We booked two nights at this hotel and were very disappointed. First I would like to say that the lady that greeted us at the desk was absolutely lovely. She was so helpful and very kind and I couldn't have asked for better reception. We were disappointed with the location and the cleanliness of the rooms. The location is less than desirable and not a good location to bring children. There is no water pressure and the blow dryer is completely inadequate. When my friend went to take a shower, there was hair in the shower from the previous guests. We left the hotel the next morning to go on a day trip and upon our return, there were still dirty dishes, dirty towels in the bathroom. It was on the day trip that I learned about the hair in the shower and we called and booked another hotel to stay at. We left this hotel early, even though I had to pay the entire stay (per policy..could not argue that..it was only right) but we were happy to stay elsewhere. Frankly, I'm surprised this is in Rick Steve's book as he had not led us wrong before this hotel. It is ok if you are on a tight budget and again, the staff is very very helpful.

We booked the Hotel Basilea based on Rick Steve's Italy 2007 book. He classifed it as a typical 3-star hotel. Oh my, does he have some things to learn about what a 3-star hotel is. First the lift would only hold one person and one suite case. Once we entered the room, which had a very musty smell I could not believe my eyes. The room was exceptionally small - as I started to look around the room I saw ripped/torn wallpaper, dirty walls, heavily soiled carpets and chair. We had booked for 3 nights and I told my husband (through my tears) that I did not know how I could spend 3 nights in the room - it made my skin crawl. I went to the bathroom to get a tissue to find the floor filthty with remands of the previous guests - the towels from the previous guest had not been changed - their dirty towels still hung on the towel bar and the trash from their stay was still in the trash can. My husband immediately went out to find someone to help. While he was out all I could do was sit on the edge of the bed and cry. I decided to check the bedding and when I pulled backed the pillow case I saw tiny spots of blood from the bed bugs. Fortunately my husband found a travel agent two doors from the hotel who was able to book us into the Grand Hotel Baglioni (which turned out to be a 10 in our book-highly recommend). The travel agent called us a cab to take us there. In all of our travels, and we travel a lot, I have never been in a place so thoroughly disgusting.

We stayed here only for a night but its really beautiful...the room is clean and everything is nice most especially the staffs whose working here...they will really entertain you very well... This is really a good choice and Im very much willing to recommend this to all those who are looking for somewhere to stay regarding the fact that is has also reasonable/affordable price...

I stayed in this hotel when I went with EF Tours my senior year of high school. I loved this hotel! It was one of the best that we stayed in! I found the service great and the fact that you could walk from the hotel to anywhere was an added plus, since that was one of the few places that we were allowed to have free time. I thought that breaksfast was really good and the few that we had from where we ate breakfast was fantastic! I hope to stay there again in the future.

There was a mix up with my reservation at this hotel. I called several times from California to ensure I'd have a room for 2 nights. The hotel was only able to accomodate me for 1 night but said would try hard for a 2nd night. Since I never got a response I booked 1 night with their sister Hotel Ritz, Florence. When I identified myself and asked the hotel's front attendant if there was a vacancy, he (without checking) rudely said "NO!" to any possible vacancies. I left Hotel Basilea to Hotel Ritz only to find out Hotel Ritz cancelled my reservation because they claimed a person who was to check out the day I was to have this room, had gotten sick and the hotel couldn't give me this room. This sounded like a like lies. The Hotel Ritz sent me to another hotel so I had to take my luggage away to start all over again when I did have a confirmation of this reservation at the Hotel Ritz. Based on this bad experience I will never stay at Hotel Basilea/Hotel Ritz if I visit Florence in the future. I write this review only to help other travelers who visit Italy for 1st. time. and don't know.