Columbus Urban Resort

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first walked up to the Columbus Urban Resort on Lungarno Colombo, I wasn’t expecting much from the outside. The building has this sort of understated elegance that doesn’t scream “luxury hotel,” but once you step inside, you realize that’s exactly the point. This place gets Florence in a way that a lot of the flashier hotels near the Duomo just don’t.

The location is actually brilliant if you know the city at all. You’re right along the Arno, which means you get those gorgeous river views without dealing with the tourist chaos around Ponte Vecchio. The Lungarno del Tempio area is where Florentines actually live and work – there’s a great little market just a few blocks away on Via Sant’Ambrogio that most visitors never find. You can walk to the Uffizi in about fifteen minutes, but honestly, some mornings I just sat on my balcony with coffee watching the rowers practice on the river below. There’s something about the early morning light hitting the water that makes you understand why the Renaissance happened here, you know?

What really sold me on this place was the attention to detail that felt… well, Italian, not international chain hotel trying to be Italian. The staff actually remembered my name after the first day (and I’m terrible with names myself, so I appreciate when others aren’t). The rooms have this perfect balance of modern comfort and historic character – marble bathrooms that actually work properly, which anyone who’s stayed in converted Renaissance palazzos will tell you is not a given. The air conditioning is quiet enough that you can sleep with it on, which in Florence in August is basically a requirement for survival. I mean, the city is stunning, but it gets hot.

The rooftop terrace is where you’ll probably spend your evenings – they’ve got this outdoor setup that feels like you’re at a sophisticated friend’s apartment rather than a hotel restaurant. You can see the Duomo’s dome in the distance, but you’re not craning your neck around other tourists to get the view. The food is solid too, though honestly, with all the incredible restaurants within walking distance, you might find yourself exploring. That said, their breakfast spread actually includes some local pastries from a bakery on Via dei Neri that I’d been buying from all week – those little touches matter.

The only minor thing I’d mention is that the elevator is one of those charming European ones that fits maybe two people comfortably, so if you’re traveling with lots of luggage, plan accordingly. Also, while the location is perfect for exploring, you’re not going to hear much English in the immediate neighborhood, which I personally loved but some travelers might find intimidating.

Bottom line – this feels like the kind of place where you’d stay if you were moving to Florence and needed somewhere elegant to live while apartment hunting. It’s got that lived-in luxury that makes you feel like you’re experiencing the city rather than just visiting it. For the rating it’s got (8.8, which feels about right), you’re getting genuine five-star service without the stuffiness that usually comes with it.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $249. Superior Double or Twin Room with 1 large double bed and 2 single beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $310. Deluxe Double Room with 1 single bed and 1 double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $332. Deluxe Double Room with River View with 1 single bed and 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $432. Suite with River View with 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Overall, it was a good stay with a very clean and spacious hotel. – Mohamadsadegh from Australia – 10 July 2025 (8/10)

  Pool and spa were perfect.
  Very spacious and clean rooms.
  Nice rooftop view for breakfast and some of the rooms facing the river.
  
  What could be improved: Staff were not that much caring. We had a tour and had to leave the hotel very early in the mooring. They gave us a food pack but did not ask our preferences and the pack was not filled in a proper way.

• Excellent – Jose from Chile – 9 July 2025 (9/10)

  Its perfect all the things
  
  What could be improved: The location and theres no parking

• Exceptional – Daria from Cyprus – 7 July 2025 (10/10)

  Very good hotel, all new , fresh, breakfast all fresh and good . Thank you for nice service!

• Fantastic and comfy – Dr from Saudi Arabia – 4 July 2025 (10/10)

  Everything from design, furniture, staff, facilities, location.. definitely, i will come again & again
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Perfect! – Rita from Portugal – 28 June 2025 (10/10)

  The kindest staff, amazing decor and breakfast. We will definitely come back!

• A nicely maintained property. – Daniel from India – 21 June 2025 (9/10)

  Breakfast was decent.
  
  Location was a bit far from the city centre but we liked it.
  
  What could be improved: The options for dinner could be better.

• Exceptional – Alsudais from Saudi Arabia – 24 May 2025 (10/10)

  Fantastic and helpful staff and wonderful hotel, I’m sure you will like it.

• Good for a couple in a honeymoon – Ahmed from Saudi Arabia – 15 May 2025 (10/10)

  Space , clean
  
  What could be improved: Parking ,far from center

• Quiet Comfort with Truly Caring Staff – Ping from Netherlands – 5 May 2025 (10/10)

  Everything about this hotel was just right for us. We loved the comfort, the excellent breakfast, and the peaceful atmosphere. The shower was hands down the best we experienced during our entire stay in Tuscany. Although the hotel is located on the outskirts of Florence, the surrounding neighborhood is quiet and full of great restaurants — and it’s a very pleasant walk to the city center. Most importantly, the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. Special thanks to Massimo, Michella, and Francesco, who truly went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. We’ll definitely choose this hotel again for our next trip to Florence!
  
  What could be improved: Nothing.

• Very modern hotel yet with some room to improve – Alexandre from Switzerland – 24 April 2025 (8/10)

  It is a very modern hotel and with a lot of good taste from a design and decoration perspective! The spa albeit small is very nice to unwind from the crazy crowds of Florence
  
  What could be improved: We have had mixed experiences with the staff: we were very well received when we arrived but the odour in the hotel was not the best at that time (there was a strong sweat smell). We went into the allocated room on the 3rd floor and realized it was quite noisy given the road in front. We then ended up opting to pay a very decent amount for an upgrade to a suite on the last floor which was then a fantastic room and much more protected (not fully still) from the noise. We highly recommend taking the suite when booking and requesting a higher floor.
  
  The staff at breakfast were generally not very useful and the breakfast options were in our view quite limited for a 5* hotel.
  
  As for the location: this is definitely not the shiniest part of Florence, rather a residencial area with a big road in front (and not such a nice part by the river). However we did find that not being too much in the center was in the end a good thing given how insanely busy Florence was. It was still a 35-40 mins walk every time we want to go to the very center (or a 15-20eur taxi, hard to get) yet we found that in the end preferable over staying accommodated in the center.
  
  Lastly, parking in Florence is chaotic. The hotel provides an option for €45 per night (!) and I must admit that parking around while possible (still to be paid, for a lower fee) is not easy. Parking in Florence is overall a nightmare

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities