Where do I start? There is so much to say and all of it positive. I stayed a few weeks during August and September. There was not a single negative thing I could say about the apartment or the hospitality.
I remember when I was evaluating the apartment before booking it thinking that the 5 star reviews couldn’t be based on reality. If you are thinking the same thing, let me assure you, there is nothing fake about them. This home is like the four seasons but better, no one is hovering and watching.
I got to experience Florence and Florentine living (without having to cook) and for that I am grateful to Gianfranco and his endless care. Here are a couple of examples:
1. My flight was delayed and arrived late. I was alone and worried a little about the taxi situation. Gianfranco and his wife came and picked me up and even waited for me at the terminal.
2. On my birthday they bought me a cake and dropped it off! They did all that whole they had a number of personal things to take care of. They definitely prioritize their guests.
A few points to help make your stay even more enjoyable:
1. If Gianfranco offers to take you on a tour of the city, don’t hesitate, say yes! His uncle donated a collection of some rare objects to the Bergello. Take Gianfranco as your guide, you won’t regret it!
2. His house book has a lot of good recommendations. I created a list my first night at the apartment and hit them one by one over the next few weeks. I used the list feature on Maps (the ones by G**gle - Airbnb doesn’t allow me to write that name out 😕
3. The kitchen has everything you need. Including spices and vinegar.
4. The house has all the cleaning supplies you need and plenty of shampoo and soap.
5. The quality of the furnishings and and linen was high.
6. Plenty of room in the wardrobes and enough hangers for an extensive stay and all the stuff that might come with that (don’t overpack like I did).
7. I gave up on figuring out how to use the dryer after my second use and just started using the two racks that are in the laundry room.
8. I opened the windows one night to get some cool air in but mosquitoes got in and I was ravaged while sleeping. I never opened the windows after that unless it was for a quick shutter open or close. To be honest, Gianfranco provided me with the anti mosquito air capsules and even offered to get me spray but I declined. The AC worked really well.
9. The street can get loud, the echo between the buildings turns even a normal conversation into the equivalent of a shouting one (great acoustics!). I had read about that in another review so I brought my G**gle Home device with me and had it play white noise every night. After the first night when I forgot to turn it on, I never heard a peep again.