Hotel Balestri - Florence

The Hotel Balestri was the perfect place for me to stay while visiting my daughter during her semester of study abroad in Florence. The location was ideal, as it was just a few blocks from her apartment (which is a block from the Santa Croce) and a couple of blocks from her school (which is next to the Ufizi Museum and a block from the Ponte Vecchio. […] The Hotel is right on the Arno and I had a lovely balcony with a wonderful view. The breakfast was very large with a wonderful assortment of pastries, fruit and meats and cheeses. The hotel staff was curteous and helpful. For a European three star hotel I give it five stars! Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Close to many Florence attractions. Aloof desk clerks. Had to search for the bar. Definitely didn't feel very welcomed.Wi-fi horrible.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The hotel rooms are FILTHY. There were many layers of gunk on the night stands, the walls were scary filthy. Black marks all over the walls. The staff is exceedingly rude, failing to realize that the patrons of the hotel are the ones who are making their paychecks possible. The wifi that they say they have is inaccessible. Breakfast was ok, but again […] the waitstaff in the dining room was annoyed with your presence. The location is pretty good as far as walking to downtown, but you would have a more enjoyable experience at another hotel Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Clean, comfortable room. Good breakfast included. Excellent location, near all downtown sights. Parking costly, but then a car in Florence is not very useful (too hard to navigate in town unless you are a native) --walking is far preferable.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We have stayed here 5 times and love it as much as the first time. The location puts you within minutes of everything and the views are fabulous. The staff is so helpful and breakfast is a joy. The rooms are spacious and well appointed.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

we booked several rooms, only those on the 5th floor were updated and nice. The lower floors are very outdated and hallways in need of paint etc. Front desk was great and overall a good experience but book one of the few rooms on the top floor.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Everything was positive except the bathtub/shower was quite narrow and slippery. Also some advice for future travelers. If coming from the Santa Maria novella train station to this hotel, don't take the bus. It will take you over an hour with endless stops on a crowded bus with your luggage. We learned this the hard way. It's only a couple of miles […] in a taxi and only cost 12 euros. Well worth it. This is coming from a very frugal traveler. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

Initial room I was offered was spacioua but very unattractive and barebones, desperately needed to be decorated. However, next room was pretty, comfortable, quiet considering location. Hotel was really pleasant,fabulous location , good rates, helpful staff. Would definitely return.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This hotel is in a wonderful location. Don't worry that it seems difficult to get to from the train terminal. The buses can't go through the center of town. Just jump in a taxi and pay about ten euros to get to the front door with two bags in the trunk. You will ride right through the center of the old city. You can walk it in 20 minutes. Once there, […] walking in any direction puts you in front of shops, restaurants, and major sites. It's right near Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio. There are nearby restaurants that are fantastic - tourist friendly without the tourist crowds. It's an old building and it's not perfect. It is a historic city in Italy. Be ready for all the fun of an Italian hotel room. The people are wonderful and the place is secure. I don't believe you could beat this location, either. Be sure to visit Trattoria da Benvenuto up the street. Trattoria Anita is a hidden gem. The brothers who run the place are very cool. The food is fantastic, as well as the service. Angie's Bar, just to the left of Benvenuto is a cool place to hang out for a drink til late. Low on tourists, high on character. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

This hotel was not easy to find, but well worth the trouble. They could not do enough for us and made us feel like very special guests. Other guests we spoke to, said the same. We would recommend this hotel to anybody and we would go back there in a heartbeat. Ten out ten!

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

My stay was ok. The hotel must spend some money in renovation. It is a pity that a hotel with big rooms and soooo close to the Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Uffizzi has so ugly and unconfortable rooms. The sheets and towels were clean but the walls, floors and bedspread looked dirty. The reception area gives a false impression of what is waiting for you […] behind doors. The hallway to the rooms make you think: what am I doing here? If they renovate the rooms and bathroom, I will be back. If not, I will be staying somewhere else... Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The best view of the river, just next to uffizi gallery, walking distance from local market for grocery. Excellant customer service. Sabira at the breakfast place was really nice, my daughter(3 yrs) enjoyed a lot talking to her.

