Hotel Rapallo

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about Hotel Rapallo? It’s tucked away on this quiet side street just off Via Nazionale, which honestly is perfect because you’re close enough to everything but far enough from the tourist chaos. I mean, you’re literally a five-minute walk from Santa Maria Novella station – and I’m talking actual walking time, not that inflated “nearby” nonsense some places claim. The building itself has this understated elegance that feels authentically Florentine without trying too hard. When I walked into the lobby, there was this subtle scent of old wood and fresh flowers, and the staff actually seemed genuinely happy to see guests rather than just going through the motions.

The rooms are what I’d call thoughtfully designed – not huge by American standards, but they use the space really well. The beds are properly comfortable (I’m picky about mattresses), and the bathrooms have this nice mix of classic Italian marble with modern fixtures that actually work. What I really appreciated was the attention to sound – the windows do a solid job blocking out street noise, which matters because Florence can get pretty lively at night. The AC works well too, which trust me, you’ll want during summer months. One thing that caught my attention was how the housekeeping staff seemed to anticipate what you’d need – fresh towels appeared without asking, and they’d adjust the room temperature just right. The breakfast setup is more intimate than a typical hotel buffet, with really good coffee (this is Italy, after all) and pastries that taste like they came from a local bakery rather than some industrial kitchen.

What really sets this place apart is the location knowledge the concierge team has – they pointed me toward this amazing little osteria on Via Sant’Antonino that I never would have found otherwise, and they knew exactly which times to visit the Uffizi to avoid the worst crowds. The whole experience feels less like staying at a hotel and more like having knowledgeable friends who happen to have really nice guest rooms. At a 9.2 rating, it’s clearly doing something right, and honestly, after staying there, I get it. It’s one of those places where everything just works smoothly without feeling sterile or overly polished – you know you’re in Florence, not some generic international hotel that could be anywhere.

Rooms

• Double or Twin Room with 1 large double bed and 2 single beds for 2 adults
• Double or Twin Room with Terrace with 1 large double bed and 2 single beds for 2 adults

Reviews

• Nereen from Malaysia (10/10)

  Superb service , warm hospitality and boutique hotel with 5 star services

• Helen from United Kingdom (10/10)

  Fantastic hotel – staff very helpful. Service impeccable. Would recommend this hotel if you plan to visit Florence.

• Michelle from United Kingdom (9/10)

  Friendly and professional staff. Good variety of breakfast. Location perfect for being near city centre, but in a quiet area. Easy to find from main train station. Hotel kindly upgraded us to a bigger room.

• Paula from United States (10/10)

  Staff was very helpful and welcoming. Food was delicious. Rooms were very clean and comfortable. Attention to details is evident throughout the hotel.

• Laura from United States (10/10)

  Very chic! Beauitful decor and has a terrace which we loved. The owner Lorenzo was so friendly and helpful. Really enjoyed our stay here.

• Tatiana from United Kingdom (10/10)

  Absolutely everything : kind, professional, attentive, helpful staff, super clean hotel, outstanding service, very tasty breakfast and afternoon tea. Thank you so much!

• Michel from United Arab Emirates (10/10)

  Very clean, very kind and very nice

• Hamad from Saudi Arabia (10/10)

  Everything!! From the staff who gave the best hospitality spirit I have seen in Europe specially a young gentleman in the reception called Bryan he helped us choosing the best restaurants in Florence as well as the landmarks all within one day and finishing with the taxi he was amazing amazing amazing! , also the room which was very clean and organised it’s simple yet you can still feel the Italian work done in interiors for real such an amazing place worth it !

• Fernando from United States (10/10)

  Staff was friendly, warm and inviting, room was super clean and well maintained, comfy bed, great breakfasts and lots of amenities. Our only disappointment is we didn't book more days here!

• Susan from United States (9/10)

  The hotel was really lovely, and the bathroom, while small, was very well appointed. You had to step down from the tub/shower to the floor, which might be a little tricky for older people. Rubber non-slip mats should be provided. The breakfast was wonderful, and the lobby comfortable — I would only comment that the location was a little far from the central city. 10 blocks walk from the train station. I like to walk, so this did not really bother me, but sometimes we felt we had to take a taxi back at night.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities