I’ll start with the positives. You can’t beat this location. There was a lot of space and a lot of character. Theiretically, this is a really cool place that can accommodate a lot of people.
But there were a lot of problems here. First, before we booked, we asked the host if the internet was strong enough to support a couple of video calls we needed to do while in Florence. He assured us it was good. It was not.
More problematic, our daughters slept in two separate beds and both woke up each morning with bites all over their bodies. We think there were bed bugs. Maybe fleas. Either way, that’s not what you want in your accommodations.
Additionally, the host didn’t respond to messages. We couldn’t find pillows for one bed or enough towels. We eventually found them, but no thanks to our host, who didn’t respond until the day we left.
The apartment itself had very limited features. It would be nearly impossible to cook in that kitchen. There is no coffee maker. There are barely any dishes—nothing a quick, cheap trip to IKEA wouldn’t fix. And although there is a washer and dryer, they can’t be used together or the power goes out.
My family and I have stayed in many airbnbs all over Europe. I have never left a bad review. We can overlook the kitchen stuff or the Wi-Fi if the trade off is the location. But the bug situation is not good. We left two days ago, but our kids are still dealing with these bites.
My encouragement here is to know what you’re getting into. The location can’t be beat, but that’s about all you’re getting.