This historic apartment was very well located in the lovely streets of Florence. We found ourselves no more than 10 minutes walk to anywhere we wanted to access. And you will want to explore all the shops, galleries, restaurants and the river at your doorstop. Public transport is readily available but make the most of the walkable access, and immerse yourself in the colourful, local energy.
Entry with the wi-fi key was super-easy and allowed for all 4 of us to come and go throughout our stay as we pleased. This was very handy for our shopping excursions. The lift allowed us to shift our luggage up to the second floor quickly on check-in day. The space was very clean and organised. There were many mornings we’d open up the giant windows to flood the large living space with gentle sunlight, and enjoy our morning cuppas on the comfortable leather couches.
The showers in these old apartments can sometimes be variable with temperature and pressure. I suggest you stagger shower times in your group to avoid drops in water pressure. Gaia and Pietro were very responsive to my shower query. I messaged them about the shower situation and they sent a man to check the boiler. The showers are very compact and for a tall, broad person like myself, manoeuvring was required to maximise the shower experience. The showers might be a deal-breaker for some renters? However, having talked to the locals, it seems that concise bathrooms with variable water pressure is an accepted characteristic of these historic buildings. We adjusted our expectations accordingly.
The streets are lively in the evenings so if you are a light sleeper, use one of the two upstairs rooms rather than the mezzanine sofa-bed.
Our group was comprised of 2 people in their late forties, and 2 people in their early fifties. 2 people in our group had minor mobility issues (compromised knee, weak ankle). While the lift allowed them to avoid most of the stairs, there are still a few stairs to the front door you will need negotiate. Similarly, there are internal stairs up to the sleeping quarters; you must be sure-footed to safely use these. Again, lots of stairs are characteristic of these old buildings, and not necessarily a drawback. If you are free of mobility issues, you will not be bothered by this.
There is a PAM supermarket and Conad convenience store close to the apartment. You can get water and groceries here for your stay.
Again, Gaia and Pietro were great hosts; communication was clear and quick, and they helped wherever they could. They had a booklet of information of recommendations for us. (Buca Dell Orafo for lunch or dinner is an excellent recommendation from our hosts). The apartment is beautiful. We had a great time in Florence!