Hotel Torre Guelfa - Florence

10

We always stay at Torre Guelfa when in Florence and we love it; the hotel, the staff and the location!! Very Florentine! Great staff.

9.3

Fantastic quality/price hotel. Centric. One minute walk to Ponte Veccio and Piazza de la Signoria. Fantastic views from the tower. Very clean and spacious rooms. Basic breakfast.

9.7

Lovely hotel in historic area of Florence, close to Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio. We had a very large twin room. Beds were comfortable, room was quiet and bathroom functioned very well. Only downside was the airconditioning. Because the room is so big, the AC had trouble cooling the room because it was just not powerful enough(it was August!). It was barely tolerable, but we were able to sleep. You could not adjust the temperature at all. I had my dog with us and she was welcomed at no extra charge. The views from the tower of Florence were magnificent. I would recommend this hotel, but just be aware if staying in the heat of the summer.There was a convienent parking garage a block from the hotel which charged 30Euros for the night. Expensive? Yes, but you are in Florence and the center of any Italian city the cost of parking is expensive. We were only staying one night, so it was worth it.

8.4

WE loved this hotel, and would rcommend it. The tower cafe was really hot and needs some shade, but the views and ambiance were worth it. The numbering of the street, and lack of visible sign until we got right in front of it is important to those who might be walking from the train station (a pretty easy walk) or for us, who needed to be dropped off by our taxi becaseu of a festival going on. Numbers go 4, 2, 18, 8...something like that. A great location, near Palazzo Vecchia, train station, river, but quiet at night.

8.6

We were greeted by friendly owner. The room was fine, the location terrific but the best of all is the roof-top terrace where we sat with an aperitif ooverlooking 360 degree view of Florence with swifts swooping past us. Magical.

8.5

First room was noisy but we were given a second room which was very quiet.

7.1

perfect hotel for a week-end

8.8

What Torre Guelfa lacks in cosmetic polish it makes up with service. Great location, 100 meters from Ponte Vecchio and about three blocks from Uffizi Museums, short walk to Duomo...Fantastic location on a quiet side street. Staff was great in restaraunt suggestions and reservations both for dining and the museums. Incredible view once you climb the 70 or so stairs to the top of the hotel's tower. Full view of Duomo and other sights of Florence. Breakfast only downside, typical Italian breakfast of only juices, yogurts, and pastries but quality was always fresh. Hotel computer was fastest of the entire trip.

8.6

I had stayed at Tore Guelfa before while traveling solo (though it was a bit pricey for a solo stay). I took my friends back because of the many amenities and especially the tower view which offers one of the best views in Florence.

9.0

Beautiful hotel, rooms couldn't be faulted, very spacious, quiet and clean. Ideally located. Bathroom was perfect, hotel staff very kind and attentive. View from the terrace not to be missed. We stayed for a short weekend, but I would definitely come back.

8.2

I stayed in a single room, not spacious but OK for a not so big lady, and with a charming bathroom with a tiny bathtub!! A very nice and charming hotel. Breakfast room was very nice, but the breakfast itself was simple - I would have loved to have some local cheese,ham and vegetables! the tower was very nice and the view impressive! Staff very welcoming and helpful. We will definitely come back, and we recommend it to others!

8.5

Hotel is small one and old but I enjoyed myself with their European historic flavour. Reception staff was very kind and prctical I could not find any problem with them. I could get nice view of the city from their top roof. I'm very happy to find the plcace where I can be back. (TS/Japan)

9.0

perfect situated for sight-seeing in the city, charming and romantic place in an old palazzo, do not expect too much, because it is in an old structure and cannot be compared with modern, new hotel, but very quiet and good to stay for two or three nights

8.6

la posizione dell'hotel è ottimale, a due passsi dal ponte vecchio. Il personale è piacevole disponibile e cordiale, il palazzo affascinante e la vista dalla torre meravigliosa. Unico neo la dimensione della stanza, un po' piccolina, ma soprattutto del bagno, minuscolo, troppo.. comunque il gidizio rimane positivo

9.6

Stayed in a double room. It was a beautiful room with a window on the small street the hotel is on. The tower was spectacular, offering a fantastic view of Florence and breakfast was served in a wonderful terrace space. Food was good- fruit, juice yogurt and baked goods. We were only in Florence for a few days and although this hotel was a bit more money, it was only a 5 min walk to the Uffizi and convenient to all the places we wanted to go. Highly recommended!

8.5

Great location and the tower, which you can get to the roof of, has some of the best viewes in Florence

8.4

Excellent hotel, brilliant position.would definatley stay here again

2.5

Hotel did not live up to reviews on trip advisor

9.0

Old world ambience permeates the rooms and halls of the Torre Guelfa.The rooms were ample for two tall Americans . We enjoyed out breakfast in the skylight garden.The staff was so cordial and extroverted,offering truly Italian hospitality and warmth making our stay a happy memory.Thank you

7.8

The room was on the ground floor and was quite loud but not troublesome really - you could just hear the click clack of heels walking and workman loading trucks. Might be worth upgrading to the upstairs rooms. Amazing living room, tower and view and one of the most pleasant breakfast areas ever. We got in very late on the night of arrival and nothing was open to eat surrounding the hotel. The night manager very generously made us a basket of cheese, crackers and yougurt! Really wonderful. Super great location for exploring Florence!

9.6

This hotel was great. Every need was met and the location was great. Very close to everything the tower with wine at sunset should not be missed. The staff was very heplfull and pleasant.

10

My family enjoyed our stay at the Torre Guelfa, and will recommend it highly to our friends

9.2

This hotel was in a very convenient part of Florence about 1 block from the Ponte Vecchio. Very Central location!! The rooftop terrace was excellent for drinking a few bottles of wine in the evening with friends/family. I would definitely recommend this hotel!!

9.8

The Torre Guelfa was a great find. The price was right, the location superb and our room was very large. The rooms are a little dark and the noise from the street can be loud but overall I would highly recommend this hotel.

9.6

The antithesis of a Holiday Inn - charm, character, uniqueness abound. The breathtaking full-circle view from the tower is worth the cost of a night's stay alone. Their recommendation for a restaurant was fantastic. The only blemish is no screens on the windows to block mosquitoes.

10

Desk clerks gave marvelous service. The breakfast and room were both far above average.

8.8

Bathrooms need some updating. each room can not control heat. it is controlled by the floor. this caused us to be cold at night. hotel tower makes up for any negative! What a view!! very comfortable living area/bar. desk people are very helpful. overall, the hotel gives a true feel to Florence.

8.1

The hotel is in a great location but is also very quiet. The building, which has secure entry, is old and interesting. The wardrobe space is OK for a short stay. Breakfast is basic but acceptable. There is very limited other catering at the hotel itself but it is in an area with lots of bars and restaurants.

3.3

This hotel was the low point of my trip to Italy. Good things about the hotel were location, living room area, desk staff, breakfast staff. Bad things were that two mornings there was no hot water for showers, room was small, dingy, noisy, door barely locked, breakfast room was cramped, breakfast inferior to others in Italy, there was no coffee maker or hot water to make coffee in the room. I stayed in room 13 in mid Oct. '05. Web photos of room extremely mis-leading.

8.5

We enjoyed our stay and of course the torre or tower that is freely available for drinks in the evening. Very accomodating and helpful staff who are totally professional and go the extra yards to please. Rooms are very Florentine and spacious. Renovating the breakfast room which will be a treat next summer stay.

9.4

Overall, I enjoyed the property for it's value and 'charming/quaint'atmosphere but best of all it's location. Everything is reasonably close and I felt very safe as a woman traveling alone... The staff was excellent - quickly responding to my request to change rooms when my shower was nothing more than a dribble.

9.8

This is a wonderful hotel. Great location, beautiful room, great service.We really enjoyed staying here.

8.7

The room was large and very clean and attractive. There was good storage space. The bathroom was small but very clean. All the employees were friendly and helpful which added a lot to our stay in Florence.

