than trying too hard. My room had these beautiful wooden beams and the kind of marble bathroom that makes you want to take a longer shower than necessary. What I really appreciated was the attention to sound – given that you’re in the heart of the historic center, I was expecting street noise, but the windows actually do a great job of muffling everything. Well, except for those church bells, but honestly, waking up to them felt pretty magical. The staff genuinely knows the neighborhood inside and out. When I mentioned wanting to avoid the tourist traps for dinner, the concierge didn’t just hand me a generic list – he actually walked me to the corner and pointed out this little osteria on Via delle Oche that I never would have found otherwise.

Location-wise, you’re spoiled here. The Uffizi is maybe a five-minute walk, and you can cut through these narrow medieval streets that make you feel like you’ve stumbled into a Renaissance painting. But here’s the thing most people don’t realize – being this central means you can actually walk everywhere instead of dealing with Florence’s limited bus routes or the nightmare of driving in the ZTL zones. I loved being able to duck back to the hotel for an afternoon rest (because let’s be real, museum fatigue is real) and then head out again for aperitivo without any planning. The breakfast situation is solid too – they serve it in this gorgeous room with frescoed ceilings, and while it’s not huge, everything feels carefully chosen rather than just thrown together. Fair warning though: if you’re here during peak season, book dinner reservations through them early because their connections in the neighborhood are genuinely helpful, and honestly, trying to secure a table at the good local places on your own can be pretty frustrating.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $410. Classic Double or Twin Room with 1 large double bed and 2 single beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $434. Superior Double Room with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $489. Deluxe Double or Twin Room with 1 single bed, 1 extra-large double bed and 3 single beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $723. Junior Suite Executive with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $947. Deluxe Family Room with 2 extra-large double beds, 2 × 1 sofa bed and 2 single beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $999. Suite with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $1,869. Suite – Split Level with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Great location, beautiful hotel, attentive staff. Felt truly cared for – Andrew from United Kingdom – 12 July 2025 (10/10)

  Historic and well maintained.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing to dislike.

• A perfect place to come back to after a tiring day of sightseeing. – Mary from United States – 5 July 2025 (10/10)

  Staff, bed, linens, LOCATION is close to everything but off on a side street so very quiet. Furniture high quality.
  
  What could be improved: Getting to your room can be quite confusing, having to use 2 elevators, but that wouldn't deter me from staying again or recommending this hotel.

• Excellent hotel. Expensive, but worth it. – Anatoly from United States – 30 June 2025 (10/10)

  Excellent room with a lot of thoughtful features, high ceilings, impeccable service, excellent breakfast. Central location, just a few minutes walk to most tourist attractions. Still, despite its location, the room was very quiet. While expensive, this hotel provides a very good value for your money,
  
  What could be improved: There is one tiny niggle. While the safe in a room is cavernous, it's located at a floor level, so you really have to get down low to use it. Older people may have trouble using it. It seems like a strange ergonomic omission in the otherwise perfect room.

• It located right in the centre of Florence. You pay for the location – David from Belgium – 22 June 2025 (8/10)

  It is the location that we like
  
  What could be improved: It is an old building. To get to our rooms on 3rd floor, we need to take 2 different lifts

• Very good – Julia from United Kingdom – 6 June 2025 (8/10)

  Very good selection at breakfast

• I felt they looked after me extremely well – Karen from United Kingdom – 5 May 2025 (9/10)

  The staff were fantastic, very kind and made me feel cared for. Breakfast was totally worth €20 lots of choice.
  
  What could be improved: Unfortunately for the hotel there is a very noisy bar below some of the rooms that blasted out music until 11.30. The hotel supple ear plugs but I can’t wear them. That’s why I didn’t give full marks for location.

• The highlight of my trip to – Nicholas from United States – 1 May 2025 (10/10)

  The service, the friendliness, the room service, the complimentary water, the secluded location.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing.

• Perfection. – Charlotte from United Kingdom – 16 April 2025 (9/10)

  Absolutely stunning hotel and amazing, central location.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing.

• Great location with good size rooms. We liked that there was a sofa bed and a separate king bed – Anne-marie from United States – 14 April 2025 (10/10)

  Breakfast was good. Location was better
  
  What could be improved: Beds could have been more comfortable

• A lovely hotel in the heart of Florence – Nick from United Kingdom – 14 April 2025 (8/10)

  A great location 5 minutes walk to the major attractions but in a quiet neighbourhood.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities