Hotel Relais il Cestello - Florence

The owner didn't seem very interested in his guests and at times bordered on rude. Otherwise it's a nice hotel in a quiet location not too far from the train station and tourist sites. There is some noise coming from the trendy restaurant downstairs, but not an unreasonalble amount. Bathroom was clean but shower needed some work. Overall not bad but could be much better with a dose of hospitality.

For an older hotel, it was really well maintained and clean. The staff was friendly and the breakfast was good. It was close to the center, but far enough away to provide a little peace from the crowds in the town center. It was a good location to explore the various areas of the city. Parking in front, but expensive.

No wifi

Marco is the kindest of hosts and welcomes you "home" with a smile. It being a few more steps away from the fray, makes all of the difference as one wakes to the bells of the Cestello rather than the hum of traffic. The cannelloni at Mamma Gina's is the world's best...absolutely.

Das hotel ist ruhig gelegen und nur einige Schritte entfernt vom historischen zentrum der stadt.

Hotel Relais il Cestello was perfect. Marco was so welcoming, so nice, so accomodating. The room was a good size for two people. Breakfast was perfect and Marco personally serves you. The location was great, right across the Arno, a very easy walk to all the sights. I loved being away from all the tourist noise. We will absolutely stay in this hotel again when we are back in Florence.

Hotel Relais il Cestello is a clean, decent place to stay in an un-touristy neighborhood of Florence, away from the crowds yet near enough to walk to the main attractions. You get what you pay for, and this place is totally fine for someone who wants a clean room and comfortable bed and who doesn't want to pay for amenities, spaciousness, etc. The lobby is a little frumpy, if that matters to you. A good deal for the money in an expensive city.

Looking for a quiet, reasonably priced hotel in Florence that was away from the normal tourist areas, we were very pleased with the relais. Whilst fulfilling these needs, it was still close enough for easy pedestrian access to all the places we wished to visit whichever side of the river they were on. We were kindly received, being offered a choice of rooms on arrival even though this was several hours ahead of the published time for rooms to be available. The history of the building added to its charm. We would stay here again. It should, however, be noted that despite a stair lift, access for the disabled is not ideal.

Only disadvantge is the set up = rooms are along a corridor off the lobby where breakfast is served. Consequently I was woken at 7 every morning by the noise from breakfast. The single room is small and noise travels from bathroom of room next door........... Great location. L'unico svantaggio e' che si sente facilemente il rumore dalla sala collazione (alle 7 di matt). Camera singola piccola e si sente il rumore dal bagno della camera accanto. Ben ubicato l'albergo.

I think this hotel is a great deal for anyone who's looking to stay in a less touristy part of Florence. It's not more than a 15-20 minute walk to the train station/Central Market area or to Santo Spirito, and 20-25 minutes to the Uffizi. I lived for a year in this neighborhood-- it's one of the last in the city center that still feels residential!

Yet another business trip to Florence, but the first time on this side of the river. So much more peaceful here Florence is small enough that you can walk everywhere so staying on the "residential" side of the river is better than the full on tourist side. Thankyou to the hotel and staff

Take the short walk to the old city wall, and visit Trattoria Il Sabatino [just beyond the wall through the gate and to the right, tucked into a corner] for a luscious and well-served meal in a very comfortable and fun atmosphere. Be prepared to walk for at least ten minutes to get to restaurants and other points of interest, but the location and its quiet are worth it. Off the beaten path, but close enough to it to access all the usual spots.

Stayed three nights at Relais Il Cestello in July 2007 with my grown daughter and her college roommate. The triple room was a little cramped with one queen sized bed and one roll-away, which was pushed up against the armoire, but it was nothing we couldn't deal with. The hotel is located in the Oltarno neighborhood, across the river from the major tourist areas and about 3 to 4 blocks along the river from the Ponte Vecchio. As a result, it was quiet and uncrowded, but still within easy walking distance of all the important sights in Florence. The hot chocolate served at breakfast was the definite hit of all the breakfasts we had in Italy! One caution: the directions given for traveling from the train station are incomplete. When exiting the train station, be sure turn right and go past the church of Santa Maria Novella to find via dei Fossi. It takes about 20 minutes to walk it, not 10; we took a cab to the train station when we left.

I have stayed in many hotels, B&Bs and hostels in Italy. This is one of the best for the price. We were 2 couples in our 50's. Great location on the river, close to the Uffizzi. Walking to everything but not in the very tourist"y" noisy part of the city. The owners are helpful and pleasant. The rooms are large (for Italy). The price 100 euros per night with an excellent breakfast. We would absolutely stay again.

