Piccolo Borgo Antico

Hotel Description

So I stumbled across Piccolo Borgo Antico during one of those wandering Florence afternoons when you’re honestly just trying to escape the Ponte Vecchio crowds, and let me tell you – this little gem on Borgo San Jacopo is exactly what you’d hope to find tucked away in the Oltrarno district. The name literally means “little ancient village,” which sounds cheesy until you actually walk through the entrance and realize they’re not kidding around. The building itself has this weathered stone facade that’s probably been watching Florentines cross the Arno for centuries, and there’s something genuinely satisfying about staying somewhere that feels like it grew out of the neighborhood rather than being dropped into it.

What really got me was how the staff seemed to actually know the area – not just the tourist spots, but like, where to grab decent coffee at 7 AM (Bar Ricchi around the corner, by the way) and which nights the Santo Spirito square gets too rowdy for early sleepers. The rooms have this interesting balance where they’ve clearly been updated with proper bathrooms and WiFi that actually works, but they didn’t strip away all the character in the process. I mean, you’ll still hear the occasional scooter buzzing past in the morning, but honestly? That’s just Florence being Florence. The beds are comfortable enough that I didn’t wake up feeling like I’d been wrestling with medieval torture devices, which – let’s be real – has happened in some of these historic places.

Here’s what I appreciated most: you’re literally a three-minute walk from the Pitti Palace, but you’re also in the heart of what locals call “the real Florence.” The Santo Spirito area has this lived-in feeling where you’ll see actual Florentines walking their dogs and arguing with shopkeepers about the price of tomatoes. There’s a fantastic little trattoria called Il Santo Bevitore just down the street that somehow doesn’t appear in every guidebook, and the morning light hitting the Arno from this side of the river is honestly spectacular. The hotel’s location means you can easily walk to all the major sights – the Uffizi is maybe ten minutes if you don’t get distracted by street artists on the Ponte Vecchio – but you get to come home to a neighborhood that feels authentically Tuscan rather than like a theme park. Fair warning though: the streets can get pretty quiet after 10 PM, which is either perfect for a peaceful night’s sleep or slightly eerie depending on your perspective. But that 8.6 rating makes sense when you factor in the genuine warmth of the place and how it manages to feel both historic and livable at the same time.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $106. Deluxe Double Room with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $121. Deluxe Double Room with Balcony with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $126. Superior Apartment with Balcony with 1 extra-large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $137. Superior Apartment with 1 extra-large double bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Exceptional – Rebecca from United Kingdom – 10 July 2025 (10/10)

  Very central location, really appreciated the air conditioning in July heat, helpful host, everything we needed

• Clean and comfortable in a brilliant location. Great value for money. – Andrew from Australia – 9 July 2025 (10/10)

  The location is hard to beat, being a 1 minute walk to the Ponte Vecchio. Easy checkin & checkout and communication was prompt and helpful at all times. The little terrace overlooking the street is a great spot to have a coffee!

• Exceptional – Rachael from Australia – 1 July 2025 (10/10)

  Lovely host, very attentive and communication is 10/10. Good location and very comfortable!
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Very good – Katie from Australia – 30 June 2025 (8/10)

  Great location, clean and tidy.
  
  What could be improved: Is is loud! Poorly insulated from street noise that whenever a car / truck went down the street it was like an earthquake!

• Exceptional – Anak from Croatia – 28 June 2025 (10/10)

  Perfect, good communication with the host, easy check in, great location. Clean and new.

• Will be returning on my next trip to Florence – Dario from United Kingdom – 23 June 2025 (9/10)

  Excellent location, the room was large size and clean and the remote check in progress smooth and efficient – will return
  
  What could be improved: n/a

• Excellent! – Cynthia from United States – 15 June 2025 (10/10)

  Location was perfect! Easy walk from the train station!

• Exceptional – Orlando from Italy – 14 June 2025 (10/10)

  Everything. The room was clean, modern, spacious, in the VERY center of the city. It was close to restaurants and grocery stores and even had a mini balcony!
  
  What could be improved: I had some issues with the induction stoves: two out of the four present were actually fake, and you couldn't really use the other two at the same time without the power switch flipping up. There's nothing super wrong with that, I just wish my host had given me a heads up before!! But other than this very minor thing, my stay was great.

• Thank you for being responsive and available! Alla prossima! – Kendrick from United States – 5 June 2025 (9/10)

  Location, we prefer the Oltrarno. Close to supermarket.
  
  What could be improved: Borgo San Iacopo can be noisy.

• Exceptional – Jodie from Australia – 8 May 2025 (10/10)

  Excellent location. Easy check in.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities