Penthouse Le Terrazze Duomo view

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.