Wonderful Stay!

What a great experience! Upon arrival, the concierge and bellhop promptly greeted us and helped us to settle in to our riverfront room. Whenever we asked for directions or information at the desk, they were attentive and remarkably helpful. The rooms were very clean. During our first night, our air-conditioning unit was not working too well so the next morning we mentioned it to the front desk. As soon as we returned after a couple of hours of sightseeing, they had moved our luggage to a large spacious riverfront room. Their continental breakfast is delicious and the waitresses were friendly and attentive. The hotel is in a great section of town, very close to the Uffizzi but located in a less-busy, less touristy section. We would stay here again in a heartbeat! Three cheers for Hotel Balestri!

Great hotel in a lovely location :o)

We have just returned from a two night break at the Hotel Balestri. The Hotel is about a 20 minute walk from Santa Maria Novella Railway station.

We requested (and had) a view of the River Arno and had a great view over-looking the Ponte Vecchio and San Miniato al Monte. Although the Hotel is on a fairly busy road, we did not find the traffic noise a problem as we kept the windows shut at night and the air-conditioning worked a treat.

We would really recommend staying at this Hotel, and we would stay there again without a second thought upon our return to Florence.

A great hotel!

Good value 3 Start hotel in the centre of Florence

The hotel is very easy to find with the number 26 bus arriving directly in front of the hotel.

The hotel itself was very clean, with amazing view of the Arno river and the Pont Vechio bridge. The view also looked out on the Boboli Gardens which were very nice.

It's location was also ideal as it was about 2-3 minutes away from the major sites. The staff were helpful and polite. Breakfast was your typical continental style.

We stayed for 3 nights and thought it was very comfortable and worth the price that we paid.

Wonderful 4 Night Stay

We just completed a 4 night stay at the Balestri and it was wonderful. We had two rooms, a twin and a double, both were spacious, comfortable, clean, with large bathrooms and comfortable beds. Oh, and we had lovely views of the Arno from our windows which opened easily for viewing. The rooms we're on the street side, and some might say a little noisey with the windows open, but I say that is just part of the Itailian experience. ( with the windows closed it was quite )

Marco and the rest of the staff were very pleasent and helpful. We asked for help with several dinner reservations and when we came back to the room after a day of sightseeing, they would tell us of our confirmed reservations.

The Balestri has a great location. Less than five minutes from Santa Croce, the Uffizi Gallery, and most Florence sights are within a ten minute walk.

I would stay at the Balestri again and highly recommend it to all.

Familiar and very central location.

Situation:

The hotel has a very central location. but it's a quiet.

Installations:

Small hotel in a old building, but with good installations.

Clean and huge rooms. Modern bathroom but pour and old decoration in the rooms. Very nice living rooms.

Not all the rooms with views to the river.

Our room had shower and bathtub.

Parking possibility with extra charge (18 Eur per day).

Staff:

Very useful and friendly.

Definitively I would return.

Family Friendly

We were a family of 4 traveling for 2 weeks in Italy, and we really enjoyed our 3 night stay at the Balestri. The management accommodated our request for rooms overlooking the Arno, rooms that were good size and very clean. The location is walking distance to museums, churches, and the Ponte Vecchio. Marco and the other front desk staff were very helpful with various requests, and at breakfast Mario made some of the best coffee we had the entire trip. Nice continental breakfast. Rooms overlooking the Arno also overlook a noisy street, but the view was worth it. Excellent value. Our favorite hotel of the trip.

Huge room with a view

The Hotel Balestri is spacious. Large bathroom. Very clean. Close to everything. The hotel also has internet access. Request a room facing the Arno River.

Alright--good price

alright hotel, however very cheap (at least when i booked it.) Ask for a room with the Arno view. Location central, close to all the main piazza'a and Ponte Vecchio.