10

This hotel is recommended 100%. It was a bit intimidating when first entering the building in a dark hallway, having to carry bags up a few steps and then enter a tiny elevator to reach the third floor reception area. However, once in the hotel, everything was A+. The front desk staff was friendly and EXTREMELY helpful in all regards (restaurant recommendations, calling a taxi, sightseeing advice). The bathroom was quite small, and having the sink in the bedroom rather than bathroom was a minor inconvenience, but worth it considering the age of the building...and the great view from their private tower. The location was also perfect, only a couple blocks from Ponte Vecchio, or other sights going north. Breakfast was adequate for our needs. Would definitely stay here again if our travels take us back to Firenze.

9.2

Great Location in the Centro Storico district. Enjoyable stay and really enjoyed the view from the roof-top bar in the tower. The breakfasts were just right!

8.2

I would recommend this hotel to most. The only disadvantage is the fact that the entrance is on the 3rd floor - there is a small lift. Initially it is not easy to locate - some more precise details about how to gain access could be useful. The staff were helpful and the room and location excellent. It certainly provides very good value for money.

9.9

The staff were so friendly and helpful. They recommended excellent restaurants, made a reservation for us when we requested it, and took the time to make sure that we were comfortable. The breakfasts were good and the wine bar in the tower had a breathtaking view as well as a very accomodating bartender. We thoroughly enjoyed Florence and our stay at Torre Guelfa.

9.8

Our stay at The Torre Guelfa was very positive. We would reccommend staying at the hotel to our friends. The staff was very helpful, especially with restaurant reccommendations. Our only complaints were the size of the bathroom (room 14) and the breakfasts, which were the exact same everyday. The location was great and the view from the tower, awesome!

3.5

At best, satisfacatory for a three star hotel and far less at the price. The Torre Guelfa's rooms were unimpressive and a little shabby, the service was only fair, and we had a miserable sleep due to noise caused by a loud hallway door and frequent traffic. The management seemed shocked that we should expect anything more for 200 euro a night and had few solutions to offer. We terminated our reservation early and checked into a beautiful hotel nearby. Granted, the tower is nice but: a) Florence is full of beautiful towers and vantage points; and, b) you can't sleep in it anyway. On the plus side, the hotel's location is quite good (a few hundred yards from the Ponte Vecchio)but Florence is a such a managable city there is no reaon why you need to install yourself in the tourist epicenter to really enjoy it. Don't misread this review, I'm fine with roughing it, I just don't like paying for the privilege of doing it. There are beautiful hotels in Florence, my advice is don't waste your money here.

8.5

The atmoshpere thoughout the hotel was wonderfully relaxing, elegent, and interesting. The tower was a nice retreat for the busy city below. The room photos on the website were good, but the photo of the tower does not do justice to the experience. The breakfast room is a bit small and can be too congested. We enjoyed our stay.

9.6

The staff was very friendly and very helpful. The location was great and the view from the tower was wonderful. I'd recommend Torre Guelfa to my friends.

10

Torre Guelfa is a wonderful hotel, the rooms were great and the view from the tower are unbelieveable. The staff are welcoming and helpful, suggesting a great restaurant, and helping to find another.

5.7

The hotel has some great features like the friendly service and that rooftop lounge. But due to it being an old building, the rooms were VERY noisy. We were right off the lobby and got no sleep on the first night due to noisy guests in the lobby. And, the bed was extremely uncomfortable. I have a complaint about venere.com. I tried to contact you twice through your website but received no reply. I tried to shorten my stay at the hotel but your site would only let me cancel my reservation. Hence, I had to cancel and then rebook. I never once got an acknowledgement from your site regarding my change and left the States not knowing if I even had a reservation or not.

9.9

We enjoyed our stay at your hotel, and especially loved the "tower" and the photo opportunities up there. The staff was very helpful. Thanks for your hospitality.

9.3

This was a wonderful experience, once we found the hotel. The driving directions should be improved. One particular recommendation is to note that by car it is near impossible. Provide directions to car park at the outer edge of city and advise a cab to hotel.

8.4

Very nice people. It was noisy with the window open, but perhaps all of Florence is that way. Was surprised at the entry as the hotel is on the 3rd floor (had not realized that) but the elevator worked great and we enjoyed our stay.

9.5

Location was absolutely amazing. Couldn't have been better. Conceirge gave recommendations for places to eat (non-touristy) and all were great. Overall, charming and excellent value. Would definitely stay there again, and recommend to friends.

9.8

This was a wonderful hotel. It is better than it was described. The breakfast really is not much, but nothing terrible. I would recommend to anyone going to Florence.

9.9

Loved my visit to Florence at the Torre Guelfa. Would definitely stay in their hotel again. Fantastic views from the tower and the staff was extremely helpful.

8.9

The staff was welcoming and helpful, the room was pretty, but what really makes this place special is the roof terrace - up many flights of stairs with a great view. If you don't anticipate using the roof much, then there may be other hotels that provide a better value - though the indoor common rooms are pretty stunning too. A nice place, in a great location, and better than the web site makes it appear.

7.8

What an interesting hotel. The tower terrace view is breathtaking! The reception staff was very curtious and helpful. This is not your normal hotel experience, but we found it a nice change and made our trip to Florence more interesting. I recommend it.

10

terrific site, gracious staff, quiet. Lovely play to stay

5.2

The room was overpriced for what we received. The hotel was extemely difficult to find. It was also very very cold as no heat has turned on. Overall, I would not recommend this hotel to others

6.8

The Hotel's best feature is the view from the top of the tower, where you can get cocktails. The location is very convenient, but almost invisible down a narrow street. Our room was spacious, nicely furnished with old pieces, and with very high ceilings, but the overall lighting (natural and fixtures)is rather gloomy. Pleasant, helpful service. The unique hotel is just a bit of an odd duck.

10

Wonderful service attitude and attention. Te hotel was wonderfully located and provided and extememly pleasant place to headquarter for our stay in Firenze. Would reccommend to anyone wnating a perfect place to stay.

8.8

We had room 22, which was very large and very comfortable. Location is excellent, the Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio just minutes away. Staff was very competent and helpful, and sunset from the tower was truly lovely.

10

This is the second year that we have returned to the Torre Guelfa--we love it! The location is superb and the view from the tower is tremendous. Everything about the hotel is great! We hope to return again.

9.6

This was the best hotel we stayed in on our trip. The Tower gave us great views and the staff was helpful.

8.2

Our only criticism would be that our room was not furnished to the standard we had anticipated, based on their photographs. However we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Torre Guelfa. Its location was perfect and the views over the city from the tower were magnificent. We would happily recommend this hotel to friends and family.

8.9

Our room, #26 I believe, had a separate section which, if furnished, would have made a small suite and would have been especially nice. The hotel's location is excellent for walking everywhere and the staff was very helpful and polite, but there's no doubt the hotel's best quality is its tower. A very nice young woman operates a small bar at the tower's top from 6-9 in the evening -- enjoying the sunset above the Florentine rooftops was fabulous and gave us a break from the madding crowd. While one indeed pays for this privilege, its uniqueness may be just what you need to make your stay in Firenze a little extra special.

9.8

An excellent hotel with fantastic facilities, location and surroundings.We were lucky enough to get room #15 with a private terrace

8.0

We loved the Torre Guelpha. The room was comfortable, the food was good, the staff were friendly, and best of all, the view from the rooftop balcony was awesome. What more could a person want?

6.2

We specifically chose this hotel because various other reviews had said that the rooms were very quiet. When making the reservation, we specifically requested a quiet room. We were given room #22, a room that overlooked a small alley. Unfortunately, this room turned out to be one of the loudest we've ever stayed at. There was a nightclub on the corner of the alley and the closest street, and people were talking and yelling just outside the nightclub from about 11pm until the early hours of the morning. Then around 5am we heard these strange, loud clanking noises right outside in the alley. It turns out that many of the people who have carts that sell things like wallets and postcards wheel their carts (the carts have metal wheels, so you can imagine what a noise that makes on uneven stone paving) through the alley to get to the main tourist areas like the Piazza della Signoria. All in all, I had to wear earplugs in order to get a wink of sleep - what a nightmare!

6.2

Our room was quite noisy, had no TV (which the hotel mentioned they had), a shower stall you could hardly move around in and the toilet was so high off the ground my legs didn't touch the floor (I'm 5'7). The view from the tower was nice and it was in a great location.

9.8

If you want a romantic stay in a beautiful and an unusual hotel - this is the place to stay. The tower on top of the hotel is an absolutely fabulous place for pre dinner drinks with the most spectacular views we have seen - the Spumante isn't bad too.

8.6

The room rates are a bit steep for a 3-star hotel, but you're paying for location (within steps of the Ponte Vecchio) and atmosphere. Views from the tower are fantastic and the rooftop bar is a great place for a late-afternoon drink (though you'll have to climb some stairs to get to it). However, most guest rooms themselves don't have any view to speak of. The fact that the bulding is several hundred years old, while giving the hotel a lot of character, is also reflected in some of the infrastructure. The lift doors are opened and closed manually, and if the last passenger did not do this properly, you may find yourself climbing the three flights of stairs to the lobby (this happened to us on more than one occasion).

8.1

Some clear problems as far as maintanance and -on a daily level- cleaning is concerned. Our rooms had not been properly dusted, bad enough to rub of onto our clothing when we got too close to the doors or cabinet. The welcoming was businesslike not friendly. Breakfast was with little choices. BUT: the view (from the tower) is absolutely fantastic. The location equally great.

8.8

The terrace at the top of the tower was wonderful! Beautiful views of Florence and between 6 and 9 pm a small bar was available. There is nothing like sipping a glass of wine, reading a book, and enjoying a spectacular view of Florence as the sun sets. Oh, and the rooms were quite nice, too. We stayed in number 13.

8.2

This hotel is a mix of excellent and mediocre qualities. The location is fantastic, a few steps from the Ponte Vecchio and a couple of blocks from the Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi. And they do have a medieval tower which is part of the property, and from which you get a fantastic view of the whole town and surrounding area; you can sit with a drink, look around and take pictures. And they do have a lift. All as claimed in their website. However I had jumped to the conclusion that rooms were in the tower and would have a fantastic view. Our room was on the second floor, had no view and little light. We had a mini-suite so it was roomy compared with a regular room, but the extra space was not furnished or organized in a useful way. The tower is a very narrow one, reached by a couple of flights of stairs. The personnel, though correct, were not warm or welcoming.

9.8

I would highly recommend the Torre Guelfa to anyone traveling to Florence. The location was excellent, just a few blocks from all of the major sites and museums. The sunset views from the private hotel tower were remarkable. The staff was extremely helpful and spoke fine English. They even confirmed our reservation and bus travel to our next destination. When we return to Florence, we will stay here again.

9.0

This is a really nice place to stay in Florence. The hotel is charming, welcoming and comfortable. It has a position which is convenient for most things tourists want to see in this city.

8.7

It was a bit expensive, but worth it for the tower view.

10

A very genteel quiet hotel on a narrow street one block from the Arno, five minutes walk to the Ufizi Gallery, the Duomo, and the Ponte Vechio. The only sign to announce the presence of the hotel is a small discrete plaque on the stone facade. Very comfortable rooms. A large drawing room with floors tiled in green marble and high beamed ceilings, comfortably furnished provides an agreeable place to read.

9.6

Fabulous location. Very quiet. Generous continental breakfast served in quaint terrrace area. My room was quite small and sparsely furnished; but I inspected #13, a double, and was very impressed with decor & spaciousness.

10

We throroughly enjoyed our stay at the Hotel Torre Guelfa. The location was excellent and the view from the tower was incomparable. The room was enjoyable and the staff (and the owner) were very helpful. There was nothing that we would change except for allowing for a longer stay in Florence. We look forward to returning next year.