Hotel Palazzo Benci, Florence

American Couple stayed 2 nights in Mid-October 2004 and had a pleasant surprise with their stay at this hotel close to the Historic Downtown sites. This was the cleanest hotel we stayed at during our two week stay in Italy. The maid service, desk staff, and maintenance personnel are to be congratulated on the hotel condition. The room was nicely decorated and there are screens for the windows which keep out the mosquitos when you want some fresh air. There is a lift for getting the luggage to your room on the upper floors. The front desk staff, especially Cosimo and Rafaella was helpful with information for tourists. They even kept our luggage on our day of departure after chek-out so we could do more sight-seeing. The breakfast room was an outstanding setting that retained the historic nature(frescoe on the wall) and decorations of the original structure. Food and drink was above average. The lounge and bar downstairs near the lobby was spacious and filled with comfy leather couches and chairs; a good spot to relax after long walks in the city.

The location was directly across from the entrance to the Medici Chapel. This small chapel/museum is a must see since it is only 100' from the hotel entrance, go early in the day. Located inside are several outstanding original marble statues by Michelangelo, relics, and Medici Family crypts, etc. The Hotel is about 3 blocks from the main train station, Piazza Santa Maria Novella or the Duomo in the opposite direction. I would recommend this hotel to anyone in the medium price category, great value!