Hilton Garden Inn Florence Novoli

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first saw the Hilton Garden Inn Florence Novoli on Via Sandro Pertini, I wasn’t expecting much. The Novoli district isn’t exactly what you picture when you think “romantic Florence,” but you know what? Sometimes being wrong feels pretty good. This place actually gets it right in ways that surprised me.

The thing about staying here is that you’re in this sort of sweet spot between authentic Florentine life and tourist convenience. The Novoli area has this residential energy – you’ll hear actual Italian families going about their day, kids playing in the courtyard areas nearby, that kind of thing. It’s maybe a 15-minute tram ride to the historic center (the T1 line stops practically at your doorstep), but honestly, I found myself enjoying the walk along Via Guidoni when the weather was nice. Takes about 25 minutes if you’re not in a rush, and you pass through neighborhoods where locals actually live and work.

What really won me over was how the hotel handles the details that matter when you’re actually staying somewhere for more than just crashing. The rooms have this clean, uncluttered feel – not sterile, just… purposeful, I guess? The beds are genuinely comfortable (I’m picky about mattresses), and the blackout curtains actually work, which is crucial if you’re dealing with jet lag. The staff at check-in knew enough English to handle everything smoothly, but I appreciated that they’d switch to Italian when helping local guests – it felt authentic rather than performative. Parking is included, which is huge if you’re driving in Florence – trust me, you don’t want to deal with finding street parking in the city center.

The breakfast setup is solid without being fancy. Fresh pastries, decent coffee (though if you’re a serious espresso person, there’s a great little bar called Caffè Centrale about two blocks away that locals frequent). I mean, it’s not going to revolutionize your morning, but it gets you fed and caffeinated without the chaos you’d find at some of the more touristy hotels. The evening vibe is pretty relaxed – there’s a bar area where you might catch a few business travelers unwinding, but it’s not loud or crowded.

Here’s what I think makes this place work: it’s positioned for people who want to experience Florence but don’t need to be in the thick of tourist central 24/7. The San Donato area has some genuinely good restaurants within walking distance – there’s this trattoria called Il Convivio that serves incredible ribollita and doesn’t have a single tourist menu in sight. The university district energy keeps things feeling alive without being overwhelming.

The 8.6 rating makes sense to me because this isn’t trying to be something it’s not. It’s a well-run hotel that handles the fundamentals really well – comfortable rooms, reliable service, good connections to the city – without charging you for marble bathrooms or lobby chandeliers you’ll never use. If you’re planning to spend your days wandering the Uffizi and your evenings exploring actual Florentine neighborhoods, this place gives you a solid base without the premium you’d pay closer to the Duomo.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $143. King Room with 1 extra-large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $143. Twin Room with 2 single beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $153. King Room with Park View with 1 extra-large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $163. Deluxe King Room with 1 extra-large double bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• This was our first night in Italy before we picked up our car and drove to Panzano. All of the staff were warm, welcomin – Frank from United States – 6 July 2025 (10/10)

  Great location. Wonderful staff.

• Superb – Anita from United States – 21 June 2025 (9/10)

  Very convenient to the airport
  Nice outdoor patio

• The bar area and restaurant were great value, and comfortable! – Pamela from United States – 4 June 2025 (10/10)

  Great location, very clean and comfortable.

• Great stay at great location – Culver from United States – 29 April 2025 (9/10)

  The location was perfect after a long flight. The front staff were very polite and helpful, we had a late dinner in the hotel and it was surprisingly good and reasonably priced
  
  What could be improved: The parking garage was very handy but difficult to find at night it could have been better marked.

• Exceptional – Daniel from United Arab Emirates – 21 March 2025 (10/10)

  Room, staff and services

• My expectations were more than exceeded! Bravo! – Bennett from United States – 7 January 2025 (10/10)

  I was more than satisfied with the hotel and its excellent staff. I was just staying overnight to catch a morning flight, and very pleased with the comfort of my room and the excellent breakfast buffet. Staff was terrific!

• Superb – Ahmet from Switzerland – 3 November 2024 (9/10)

  Location, stuff, rooms are great.
  
  What could be improved: Never go to the restaurant. I paid for a beef burger 30euros. It was the worst burger i have ever eat. Not joking. Bread was cold.. Coffee machines are not good as well. French fries were good.

• Exceptional – Linda from Hungary – 2 November 2024 (10/10)

  Great location, clean rooms, delicious breakfast.

• All in all an excellent stay – Rahul from India – 21 October 2024 (10/10)

  The property provides excellent services. The rooms are spacious and well lighted. The staff is courteous and efficient. The breakfast is on the lavish side though repetitive. The location is reasonable

• Superb – Ioseb from Georgia – 24 September 2024 (9/10)

  Everything is fine,, own parking, normal prices in bar and restaurant
  
  What could be improved: Little far from center, but you can reach it with tramway

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities