Grand Hotel Baglioni

“Best view of the Duomo”

This city and this hotel never disappoint! I always stay at this hotel when I am in Florence, but this year we were passing through, so we stopped in for breakfast. The best view of the Duomo is from their rooftop restaurant. The rooms are spacious and the service is first class! Special shou... more

This city and this hotel never disappoint! I always stay at this hotel when I am in Florence, but this year we were passing through, so we stopped in for breakfast. The best view of the Duomo is from their rooftop restaurant. The rooms are spacious and the service is first class! Special shout out to Vanessa, the front desk manager who went out of her way to make our experience as magical as always!

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“Well worth a visit to the roof terrace”

We met with friends on the roof terrace for cocktails - the drinks and service were excellent but the view was to die for. The staff make you feel welcome even though not being a resident. It is a so vial experience and week worth adding to your itinerary if visiting Florence

“Great Location and Rooftop Bar”

We stayed here for the first leg of our honeymoon. Once we got on the right train, it was fairly easy to get to (the train station is less than 50 feet away depending on where you exit). My wife is an interior designer, so she picked this place because of its history, charm and aesthetic. We stay... more

We stayed here for the first leg of our honeymoon. Once we got on the right train, it was fairly easy to get to (the train station is less than 50 feet away depending on where you exit). My wife is an interior designer, so she picked this place because of its history, charm and aesthetic. We stayed in the family room, which comes with a couch; it was fairly spacious with high ceilings, a large shower/tub, and patio (the patio looks out at other patios, so we didn't use it). None of these items were new or modern, but we know what we signed up for. Florence isn't big, but it is south of the River Arno, and a pretty easy walk to the Duomo, Academia (statue of David), and a lot of the restaurants we wanted to try. Whether you stay here or not, grab a drink at the rooftop. The views are amazing. My only complaints were: (1) we noted it was a honeymoon trip, but didn't receive any acknowledgement from the staff or an upgrade and (2) the beds were a little hard.

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“Business Meetings- Yes! Classic 4 Star Florentine hotel for a romantic stay? No.”

The Grand Hotel Baglioni has much to commend it-- for business. Not for the vacation traveler looking for a genuine Italian experience. It is well very well kept and the rooms comfortable--particularly the garden suite we occupied-- but the bed's mattresses have seen better days. The halls a bi... more

The Grand Hotel Baglioni has much to commend it-- for business. Not for the vacation traveler looking for a genuine Italian experience. It is well very well kept and the rooms comfortable--particularly the garden suite we occupied-- but the bed's mattresses have seen better days. The halls a bit musty. Overall, the staff is excellent and on the mark --with the exception of the kind of concierge service you would expect in a 4 star hotel. That in a moment... The main issue with the hotel is that it is completely geared for business meetings and tours. The lobby is furnished like a Hilton and could be a hotel in Burbank or Seattle, lacking any Italian charm. It is hard to feel romantic when the lobby is set for registration and side rooms are hosting a Parkinson's Disease conference. And there is the real rub-- because what draws one to the hotel is the roof top restaurant and views. However, starting with our arrival after 15 hours flight, we were told by a rather indifferent concierge that we could have dinner because there were no reservations available. He did not offer to help us find something elsewhere. This battle with the concierge desk went on nearly every night. When we finally scored a family reservation for dinner with our Italian family of seven for Father's Day, it was for 8:45. Upon checking in, we were told there was a mistake, and that we had no reservation. No room at the restaurant. They offered us a bottle of Prosecco as consolation. Meanwhile, from the bar (where food is not servered) we could see a staff waiting on a business party. We managed one dinner and one lunch during our stay. They were excellent. We simply stopped trying to eat at the hotel and found excellent restaurants elsewhere. By the way, the breakfast at the hotel was also excellent. The other factor to consider, is that while the hotel is near the Duomo and famous Center sights, it is across from the train station, near the new trams, and in the roughest part of the Center. You step out of the hotel in a massive parking lot. All in all, an expensive ($475 per night) lesson that 4 Stars in not a guarantee of a 4 start experience in a beautiful city.

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