First of all, Elena is a fantastic host. Shes incredibly friendly and was quick to provide excellent recommendations for things to see or places to eat at in Florence. She was excited to hear about our days out and was always responsive to our needs. While our trip would have been great without her, she really made it perfect. I don't know if there are angels on earth, but if there are Elena would be one.
As for the room, it is very big! Much larger than a typical European apartment. We had our own bathroom which was also very nice. It's about a 30 minute walk to the historic center of Florence - shorter if you use the bus or a bike. The path you take there is very pretty though, and is a great way to experience some authentic food and shopping outside of the tourist areas.
Overall, we loved our stay and would love to come back!