We stayed here for a week in June. The location of the hotel is excellent,being central and is within easy walking distance of most of the major attractions. We found the staff helpful and the service prompt. The room was cleaned daily, the linen and towels clean and of a good standard. Problems, there were several, 1. The room was noisy - due to the hotels location, it is an Italian city. 2. The air-conditioning was obtrusive, especially at night. 3. The hotel corridors occasionally smelled of drains,although this was far from uncommon in Florence. 4. The bedroom needed repainting and the plastering repaired. 5. The en-suite bathroom was small, some of the fittings were cracked and the toilet seat did not fit the pan. 6. The shower rose had 2 positions, waist level and out of reach! 7. Breakfast food was not up to 4* standard, we have had much better food and choice in 2* accommodation. 8. The coffee machine in the breakfast room confused everyone, no matter what nationality, and was certainly not up to Italian coffee standards as far as taste was concerned. 9. Generally, the hotel was some what faded and in need of redecoration. Would we stay there again? Probably - but only because of the location and it would need to be considerably cheaper, we booked through Thomsons, other agents may of course have lower rates.

Shocked at the 'not caring attitude' of the staff and management. During our stay it got quite warn and needed to put the aircondition on BUT it was not yet June so the A/C doesn't work!! It seems that the rates one pays in May do not include aircondition!! Great location but inside all sucks.

6 of us stayed at the Fenice Palace June 17-19. We booked this hotel due to it's great location and on that note we were not dissapointed. Very close to the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio but Florence is a great walking city anyway. I must say the street noise in our second floor rooms made sleep almost impossible and the air conditioning was weak and noisy, not acceptable for the prices we paid. Bathroom in our room (209 I think) was very basic with a miserable shower and hardly enough room to turn around. I know it's Europe but a shower stall would be much better than a flimsy curtain that sticks to you and allows water to drench the floor every time you bathe. Staff was generally pleasant and tolerant of my weak attempts at Italian. Check in and check out were painless and efficient. I just wish our complaints about the AC had at least been met with empathy. I think there are probably better hotels available but as this was our first trip to Italia I have no idea where they are. We will travel here again because it is a wonderful city. We will stay elsewhere however. Ciao!

The Duomo is virtually the centre of Florence and the hotel is only a few metres away from it so you never get lost getting back, just follow the signs for the Duomo! The hotel may not be in the first flush of youth but it was very clean, the bed was comfortable and the staff were both friendly and helpful, giving worthwhile advice on eating out and prebooking museums etc. Our room was on the first floor and was spacious with a comfortable bed(extra pillows supplied within minutes) and a good size bathroom. There was a safe, a minibar and fully functioning flat screen tv. Because of the central location there is a bit of noise during the night even with the windows closed (it is air conditioned) but that comes with the location. The hotel catering is basically breakfast only but you can get a coffee or a drink in the evening at the little bar. During the day there are plenty of places nearby to snack or drink. If you are fit and don't have too much baggage you can walk to the Central station, you don't need a taxi but it is about 7 euros if you do.

I am shocked that this hotel carries a 4 star rating!!! This rating has made me question the formula used for all Italian hotels in general. To call it a cesspit is being kind !!! The carpets are badly stained, dirty and threadbare. The rooms are dark, dingy and the toilet seats don't even fit the pan !!! The list is endless. Worse still is the dank dirty smell in the corridors. I realise that this is an ancient city but there is no excuse for blatant misrepresentation. It is an insult and a con to expect guests to stay in what they are lead to believe is a 4 **** hotel. One of rooms used by my party had a huge gaping hole in the wall by the bed with electrical wires exposed!! Unbelieveable !! Adding insult to injury the ceiling was also leaking !!! The staff seemed unfazed by other guests complaints giving the distinct impression that they "had heard it all before" and there was no motivation to correct problems as guests would be staying there for short periods only. The whole place is shabby, grubby, dingy and tacky. Avoid it if you can. If you can't because it is already included in your itinerary, ask your travel agent to be moved to a different hotel.