Oltrarno 1881 Apartments

Hotel Description

I’ll be honest – when I first saw the address on Piazza dei Nerli, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The San Frediano neighborhood is one of those parts of Florence that feels authentically lived-in, you know? Not the touristy centro storico where everyone’s taking selfies with gelato. But walking up to Oltrarno 1881, I realized this might actually be the sweet spot I’d been looking for. The building itself has that weathered Florentine elegance – the kind where you can practically feel the history in the stone walls, but someone’s clearly put serious thought into making it work for modern travelers.

The apartments themselves are… well, they’re what you’d want if you actually lived in Florence for a month instead of just visiting. Real kitchens where you can make coffee the way you like it (not those tiny hotel pod machines), and the beds are genuinely comfortable – I mean, I’ve stayed in plenty of Italian places where the mattress feels like it’s from 1881 too. The whole setup strikes this nice balance between having character and being functional. You’ve got original architectural details but also proper Wi-Fi and heating that actually works in winter. What really got me was how quiet it stays at night, even though you’re right in the heart of things. The piazza absorbs sound differently than the narrow streets – something about the way it’s laid out.

Location-wise, this is where it gets interesting. San Frediano is having a moment right now, but it’s not overrun yet. You’re a five-minute walk from Santo Spirito (where the real aperitivo scene happens), and honestly, crossing the Ponte alla Carraia to get into the city center becomes part of your daily rhythm rather than a trek. There’s this little alimentari right around the corner where the owner will slice prosciutto paper-thin and actually chat with you about where to find the best bread. The whole Oltrarno area just feels more… I guess, livable? You’ll see actual Florentines doing their shopping, not just tourists following Rick Steves guides. And if you’re into artisans and workshops, this side of the river is where the real craftspeople still work. I watched a guy restoring a Renaissance frame in a tiny studio just down the street – you don’t get that kind of serendipity when you’re staying near the Duomo. The 9-star rating makes sense once you realize what they’re going for here: it’s not trying to be the fanciest place in Florence, but it nails this authentic neighborhood experience that most hotels can’t touch.

Rooms

• One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed for 2 adults
• Two-Bedroom Apartment with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 large double bed for 4 adults, 1 child
• Superior Apartment with Steam Bath with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 large double bed for 4 adults, 1 child
• Apartment with Steam Bath with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Apartment with Balcony with 2 × 1 large double bed for 4 adults, 2 children

Reviews

• Judith from United States (9/10)

  very beautiful….modern, like NY type of apartment…Location was ideal

• Tania from United Kingdom (8/10)

  Great Location – walking distance from all areas of interest and lively local area.
  Easy check in and very responsive hosts. Luggage store at Baglioni hotel.
  Nicely decorated

• Braydon from Australia (9/10)

  Great size property in great location. Very clean.

• Emma from Australia (9/10)

  Great location very modern apartment with all the amenities needed

• Hosseini from United States (9/10)

  very clean and modern

• Lori from Canada (9/10)

  Very clean and modern.

• Hardgrove from United States (9/10)

  Location was perfect

• Nicole from United Kingdom (9/10)

  Beautiful apartment in a fantastic location. Definitely will come back. Chiara was super helpful to me too. It really was a special place – we all really loved it.

• S from United Kingdom (9/10)

  The apartment was well appointed and spotless. The apartment has almost everything you could need for a short stay. It was in an excellent location for easy access to all the major visitor attractions. I would highly recommend this apartment.

• Gerrie from United States (9/10)

  Property is well lighted, roomy and super clean. Security to the property is topnotch, 2 secured door using key card is bright idea and makes me feel safer.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities