Palazzo Alfani – Residenza d’Epoca

Palazzo Alfani – Residenza d’Epoca Overview

You know what struck me first about Palazzo Alfani? Walking up Via Ricasoli, you’re literally minutes from the Duomo but somehow the street feels refreshingly calm – I mean, this is the same road that leads straight to the Accademia (where Michelangelo’s David lives), so you’d expect total chaos, but it’s actually quite peaceful here. The palazzo itself sits in this perfect sweet spot where you’re close enough to everything that matters but far enough from the main tourist drag that you can actually think.

The building is one of those converted historic residences that Florence does so well – they’ve kept all the character but actually made it comfortable for modern travelers. The rooms have these gorgeous high ceilings and original details that remind you you’re staying in a centuries-old palace, but honestly, what I appreciated most was how quiet everything was. Even during peak summer season, the thick walls just seem to absorb all the street noise. Check-in was refreshingly straightforward too – none of that overly formal hotel theater, just friendly people who clearly know the city inside and out. They gave me directions to this little enoteca around the corner that I never would’ve found otherwise.

What really sets this place apart is the location knowledge factor. The staff doesn’t just point you toward the Uffizi – they’ll tell you which entrance to use, what time to avoid the crowds, and which nearby streets have the best gelato (spoiler: it’s not the famous tourist spots). Being in San Marco means you’re walking distance to Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio, which is where actual Florentines shop for food, and the whole Santissima Annunziata area has this lovely residential feel that most visitors completely miss. I found myself wandering these side streets in the early morning with my coffee, watching the city wake up – something you just can’t do when you’re staying near Santa Maria Novella station with all the tour groups. The palazzo manages to feel both authentically Florentine and genuinely comfortable, which is honestly harder to find than you’d think in this city. It’s the kind of place where you remember why you wanted to visit Florence in the first place.

Palazzo Alfani – Residenza d’Epoca Accommodations

Reviews of Palazzo Alfani – Residenza d’Epoca

• Excellent stay. – Jose from United States – 21 June 2025 (9/10)

  Comfortable and spacious, near historic sites.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing. Everything was good

• Wonderful location but needs to be punctual to avoid wait – Guanyi from United States – 9 June 2025 (8/10)

  It's located in the center of Florence, probably one of the best locations. The room had a classic feel, with a view of the Duomo and the partial town, making you feel like you were living in the 16th century. The facilities are new and clean.
  
  What could be improved: Since this is a private host, there isn't a 24-hour front desk. You’ll need to arrive at a relatively punctual time to meet the host and get access to the building, as there’s a code. We didn’t plan for this much details in advance and took our time enjoying the previous sights. I didn’t notice all the messages until arrival, which led to a 20-minute wait. One suggestion is that, since guests have already paid prior to arrival, the host could send the code via message, eliminating the need to meet in person.

• Perfect location , Great owners – Satish from India – 31 May 2025 (9/10)

  Absolute central location, opposite Accademia Museum, its just a perfect location, few minutes to everything.
  
  What could be improved: Room was spacious and better than expected or reviewed online

• Perfect for Florence!! – Thomas from United States – 9 May 2025 (10/10)

  Great location, Huge apartment! Amazing!!
  
  What could be improved: Slow, small Elevator

• Exceptional – V from Romania – 22 April 2025 (10/10)

  Very good location, very kind hospitality. The rooms are amazing and also the entire building, very spacious, very cleaned and quite if you have the doors on the backside of the building. You have the opportunity to stay opposite of statue of David from Galleria dell' Accademia di Firenze.

• Superb – Sinijchaya from Thailand – 20 April 2025 (9/10)

  The vibe is so good, clean, calm, comfy and luxurious. I like the kitchen which is well equipped.

• Exceptional – Guilherme from Portugal – 15 April 2025 (10/10)

  Amazing location and friendly host

• Superb – Yong from Singapore – 13 April 2025 (9/10)

  Very spacious and near to tourist locations and the main train station. We appreciated the snacks / breakfast and there were cats in the hotel 🙂
  
  What could be improved: Second bathroom was too small to shower in comfortably.

• Fabulous stay. – Elaine from Ireland – 9 April 2025 (10/10)

  Lovely apartment, spotless. Central, easy walking distance to all main attractions. Hosts excellent.
  Be sure to book room to the rear of property. Very comfortable bed.

• Excellent location, spacious room, and thoughtful hosts! – Lingwei from China – 1 April 2025 (10/10)

  The location is absolutely perfect—just steps away from the Accademia Gallery, practically zero distance! The room is well-designed with functional zones and plenty of space. The kitchen is fully equipped with everything you could need.
  Francesca and Valeria were incredibly welcoming—they communicated with us in advance, waited for our arrival, and provided helpful tips, also great restaurants and bakeries. They also help us with the car parking especially in this ZTL area which is of great help! They truly cared about our experience and even reminded us about arranging room cleaning. The heating worked well, and the hot water was reliable. Overall, a fantastic stay—highly recommend!
  A bonus: there’s an adorable chubby cat in the building!
  
  What could be improved: There was some occasional noise from downstairs one night, but it was manageable and went quiet after 11pm.

Surroundings

Facilities