Palazzo Montebello

Hotel Description

So I stumbled across Palazzo Montebello while wandering down Via Garibaldi – you know, that stretch just off the main tourist drag where locals actually eat dinner. Honestly, I almost walked past it because the entrance is pretty understated for what turns out to be this gorgeous 4-star gem tucked right in the heart of Santa Maria Novella. The facade has that weathered Florentine elegance that makes you wonder what stories these walls could tell, and when you step inside… well, it’s like someone’s wealthy Tuscan aunt decided to turn her family palazzo into a hotel but kept all the good stuff.

The thing that struck me immediately was how quiet it is despite being maybe a three-minute walk from the train station (which, let’s be real, is incredibly handy when you’re dragging luggage through cobblestone streets). The rooms have this perfect balance – they’ve modernized everything you actually need (the Wi-Fi doesn’t make you want to throw your phone, the shower pressure is legitimately excellent) while keeping those details that remind you you’re sleeping in a 16th-century building. I mean, the ceilings in some rooms are these incredible frescoed affairs, and the windows – massive things that actually open, imagine that – look out over either the internal courtyard or the street where you can watch the morning ritual of shopkeepers hosing down their storefronts. The breakfast spread is what I’d call “thoughtfully Italian” – fresh pastries from the bakery around the corner, proper espresso, and none of that sad hotel continental stuff that tastes like cardboard.

What really won me over though was the staff’s approach to recommendations. Instead of handing you a generic tourist map, they’ll tell you that the best gelato is actually at Vivoli (about a 10-minute walk toward Santa Croce), or that if you want to see the Duomo without the crowds, go at 7 AM when the light hits the facade just right. The concierge – this lovely woman named Elena – actually drew me a little map showing how to cut through the side streets to avoid the tourist bottleneck near the Uffizi. And parking? Well, it’s Florence, so street parking is basically a myth, but they’ve got a deal with a garage about two blocks away that won’t completely bankrupt you. The neighborhood itself is perfect for that whole “living like a local” thing – there’s a fantastic wine bar called Il Santino literally around the corner, and the morning produce market in the nearby piazza is where you’ll find the best peaches of your life come summer. I stayed there in both busy season and during the quieter months, and honestly, the 9.2 rating makes complete sense – it’s the kind of place that manages to feel both special and comfortable, which is harder to pull off than you’d think.

Rooms

• Small Single Room with 1 single bed for 1 adult
• Junior Suite with 1 sofa bed and 1 large double bed for 3 adults, 1 child
• Deluxe Double Room with 1 large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Suite with 1 sofa bed and 1 large double bed for 3 adults, 1 child
• Deluxe Double or Twin Room with Balcony with 1 large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Double or Twin Room with 1 large double bed and 2 single beds for 2 adults
• Double or Twin Room with View with 1 double bed and 2 single beds for 2 adults, 1 child
• Large Double or Twin Room with 1 double bed and 2 single beds for 2 adults, 1 child

Reviews

• Viktoriia from Italy (10/10)

  The hotel has been recently renovated so everything is new and clean. Employees are professionals, so is the manager. Location is great as the street is quiet but super close to the station and 15 min walking to the central part of the city.

• Maher from Qatar (8/10)

  Nice design, spacious room and bathroom, modern equipment, reasonable distance to the main train station.

• Nada from Kuwait (10/10)

  Beautifully structured , perfect location

• Joanne from Australia (10/10)

  Loved this hotel. Room was spacious, clean and bed was super comfortable. Great bar and breakfast was good too. Loved the decor and the layout of the hotel – so relaxing.

• Dany from United States (10/10)

  Newly renovated, very spacious modern clean.,very comfortable bed/pillows.

• Sally from United Kingdom (8/10)

  Quiet location, garden and terrace

• Attar from Oman (8/10)

  The hotel offers a perfect blend of modern elegance and comfort with its beautifully designed interiors. The cleanliness is outstanding, with every corner spotless. The property is spacious, allowing for a relaxed experience, and the parking facility is convenient and secure, making it easy for guests with cars. A highly recommended stay and the staff was very helpful and welcoming.

• Baćović from Serbia (8/10)

  Room, location, stuff…everything was grate.

• Taejo from South Korea (9/10)

  The property is very nice and clean. In the afternoon, the lobby offers pure and sparkling water, which is a thoughtful and refreshing amenity to enjoy when returning to the hotel.

• Won from United States (9/10)

  Clean and modernized. The staff was a very courteous and willing to help anyway possible.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities