Penthouse Le Terrazze Duomo view

Hotel Description

Look, I’ve stayed in a lot of places in Florence, but this penthouse on Via Sant’Egidio actually made me pause when I walked in. You know that moment when you’re not quite sure if you’re still in a hotel or if you’ve somehow stepped into someone’s incredibly well-appointed apartment? That’s exactly what happened here. The terrace – and I mean, this isn’t just some tiny balcony with two plastic chairs – gives you this sweeping view of the Duomo that honestly makes you understand why people have been coming to Florence for centuries. I found myself having my morning coffee out there every single day, watching the light change on Brunelleschi’s dome while the city slowly woke up below.

What I really appreciated was how they’ve managed to feel both luxurious and livable at the same time. The space is generous (rare for Florence, trust me), and there’s this attention to detail that goes beyond just putting expensive furniture in a room. The kitchen actually works – I mean, you could cook a real meal in there if you wanted to, though honestly, why would you when you’re a three-minute walk from some of the best restaurants in the city? Speaking of location, Via Sant’Egidio is one of those streets that feels authentically Florentine without being touristy. You’re close enough to everything that matters – the Bargello is right there, Santa Croce is around the corner – but far enough from the Via de’ Calzaiuoli crowds that you can actually breathe. The neighborhood has this perfect mix of locals going about their business and visitors who clearly did their homework when choosing where to stay.

I’ll be honest, at first I was a bit skeptical about the 9.8 rating because, well, those numbers can be misleading. But after spending a week there, I get it. It’s not just that everything works perfectly (though it does), or that the design is thoughtful without being showy (though it is). It’s more that the whole experience feels effortless in a way that’s actually pretty rare. The check-in was smooth, the building is quiet at night despite being in the center of things, and there’s this sense that someone who really understands what travelers need – not just what they think they want – put this place together. If you’re the type of person who wants to feel like you’re living in Florence rather than just visiting it, and you don’t mind paying a bit more for that experience, this is exactly the kind of place you should be looking at.

Rooms

• Penthouse Apartment with 1 sofa bed, 2 × 1 large double bed and 1 single bed for 6 adults

Reviews

• Peter from United States (10/10)

  What a wonderful experience right from the beginning. Marianna (the Owner) contaced me the week before we arrived and was an absolute gem. She provided detailed information about parking, accessing the property, the location of the supermarket, nearby restaurants and other things to see and do. Marianna went out of her way to make sure we enjoyed our stay and felt welcome; one evening she made a reservation for us for dinner, and the day we left she called the taxi to ensure we made our train. Overall the apartment was fantastic, and while the view speaks for itself, we loved the fact that it felt like our own home in Florence right in the center of it all.

• Julie from United Kingdom (10/10)

  Excellent location.
  All the facilities one could hope for were there within this delightful apartment.
  Host was incredibly helpful.

• Jeffrey from Australia (10/10)

  Space and comfort

• Keith from United States (10/10)

  Wonderful location and amenities, great layout for family and very helpful, great host

• Peter from Singapore (9/10)

  The reviews are very accurate. This is a special place to stay, with a supremely wonderful location and view. It is an old building, dating from the 19th century, so no stairs. Marianna, our host, was one of the most responsive I’ve ever had. She was wonderful in responding to any issues. Highly recommended.

• Donna from United States (9/10)

• Joan from United States (10/10)

  This was such a wonderful experience. The apartment was better than we expected. It was a large, light, clean, and comfortable space with multiple small terraces . Marianna, the host was so welcoming and warm. She actually carried our bags up 3 flights of stairs for us! Even though we were early to arrive, she made space for us at the apartment so that we could drop off our luggage and even made dinner reservations for us. She was gracious and highly organized. The property is well situated – close to the Duomo as well as markets, a bank, and multiple restaurants. Everything is within easy walking distance. If I return to Florence, I would want to stay here again.

• Liz from United States (9/10)

  Excellent location! And our host Marianna was very attentive – excellent communication about arrival, check-in, things to do.
  Extra touches like additional WiFi routers throughout the apartment, soaps, shampoos, cleaning supplies.

• Alexandre from Switzerland (10/10)

  Everything!!!

• Lori from United States (9/10)

  Apartment was spacious and near Duomo. The view of Duomo from upstairs loft was beautiful. Nice terrace to enjoy.having a Washer was great, but the dryer took hours to dry.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities