I'll try to make this very useful.
In order, here are the best and worst things about this AirB&B:
But first, the basics:
• Master bed (King) is hard and flat, but I slept better than expected on it.
• Shower has good pressure and stays warm.
• Overall, the place seemed clean.
• The keys are very tricky; my advice is to not use the deadbolt unless you've practiced thoroughly.
• We were here on 80+ degree days; with no AC, it stayed surprisingly cool
• Grocery store and laundromat, both within 4-6 min walk. Very pleased with the proximity and neighborhood.
• Vanni was quick to respond, on-time, and showed us the basics of the apartment.
<<< The Good >>>
1) VERY SPACIOUS. For the price, wow, this is a very large apartment. Could sleep 5 adults, even a 6th on a couch. Two bathrooms, though side-by-side. Large dinner table, tall ceilings... this place is easily the size of 3 or 4 hotel rooms.
2) EVERYTHING YOU NEED. Great wi-fi, nice appliances, Nespresso machine, everything worked with the exception of a clothes steamer. Lots of useful extras, some provided/some left behind by other tenants (like olive oil, spices, coffee, detergent, cotton swabs, iron, hair dryer, universal plug adaptor, etc.) Only one TV but it can be easily moved to a bedroom and used with a Chromecast. Some fixtures work but need attention (like the wobbly sinks in the master bath and the toilet seat in the second bathroom.) Has a washer but no dryer, just drying racks on the terrace. Laundromat down the way will dry a load for 25 mins for 4 euro. Walk anywhere (museums, stores, river) in 2–10 minutes.
3) CHARACTER. Massive windows let you lean out and watch the street below. The apartment had an authentic, old feel. An older kid/teenager would love the tiny, secluded bedroom that hides between the two staircases leading up to the terrace; almost like a treehouse hideaway. That said, I wouldn't say the apartment is exactly cozy. Lots of marble, step-ups into rooms, couch is not super comfortable, etc. Could be tough for very little kids.
<<< The Bad >>>
1) MY GOD, THE AFTER-HOURS NOISE! This alone is unfortunately why I cannot recommend the apartment. The street noise makes it impossible to get a full night of sleep. I am a very heavy sleeper (sleep through thunderstorms, etc.) but even with closed windows and closed shutters, I woke up several times each night. The corridor the apartment sits on is essentially an echo-chamber that amplifies the sounds from an English pub a block away; young patrons yelling, singing, walking home, etc. until 4am. The walls/windows are just not insulated enough to dampen the sound (like most older, central Florence apartments I'm guessing.) We considered abandoning ship for a hotel, but stuck with it thanks to ear plugs... but even ear plugs didn't completely eliminate the noise. If you're okay sleeping with ear plugs, it's doable. Trust me, I'm not fussy, but this is definitely a tough place to get decent sleep.
2) TERRACE. I was pretty obsessed with finding an AirB&B with a terrace and I chose this one because it had a terrace with a Duomo view. I envisioned eating dinner out there or sipping my morning coffee, etc. However, we probably spent a total of 10 minutes on this terrace in the 4 days that we stayed there.
Two reasons: 1) there are two very long, steep staircases that lead up there; the idea of carrying up a cup of coffee or plate of food when you need at least one hand to stabilize you would only be worth it if the view was great. 2) But the view just wasn't that great. 80% of the view is the building across the street, and you can only see part of the Duomo if you peek around the edge. I would say the best use for this would be a great covered space for a smoker, but the staircases that lead up there would wear a smoker out.
3) STAIRS. Going up three flights is nothing. But after putting in 6-10 miles each day walking around the city, then going up those three flights multiple times a day – whew, very taxing. We're ages 35/36, in good shape, non-smokers, but the last one or two trips up each day were slow, brutal climbs. Not a deal-breaker, but anyone with even slight stair or asthma issues should be aware.