The Relais il Cestello is more like a bed and breakfast. It is small and the breakfast room is intimate. It was a nice respite to be on the Oltrarno, away from the tourist crowds, but still be able to look directly across the river. The Santo Spirito area is very pleasant. The staff of the Cestello is very pleasant and helpful. I will stay there again.

Great value and a very convenient location especially if not your first trip to Florence. Our bathroom was very small and could have used a little more light but it was certainly clean and servicable. We would not hesitate to return and have recommended it to friends and clients.

This is wonderful small hotel with kind staff. my only problem was that i could not get the internet to work.

We really liked Relais il Cestello. I had been on business the week before in 4 and 5 star hotels in other European countries, and I did not see the advantage of the 'extra stars' for the other hotels. I think the owner at Relais il Cestello was absolutely delightful and the hotel was charming. The location could hardly be any better- the view was directly onto the river from our room and everything was within walking distance. Overall, it was our favorite hotel and we really want to go back.

It is not fair to advertise that you offer internet connection without saying it costs 3 E. / 30 min (that price might be the better solution only if you are in the middle of a desert). It is not fair to advertise you offer parking when it is a public one (expensive and maybe full). It is not fair to advertise you offer 24h hour reception, when nobody is there at night (moreover leaving the keys of all rooms unattended and available to everybody).

It's a three star hotel, with private feeling. Close to the teatro comunale, which was great for me.

A hotel with real character, will definitely stay there again!

Extremely friendly & helpful staff. Room & bathroom good value for money.Good location,20 mins walk to main attractions,great little local deli,laundromat,cafes close by.Above a restaurant, but surprisingly quiet. We would recommend this hotel to friends & family & would happily use it again if in Florence

This hotel was nice. Small, clean and family owned. The only disadvantages are the lack of an elevator and the breakfast left much to be desired. During our trip we stayed in 9 hotels all over Europe and this one had the worst breakfast.

Quiet room from lovers, very large bed useful for love. Hotel close to city center. The parking in front of the hotel isn't free, you need to park the car on the first bridge near the hotel.

Nice hotel but this hotel don't have its own parking. We had to pay .....

When we arrived we had a disabled room but we never asked for that. We asked to swicth and he did the next day.

A nice and especially quiet little hotel in noisy Florence. Our rooms were spacious and tidy, just one of them obviously was not a non-smoking room, so there was a bit of an unpleasant smell (room no 23). Unfortunately we could not change rooms as the hotel was fully booked. Apart from that we were completely satisfied with everything. I would recommend this hotel anytime.

My favorite hotel in Italy!!

A delightful small hotel with a lot of charm. Simple breakfast served round a family style table in reception area. Close to all the main sights within easy walking distance of everywhere. On local bus route (route D) from Railway and bus station. Slight disturbance ocassionally due to sirens from ambulances leaving nearby depot. Happy to recomend this hotel to all our friends.

It's a very quite. familiar and confortable hotel in the very centre.

Everyting was fine. just a pitty that breakfast have no salty food (ham or cheese or eggs...). excellent location.

- Excellent Hotel in the Oltrarno section of Florence. Quick walking distance to city center, parking lot right outside for car convenience (if touring Tuscany), great room overlooking the river in the distance with high ceilings and spacious king sized bed. I would definitely stay here again. Wonderful staff. This was our honeymoon and we loved it.

Excellent staff. immediately over the Arno just two bridges down from the Ponte Vecchio. The restaurant downstairs was superb, the food and wine was easily the best I had eaten in Italy with the added advantage of being able to stagger up to our rooms afterwards

This hotel would be an excellent value at twice the price. The facilities are in outstanding condition, the breakfast is generous, the staff is most helpful, and the Oltrarno location on the Lungarno is not Piazza Duomo or Piazza della Signoria, but is by no means "suburban" as some reviewers said. It is within the old Roman walls, a 5-10 minute walk to the Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti, or the Duomo, depending on which direction you go.

This hotels accommodation and price were well within keeping of what we expected, clean and comfortable which is all we want - how long do you spend in a hotel room. We would definately stay again. It is in the quieter area of Florence which is what we had hoped for. Breakfast was continental which was no problem to us it is what we expect when on the continent. With satelite TV you can keep up with the news

Quiet. Very central location with easy parking.

It was a bit surprising to see the hotel as we pulled up. I was expecting a bit more of a grand appearance and the parking area in the front of the hotel was quite congested. Antonio the manager was a bit unpleasant at first but then he warmed up.