Florencetostay Apartments

I have stayed in this apartment recently with my husband: we are couple in our late 60s from Sydney, Australia. I very rare write negative reviews, but I feel this information will be useful for future travelers and will help them to make informed decision before the booking process. I have mixed feeling about the apartment. On the plus side: 1. Apartment is centrally located, walking distance from all Florence sightseeing. 2. It is spacious, freshly renovated ( in 2014 ), had 2 good size separate full bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms, decent size living room. Big plus is also separate air conditioning working units in the living room and in each bedrooms: very important during hot summer days; we have been in June and used them every day! 3. It also has working (although, old style) washing machine. One of the bedrooms has small balcony with closing line. 4. Absolutely no traffic noise ( all windows overlooking backyard). There a lot of different kind of noises though ( read negative side). Unfortunately, there were a lot of negative issues in this apartment that prevent us of booking it again: 1. There is NO lift in the apartment and 7 (!!!) flights of stairs to get. (in total, more than at least 80 stairs). We were aware of " no lift " situation, but climbing on seventh floor with heavy luggage.... The manager Deanna made it clear only when we arrived, 2. Deanna, although nice and accommodating person, could not personally help us with lugguage due her personal health issues. I feel it is Manager responsibility to inform clearly on description about amount of steps and organise help with the lugguage if needed at the owner's expenses. I have to add the following: we were aware of her inability to help us prior our arrival, and she offered us full refund, but it was too late to book something else at shot notice. Also, she has been helpful to organise taxi with help on our way to the transfer n station in the end. 3. There was constant noise ( day and night) from neibours at the same house. We stayed 5 nights and 3 nights we could not sleep due to neighbours parties till 2 p,m. This happened due to poor noise insulation in the whole building. And all neibours are from holiday renters. 4. One bathroom ( in main bedroom) is too small and it is not very comfortable to use. 5. Real " no frills" feel in regards to even small extras given from the owner. Everything you need to buy by yourself, no extra toilet papers, no dishwasher and washing machine liquid, nothing in the bathroom. It really looks the owner tries to get maximum from you. I read reviews in trip adviser, depending from whom you are booking ( a lot of different web sites), you can even pay for electricity etc. sepatatelly!!!. I made sure, this was not happened in our case prior the booking. 6. Street itself is convenient, but due to proximity to huge market, you can see not pleasant for the eye pictures with market workers who every day lifting their belongings etc. 7. Unusually strict rules about check in and check out times. Only check in is 15.00 and check out is only 10.00. We arrived by train on 13.30, no one cleaned apartment by the time we arrived at 14.00, and still we had to wait till 15.00. In addition to organising help with the luggage, it was too much. On check out cleaner refused to start one hour later too. The fact they had people straight before and after us is no excuse. This modest flat does not require 5 hours cleaning. Our verdict. This apartment is not suitable for persons with back or other health problems due to no help with lugguage (70 stairs at least to climb), constant noise from the next door during late night, no frills feel and questionable street with market workers just 400 m from the apartment.

Convenient location for centre and market hall. At top of several flights of stone stairs so had to lug suitcase up and then down again when leaving, this was difficult. Nice tratorrias nearby. Apartment itself was average. Had all that was be necessary for the week. Had airconditioning.