Hotel Sampaoli - Florence

9.6

Need a well located, friendly, clean cheap stay in Florence for business or touring? Look no further! Very welcoming, great service, wonderful price! Highly recommended!

8.3

Friendly and very helpful owners.Room was lovely and quiet.Walking distance to all sights of intrest and from railway station.Worth mentioning, for the less mobile/able, you access the Hotel via a steep fairly narrow staircase could prove inconvenient for some!.

7.2

The hotel is very well located and a short walk to train station as well as most of the attractions. The staff were fantastic and very accommodating. The restaurant recommendations they made have proven to be very good and I consider myself to be somewhat of a foodie. The room was adequate suited our needs just fine which were see the sites in the day time and have a restful sleep at night. I would most likely go back to the hotel.

8.5

We are both in our 70's and in good health and totally enjoyed the hotel even with having to climb over 60 steps to get to the reception area.

6.3

Employees are very synpathetics and welcoming and the hotel is close to center. But be aware the Hotel is on the 2nd floor via narrow stairs, so don't have too huge/heavy bags! Bad points : * Walls are very thin, we could hear people typing on computer keyboards from our room. * too expensive for a 1 star hotel as there is no breakfast included nor available.

8.8

Está muy bien situado, muy cerca de la estación de tren y del Duomo. Lo mejor, sus empleados, nos recibieron muy bien y en todo momento, estuvieron dispuestos a aconsejarnos y ayudarnos durante nuestra estancia. Lo recomiendo.

8.5

There was a mixup with our reservation - a room with private bath wasn't available, as the website said it was, on one night - but the hotel emailed us immediately to let us know and we agreed to a room with shared bath. It turned out not to be too inconvenient and we were moved the next day to a room with private bath. The noise level was a little higher than we would have liked; most of the guests were young and we were there over a weekend so it was to be expected, and the restaurant next door creates a lot of noise. I recommend requesting a room in the back. Otherwise, our stay was wonderful. The location couldn't be better, the hosts were very helpful and provided a fan in the unseasonable heat, the rooms were very clean and even the long staircase wasn't offputting as the hosts were quick to help with our luggage. It's not 4 star accommodation, but that wasn't what we were looking for, and we'll definitely be back.

7.5

We were in Florence for New Years and had a wonderful time. Along with all the other guests, we, were give a free bottle of Champagne from the Hotel. Sampaoli is a great place, only a few minutes walk from the Dome and very close to the University District, where some friendly bars and pubs are located. Breakfast, lunch and dinner places are just down the street, on the way to the attractions. The public area was lively, free internet access was helpful, so too were the guidebooks on the bookshelves. Very loud at night, but it wasn't so much the people staying at the hotel as it was the people walking by on the streets below. Bathrooms clean, the room smelled a bit musky each day, but our sheets were made when we came home in the afternoon, room was secure while we were gone, and we even had a sink and closet space. A peaceful spot in the heart of florence to sleep, relax after a long day, and meet random travellers from all over the world. Close enough to the Dome for us to go back when we forgot something in the room. Certainly comfortable with staying here again next time.

6.5

It's ok for young people, for 2/3 night max. breakfast is poor

6.9

Lots of stairs!! Bad for you if carrying large pieces of luggage. Only went there to sleep. Seemed fine for a night's stay.

10

Loved it. Easy to find and very central. Leonardo, one of the reseptionists is very helpfull in lokal knowlege. would do it again

6.8

We booked a room with private bathroom in the Sampaoli Hotel but on arrival the owner said there wasn't any available with shower, and furthermore he warned us that he had a noisy group of young guests, so it would be better that middle age people like us would stay at the Affitacamare Barbano. This bed & breakfast is 10 minutes walk from Sampaoli and run by the owners wife. We were offered to be taken there by taxi, but we walked. Our first reaction when not finding a place to sleep where we booked it was rather of disappointment, but the owner assured us that he would take special care of guests who book through Venere. The stay in Barbano was indeed very quiet, at the same price of our booking - although the Barbano has slightly higher tarifs - but the neighbourhood is not so centrally located and less lively than Via San Gallo. The welcome by the wife of the house was very warm. There is free internet and a nice little library with books about Florence. Breakfast was simple but sufficient, except for the small volumes of strong coffee served. It appears that only hotels in Rome serve "American" coffee, that let you some liquid to drink . The table in the room was somewhat small to enjoy breakfast with 2 people.

9.8

Beautiful, comfortable little hostel, located within walking distance of just about everything (Florence is pretty small and very walkable)! The staff was warm, friendly, and helpful. The room met my expectations and felt very home-y. I would definitely stay again!

8.6

The staff was very helpful and the location was ideal. There was also free use of the internet which was a surprise bonus.

6.3

The walls of this hotel seem to be very thin as we could hear everything that was going on outside of our room at all hours of the day. I enjoyed the free internet use very much and appreciated the help of the man that was at reception while we were there. There is a supermarket about three blocks away that was nice to have near. I was a bit disappointed to see the bathroom facilities when we arrived. We had a bathroom in our room but it was very small, not very clean, and the shower was just a corner of the bathroom where you stand with half of a shower curtain to try and keep the water from going everywhere. However, for discount European Hotels this was a decent deal.

4.1

You have to walk up 3 narrow flights of stairs, which if you have any luggage at all is an impediment.

9.3

My husband and I greatly enjoyed our one night stay here (Sept 2004). The room was much bigger and nicer than expected. Even though our room was right by the reception desk, we didnt have any noise problems (and we're light sleepers). One problem we had that the hotel may have no control over: mosquitos! Even with the window closed, I gotten bitten several times (I think they found their way in from the window somehow) and awoke to the sounds of "buon giorno" buzzing in my ear from a little blood sucker. The free, Internet-ready computer in the lobby is a really nice touch. We were able to check email and finances before retiring and before heading out. Overall, a great stay--but in the warmer months, definitely bring your bug spray!

9.9

Wonderful budget hotel. We had a room with a private bath and it was a nice size room with a nice size bathroom. The room was very clean and our room did not face the street and was very quiet. The staff was helpful and there was free internet access as well. The location was also very convienent to the major sites in Florence. Would highly recommend to those looking for a nice, clean and safe budget hotel with character.

7.1

Hotel and staff were fine - for the price/time of year, it was good value. Nothing special, but nothing to complain about either. Location very good.

9.5

This hotel is very welcoming and wonderfully situated for exploring Firenze. The staff was very helpful in making dining reservations for us, making local calls for us, and making recommendations. The neighborhood is vibrant and full of students. It was noisy outside on the streeet, but our room that faced a rear courtyard was much quieter. I will wholeheartedly recommend this hotel to friends; it was a bargain

7.3

We stayed at this hotel in June 2004 - the level of cleanliness and standard of furnishing in the rooms was perfectly adequate, especially given the cost and how central the hotel was. We were, however, given a room which opened on to the main foyer and was very noisy. We also had to move rooms for our last night due to a booking error, and were only informed of this on the morning on which we had to move, which was very irritating.

7.6

enjoyed our stay at this hotel. We got what we expected. Staff were friendly and helpfull and spoke adequate English. Room which was at the back of the building was clean and comfortable

8.4

We stayed three nights at Hotel Sampaoli, which was conveniently located to walk to the Duomo, Accademia, San Lorenzo market and even the Uffizzi. The room, while small, was nice and well furnished. Those not familiar with some bathrooms in Italy should know that the shower was not enclosed, so the floor in the bathroom, as well as the sink got wet but we just used a towel to mop the floor up. Noise from two young guys talking in a room across the hall came into our room - but then, they had their door open. The hike up the stairs is pretty daunting when you are hauling your luggage - the stairway is quite narrow. But the hotel staff was very helpful, getting us a taxi for an early morning flight, and checking us out the night before.

9.4

Although we arrived late to Florence, we had no trouble finding the hotel. We had supplimented the map from the website with a map obtained from a european mapping website. Development controls in Florence prohibit the use of large commercial signing in the old part of the city so the only indication of the hotel was a small (40cm x 15cm) sign attached directly to the building adjacent to the entrance door. Make sure you have the address. You first enter the building through a rather narrow staircase up four flights of stairs. But don't be discouraged. Once you reach the reception you will be pleasantly surprised. The reception and all the rooms are furnished in antique peices befitting the 900 year old age of the building. All of the amenities (bath etc) worked well and the bed was very comfortable. The hotel provides free internet access (with terminal) from 9 am to 11 pm. The hotel is conveniently located near all of the significant attraction in florence and we had an exceptional visit.

6.5

This hotel is nicely situated just outside the main tourist area but still very close to all of the sights. Check in was easy and the room was descent. It had a veiw of an alley that was somewhat noisy. The staff also had friends over one of the two nights and were playing music and conversing quite loudly right outside our room door. We were unable to sleep at this hotel. They did provide free internet service so we could keep up with our email. One of the staff spoke very good english, while the other did not (or pretended not to I think)

8.1

Good location, friendly staff, rustique rooms... would definately recommend others to stay there

9.4

We just spent a pleasant few days in Florence staying at the Sampaoli. It's a small two star on the traditional Italian model - an upstairs appartment (in this case a duplex) in a very old building by the University, 100 yards from the Piazza San Marco and about 10 minutes walk from the Duomo or the rail station. This is a lovely neighbourhood of narrow streets, with plenty of bars and restaurants, as well as the wonderful covered market (Mercato Centrale) for all your gastronomic needs. The hotel itself is an interesting mix of student funky (young English-speaking staff, free internet, small library of books in English) and Italian trad (individually decorated rooms with nice solid Italian furnishings and tastefully framed Florentine prints on the walls). Most rooms have en suite showers/WCs although there isn't air conditioning (fans provided as well as mosquito nets on the windows). If you want A/C ask about their annex a few streets further north. For the price we thought it was pretty wonderful - mainly because in peak season the Florentines arte often pretty brusque with tourists and these people were quite the reverse. (You get your own set of keys to the building so none of that bell-ringing stuff.)

9.5

I love this hotel very much. I'll stay here when I visit Firenze next time. It would be perfect if the trush and towel supply is more sufficient.

5.9

Nice location. Steep, narrow steps and no telephone, but otherwise perfectly adequate - though spartan

8.9

excellent budget priced hotel but some rooms at the front are prone to noise from students from the university and motorcycles

9.4

Hotel Sampaoli is in a good location, clean and affordable. The proprietors are very helpful and personable. It is obvious they care about their business and clientele. I am well-travelled and highly recommend this hotel to astute budget travellors.