Hotel Lungarno Vespucci 50

Hotel Lungarno Vespucci 50 Overview

You know what struck me first about Hotel Lungarno Vespucci 50? The address pretty much tells you everything – it’s right there on the Arno riverfront, but not in that touristy crush around Ponte Vecchio. I mean, you’re still walking distance from all the big sites, but you’re actually staying where Florentines live and work. The building itself has that solid, understated elegance that screams “I’ve been here longer than your great-grandmother” – which, honestly, it probably has. When you step inside, there’s this immediate sense of calm that’s hard to find in Florence’s city center. The lobby isn’t trying too hard to impress you with marble everywhere; instead, it feels like a really well-appointed Italian home where someone with excellent taste lives.

The rooms – and I’ve stayed in a few different ones over the years – actually face either the river or the quieter side streets, which makes a huge difference for sleep. Florence can get surprisingly noisy, especially during summer when everyone’s wandering around until midnight, but the Arno-facing rooms have this lovely buffer zone. The morning light coming off the water is something else entirely. What I really appreciate is how they’ve managed to update everything without losing that distinctly Florentine character. The bathrooms are modern (thank god), the AC actually works when it’s sweltering in August, but you’re still sleeping in a space that feels authentically Italian rather than like a generic international hotel room.

Here’s the thing about the location that booking sites won’t tell you – you’re about a ten-minute walk from Santa Maria Novella station, which sounds convenient until you realize you’ll be dragging luggage over cobblestones. But once you’re settled, it’s perfect. You can walk to the Duomo in fifteen minutes, hit the Oltrarno for dinner without needing a taxi, and there’s this fantastic little market on Via Sant’Antonino just around the corner where locals actually shop. The street itself, Lungarno Vespucci, has this wonderful rhythm – busy enough to feel alive but not so chaotic that you can’t enjoy an evening stroll. I’ve noticed they’ve got the service down to an art form too; the staff seems to genuinely know Florence rather than just reciting tourist information, and they’re particularly good at restaurant recommendations that aren’t total tourist traps. With that 8.9 rating, you’re getting exactly what you’d expect from a solid four-star place – nothing flashy or Instagram-obsessed, just really well-executed hospitality in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. It’s the kind of place where you can base yourself for a proper Florence experience without feeling like you’re camping out in a museum.

Hotel Lungarno Vespucci 50 Accommodations

Reviews of Hotel Lungarno Vespucci 50

• Superb – William from United Kingdom – 7 July 2025 (10/10)

  Excellent all round. Service in particular superb
  
  What could be improved: Slight walk out of the main town or from tram stops but not a huge issue

• Exceptional – Gui from Netherlands – 6 July 2025 (10/10)

  Location and all good quality… boutique style

• Exceptional – Peter from United Kingdom – 4 July 2025 (10/10)

  Lovely helpful staff especially given the fact my wife fell ill
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• relaxed and generally fantastic – Gillian from Guernsey – 28 June 2025 (10/10)

  clean, comfortable, staff absolutely delightful
  
  What could be improved: there was nothing I didn’t like!

• High quality accommodation great location also – Martyn from United Arab Emirates – 25 June 2025 (9/10)

  Well appointed room on 2nd floor . Next to the lift shaft but hardly noticed that. Aircon worked fine.
  
  What could be improved: More could have been made of the outside area

• Very good – Gillian from United Kingdom – 20 June 2025 (8/10)

  Warm welcome and amazing service from everyone. Arrived after 11pm and the staff member on duty helped me with my bags, greeted me by name, provided local food options and poured me a delicious glass of wine. +Lovely sunny terrace to use the next day.
  
  What could be improved: I was there for less than 12 hours in total. So can’t really comment on the facilities generally.

• Superb – Frank from United States – 17 June 2025 (9/10)

  On the river and central location

• Fabulous find great value for how fabulous it is – Alison from United Kingdom – 14 June 2025 (10/10)

  Beautiful building amazing roof terrace everyone can use beautiful view close but calm
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Refined elegance away from the bustle of tourism of Florence. Close enough to easily walk, but far enough to completely – Amy from United States – 6 June 2025 (10/10)

  My family has been coming to this historic property for 8 decades. This visit, the first for me since the beautiful renovation, was the experience of a lifetime.
  
  What could be improved: I can’t think of a thing. It is a glorious place. The staff is remarkable.

• A wonderful experience in a wonderful city – Sue from United Kingdom – 12 May 2025 (9/10)

  A beautiful building in a beautiful location on the banks of the Arno – but what makes it special is the staff. They couldn’t have been nicer or more helpful, no matter what we needed.

Surroundings

Facilities