Genuine Expedia guest review

I got the balcony view and thats what made my two days from good to awesome!!would totally stay there again with the balcony view.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Wonderful, helpful staff beautiful room with a great view, within walking distance to many great sights. I would certainly stay here again when I return to Florence.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Great location by the river (great view from our room!). Short walk to major tourist attractions (Uffizi Gallery is a block away), but at the same time just a little bit out of the way so that it is not crowded with tourists and street vendors.

Genuine Expedia guest review

Concierge gave great recommendations for dinner. Very kind, patient and great English.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The location is fantastic. We walked everywhere we needed to go. The rooms are clean. The service is good. The front desk staff helped us book two different tours. It was also a fair price.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

THE VIEW, THE LOCATION, THE VIEW and THE LOCATION is what the Hotel Balestri is all about. This place has an unbelievable spot right on the Arno River facing Oltrarno and literally a stone throw from the Ponte Vecchio. A 2 minute walk takes you to the Uffizi and a 5 minute walk takes you to Il Duomo the world renown Brunelleschi structure. The staff […] is hard working, extremely friendly and helpful and they have a high tolerance for non Italian speakers. The continental breakfast is all you need to begin your day and enough for you to make it until dinner. What else can I say? Florence is the best international city I've ever been to and the Hotel Balestri made it all affordable. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

This hotel was in a great location with a beautiful view. The room was clean, staff was friendly and helpful and the breakfast was great. I would recommend this hotel!

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We stayed at this hotel several times in the past and are still pleased with it. The food has actually improved!

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Great hotel with friendly staff and almost perfect location by the river. Rooms are smaller (typical for most European cities). A lot of the 4th floor rooms have quaint little balconies overlooking the river. The staff are extremely helpful, even with middle-of-the-night requests.

Genuine Expedia guest review

The hotel was wonderful. We had a balcony overlooking the river. Within walking distance of the central part of the city. Would highly reccommend the hotel.

Genuine Expedia guest review

Centrally located, substantial breakfast, staff has good suggestions for dining. Very pleasant atmosphere which is not overdone. Inexpensive wifi service. Very easy access to Oltrarno if you don't want to battle the crowds and traffic around Ponte Vecchio each time

Genuine Expedia guest review

Very convenient location and great deal for the price! Rooms are a bit tired and beds just acceptable in comfort.

Genuine Expedia guest review

This hotel was really great. From the location to the price to the breakfast. It was recommended to us and I would recommend it to someone else. The beds were just a little stiff. Other than that, give it a go...

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We came to Florence to visit our daughter who is a student there. The hotel is close to her apartment in Santa Croce, right on the Arno River, which we had a view of from our window. It is a 10 minute walk to the Ponte Vecchio. The hotel location is good because it is away from the bustle of the Duomo and Palazzo Vechio, but you can get to both in 10 […] to 15 minute walk. Staff was pleasant and helpful, room was were nice (bed was fairly hard but not uncomfortable) the lobby and dining room very pretty in the old fashioned European way (which we like.) Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Nice location on the river, close to the Uffizzi Gallery and Santa Croce Church. Our spacious room faced the river, with tall ceilings and two big windows. The only drawback to facing the river is street noise when you open the windows. Easy to walk everywhere - we even walked to the train station when time to leave. The staff was friendly and helpful. […] We loved this place. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Hotel is nice looking inside and out. Staff is friendly and speaks english. Neighborhood across the river has some nice dining options. leather school is right up the street.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The hotel is in an excellent location, right on the river just blocks from Ponte Vecchios and Piazza Republica. While the hot water did not run strong it would create a relaxing shower, with a full tub. We had a deluxe supreme which meant a queen bed with a twin which gave us plenty of space.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The staff wasn't very friendly. The breakfast was just okay. The location was decent and close to all the action.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Excellent location, beautiful views, if your lucky enough to get a view of the Arno (some did some didn't that's life) The common areas are casual elegant, the rooms are spotless clean everyday, and the furniture was comfortable and quaint. The breakfast buffet was the best, so was the coffee (perfectly strong) Front desk was great.. Would definately […] stay again, and will! Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

very close to everything staff very helpful and pleasant parking a car very expensive, but hotel must have a deal with a lot, and they will park your car for you. breakfast good

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I thought the hotel was ideally situated right near all the museums and the Ponte Vecchio as well as the fortress across the street that offered a panoramic view of Florence. the balcony overlooking the Arno made up for the smallness of the room. I liked the large bed and modern bathroom. Also, the dining room and adjoining sitting rooms were very grand […] and the breakfast buffet was very good. And, it was very quiet. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

Great deal for the money. Great location (right on the canal), clean, and friendly staff. Rooms were a little out-dated but many had a small porch to relax on.

Genuine Expedia guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The room was uncomfortable and stuffy. Windows could not be opened because of mosquito attacks. The bed linens were shabby. The hotel management provided very poor customer service in two instances where we had an unusual situation. In both cases, I ended up paying extra money to resolve the problem and when I escalated to hotel upper management, I […] was completely ignored. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This hotel is the perfect place to be in Florence. Our room overlooked the Arno River. We could walk to everything in the City Center. The desk staff were extremely helpful; gave great recommendations for restaurants. The breakfast was quite satisfying--juice, coffee, cereal, fruit, ham, cheese, yogurt, breads. The room was spacious; only negative was […] that the king bed was just two twins pushed together, so the middle of the bed was not comfortable. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

The room was very clean, but I expected a bit more of the hotel in this price range - the room was very boring and the furniture was not fantastic in the room. I would also note that the bed was very, very hard.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Hotel in perfect position in order for you to explore Florence. Staff are charming, and helpful. All in all a very pleasant experience!

Genuine Expedia guest review

Hello, We were on vacation one night on the way from Verona to Rome. Hotel very low level, in which a very famous site distant to what in practice. There is a lot of dirt (dirty walls, bedding smelling bad) horrible green colored which mentions a hospital bathroom has a strong smell of bleach, bathroom very old fashioned green as it once was. We were […] there two rooms we and another couple, the situation was similar in the two rooms. In short stay away. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The room was a lot older than expected and the breakfast was very simple. Everything else was good or ok. Nothing to truly rave about.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Fortunate to have a room with a balcony. Beautiful view over the Arno.

Genuine Expedia guest review

Beautifully located on the River not far from the major attractions. Front desk staff were fantastic in helping us book tickets for the museums and tours. And gave great directions. Very friendly and helpful. Always a hello and smile.

Genuine Expedia guest review

Very pleasant. Thank goodness for air con.! Overlooking the Arno. Very central.

Genuine Expedia guest review

Must say this hotel was perfect, a 100 yards to the main square and all the main sights. clean, quit, lovly breakfeast, helpful stuff, couldn't ask for more and our room was perfect with a view of the dome and a lovly balcony. would highly reccomend staying here. 100%

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The hotel, though dated, is clean and in a very good location. It overlooks a busy road but the rooms are well soundproofed from the outside. The staff were great and recommended some excellent restaurants nearby which helped us avoid the tourist traps.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This hotel was perfectly located for all the main sights in Florence city centre. Just a short walk to Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo. Situated on a quiet Piazza next to the River Arno. We found the hotel clean and comfortable and the room was air-conditioned which was necessary in August! Staff were courteous and helpful. There was a wide selection at […] the breakfast buffet - cooked breakfast available at extra cost. Downside was the costly car parking - euros 35 for 24 hours. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This guest did not leave a comment.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

A charming little hotel in a convenient location. Our room was huge with a living area but even with 4 windows, it was very dark. Brighter lights are a definite must and needs some warmth (pictures, carpet). The lobby, sitting area and breakfast room was lovely and the complimentary breakfast was good. I didn't find the workers to be friendly at all […] at the reception or at breakfast. If you have a car, find somewhere else to park because the charge 35 euros a day!! We were quite upset because we thought parking was included. What upset of even more was that we had to wait 1/2 hour for our car to come because they park it somewhere else. When I complained to the gentleman at the reception saying he should have told us when we checked in about this, he just brushed us off. We made sure we asked for the car the day we were leaving an hour in advance. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review