La Residenza Del Proconsolo

“Enjoyed our stay at this charming hotel with great location”

My husband and I recently stayed in the Leonardo room at the Residenza del Proconsolo in Florence, and it suited us perfectly. This B&B is centrally located, right off the Piazza del Duomo, within walking distance to Firenze SMN train station. The reception desk is not staffed 24 hours, but communi… more

My husband and I recently stayed in the Leonardo room at the Residenza del Proconsolo in Florence, and it suited us perfectly. This B&B is centrally located, right off the Piazza del Duomo, within walking distance to Firenze SMN train station. The reception desk is not staffed 24 hours, but communication with the staff was easy through email and What's App. We arrived at 1 pm and were able to check-in to our room early. Our windows looked out on the Duomo and we were able to open the windows to hear the Campanile bells each morning. When the double windows were closed, the room was quiet and we were able to sleep well. The room was huge and charming, with a high wooden coffered ceiling and a fireplace. The bathroom was modern and spotless, with a large walk-in shower. The bed was very comfortable. Breakfast was provided in the room, with packaged croissants, muffins and cereal, and orange juice, milk, and yogurt in the mini- fridge. A coffee maker with pods and an electric kettle were provided, with a variety of tea bags. Dishes, utensils and napkins were provided. We ate our breakfast at a table for two in the room with the windows open so we could listen to the city waking up. We liked this arrangement because it allowed us freedom to follow our own schedule in the mornings. Everything was refilled and refreshed daily. There is a pastry/coffee shop steps away at the next corner where we could get cappuccino. There are three gelato shops on the corner next to the hotel, and many restaurants in the neighborhood. The hotel is within walking distance to all the major museums and sites, as well as the shopping district. After check-out we were able to leave our luggage for a few hours to do some more sightseeing and get lunch before we had to catch our train. We enjoyed our stay at the Residenza del Proconsolo and would not hesitate to stay again. Very enjoyable!

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“A nice place to stay. ”

We liked this hotel and would stay here again. Yes it was a little older but it was very comfortable with good hot water in the bathroom and a nice bed and plenty of space. What would make it nicer is if there was an extra mirror outside of the bathroom. As well, the prepackaged buns and muffins f… more

We liked this hotel and would stay here again. Yes it was a little older but it was very comfortable with good hot water in the bathroom and a nice bed and plenty of space. What would make it nicer is if there was an extra mirror outside of the bathroom. As well, the prepackaged buns and muffins for breakfast were not really good. The local grocery stores sell really wonderful bread for next to nothing. Fresh bread would have been much better. As well there is a Keurig styled coffee maker in the room. That would have been OK but we got two little coffee pods a day for coffee. That really was not enough and came across as tight fisted. Otherwise breakfast was classic and plenty. There are stairs to get to all the rooms so anyone with mobility issues should be aware. Communication was via Whatsapp. That was not much fun and both of us are rather good with apps and technology.

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“Excellent location, spacious rooms, otherwise average and poor breakfast”

With this place, you are mainly just paying for the location. All major sights were within 10-minutes walk and the train station SMN just a few minutes more. The rooms are spacious and clean, and the staff is nice but not present for much for the day so if you need something you can whatsapp them t… more

With this place, you are mainly just paying for the location. All major sights were within 10-minutes walk and the train station SMN just a few minutes more. The rooms are spacious and clean, and the staff is nice but not present for much for the day so if you need something you can whatsapp them to get eventual assistance. There are about 30 steps and no elevator, so anyone with very heavy bags or physical limitations beware. Though overall it was an ok stay, the hotel really should not brand itself as a bed and breakfast. In any reasonable person's mind, that would make you think you will be receiving a hearty (if not warm) meal with several options to ensure you start the day full and satisfied. Instead, they have 1 prepackaged cake/croissant per person, rusk, corn flakes (without bowels or milk to eat it--how am I supposed to eat this--right out of the box like I'm 8 again?) There is some yogurt and 100% orange juice, but something more like fresh fruits would be minimally needed to call this a breakfast. Since I booked this place over others based on the expected breakfast, you can see I'm a tad annoyed about this dupe and at having to take additional time/effort/money to go find food in the AMs. The room is pretty bare bones, but if you ask for something they will get it for you (eg wine opener, wine glass). 2 water bottles given on the first day, then no more. Bring your own shampoo/conditioner as this is a combo body wash and shampoo in one. Bring lotion if you need it. Four poster double bed with a very rickety metal frame--I was by myself and woke myself up with all the rocking when turning at night, so can't imagine what an unrestful sleep it would be with a partner in the bed. Housekeeping came daily but it's pretty minimal (remake the bed, give new towels, empty trash, no cleaning was done between which after 4 days is a bit of a downer). I would think of this more as a small upgrade from a hostel with private room/bathroom or essentially an Airbnb with a mini fridge and coffemaker. Deluxe room with "Duomo View" is technically correct, but they should specify that it is a very obstructed view (see attached pic from Michelangelo Room). Many people would brave the street noise for a view, and I don't think it's worth it especially cuz you are just getting side street noise (not even main drag frenetic activity which can be exciting)--trucks idling below the window frequently and smokers stopping to give you a whiff. Pay much less for an internal courtyard view and get a quiet night's sleep. So in summary--safe, extremely basic but extremely central spot in Florence, just know what you are signing up for as the website is a bit misleading.

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