More about La Casa del Garbo
Absolutely great stay
by TripAdvisor Member SwissTraveler1977
This was the best of the 3 hotels with visited on our 10 days Italy honeymoon. Perfect location, great service, beautifull room (really beautifull: view on one of the cities main squares, very nice furniture, new bathroom but kept in traditional style, confortable bed). Virgillio who is looking after the place was really nice, friendly and helpfull. The place is not cheep (150 Euros per night) but if you can afford it, it is deffinitely worth staying there. We will for sure return to teh Casa del Garbo on our next trip to Florence.
Dream like atmosphere
by TripAdvisor Member Bluehorizon48
Absolutely loved Casa Del Garbo....a beautiful home away from home in Florence. To start off the location is perfect, probably the best in Florence, on the beautiful Piazza Signoria, across from the Uffizi and the statue of David. The room was lovely, the atmosphere at the B+B I believe (I don't think it's a hotel) warm and comfortable. The room though I believe I had one of the smallest rooms there, was elegant and very comfortable. When I entered the place with my own key from Piazza Signoria I felt like I was living in Florence in my own Palazzo!
Free internet access, very able and charming staff--
Only a few notes on improvement: breakfasts aren't exactly what Americans like to eat--croissants, proscutto, cheese--and would love to be able to make tea at any hour--access to the kitchen stove would be nice.
Gem on the Piazza della Signorina
by A TripAdvisor Member
We spent three nights at Casa del Garbo in the Gemma Suite, and it was outstanding. The room looked exactly as it does on the CdG website.
We arrived on Anniversario di Liberazione (the April 25 celebration of Italy's liberation from the Nazis), so the Piazza was hopping from morning till the wee hours. However, the suite had excellent windows, and we were never disturbed by any of the revelers.
Virgilio, who prepares the breakfast and is otherwise as helpful as can be, was delightful. The breakfast was fruit, juice, croissants and other breads, as well as ham and cheese. It was just right to get us started for the day.
The suite is beautiful and had an amazing multi-head two-person shower that was lots of fun. There was a two-person dining table with a kettle and teabags, but no coffee, so take your own if you can't wait until the 8:00 AM breakfast is served.
There is a computer in the breakfast room for guests' use, or if you travel with your own notebook, as we did, Virgilio will get you set up with a network cable in your room.
There is no elevator and the rooms are on the first (second to us Americans) floor, but, frankly, with all the eating we did in Italy we were grateful for the stairs. However, if you have mobility issues, this may not be the place for you.
There are numerous restaurants around the Piazza, but only one had really great food at a great price. It's the last one on the same side as CdG and is the furthest establishment from the door of the B & B. We ate at three others around the Piazza and they were fine, albeit touristy, but the food wasn't excellent and they were a bit overpriced, we thought.
From the train station, it's a 10-minute or less taxi ride to Casa del Garbo and although the Piazza is basically a traffic-free zone, the cab will bring you right to the door.
It was lovely feeling as though we were staying in our own little place in Florence, rather than being in a big hotel. The service and price were terrific, and we recommend it highly.
Great Hotel, Fantastic Location
by TripAdvisor Member csuosu
We stayed at La Casa del Garbo for three nights from June 29 until July 2nd. The hotel could not be more conveniently located. It is right on the Piazza del Signoria which is the center of Florence. We were steps from the Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi. We were traveling with another couple and we had the Elenora Room and the Gemma Room. Both rooms were fantastic. They were extremely clean and large even by American standards. The only downside to the hotel is that, as a historic building, it has no lift/elevator. We were fortunate because we only had to carry our bags to the 2nd floor, but if you are any higher, it could be tough to get your bags up. We had help getting our bags down when it was time to leave. The breakfast in the morning was served in a large dining room right outside our door. It was very convenient and good. They also provided free internet access through a computer that is kept in the dining room. This hotel was very good and I highly recommend it for any trip to Florence.
It doesn't get any better than this
by TripAdvisor Member Sueclive
Casa de Garbo is one of those places most travellers dream about but rarely experience. Perfect. We've stayed there twice now and will be back early in 2009. Cleanliness is outstanding, helpfulness and friendliness great, the apartments and rooms are brilliant. All services close by and all of Old Florence quite literally at your front door - some days you may not even get out of the Piazza della Signoria. From the windows in our apartment, Leonardo, we can see David, Lorenzo de Medici, the Uffizi, Cellini's Perseus and the other sculptures in La Loggia. If you are there over Easter, the traditional procession starts under your window. A ten minute stroll and you can be on the Ponte Vecchio or the Duomo.
Our host Simonetta and her staff are exceptional, there is just nothing more needs be said, except 'exceptional'.
If you are thinking about Casa del Garbo as a place to stay while in Florence, don't hesitate, you will never, ever regret it. We're more than happy to talk with any travellers thinking about staying here to give our thoughts based on our experience, but you ought to be able to work out by now that we rather like the place. A LOT.
Clive and Sue, Australia
A rare gem
by TripAdvisor Member Colin330
Before arrival I had contacted the Casa del Garbo for help to overcome the obvious difficulties of arriving by car, directions in negotiating the one-way system and have somewhere to park for 4 days. The rapid and helpful email responses on these and other queries from both Giovanna and Martina was exactly how I found them on arrival: welcoming, courteous, friendly and extremely helpful. I had the first floor room ‘Eleonora’. It’s spacious and tastefully and individually furnished with style. Friends stayed in the next room ‘Gemma’ which is equally, if not better furnished. The bathroom is also spacious with a luxury feel to it and an ultra modern shower system with a head the size of dinner plate! Fabulous. Views from what proved to be an surprisingly quiet location over the Piazza della Signora and directly opposite the Palazzo Vecchio are magical and provide a unique atmosphere to your stay that’s adds up to a truly rare experience. Breakfast, though more limited in choice then most hotels offer, is served to you at the table you share with the other guests. A nice touch. A request for some laundry to be done was completed the same morning at modest cost. Free access to the internet is available. The convenience of staying in a such a central location cannot be overstated and makes it so very easy to return to base in-between visits to all the sights and shops etc, not to mention the ease with which you can stroll to any of the endless choice of restaurants on offer. I can’t imagine anyone choosing to stay in this small, fully renovated, and intimate place and in such a historic location, could possibly be disappointed. Older or infirm guests who may have difficulty in negotiating stairs or with their bags should note there is no lift. For everyone else, it’s as near perfect as you are ever likely to get.
Absolutely perfect!
by TripAdvisor Member rosevictoria
We were so pleased with our stay and would stay again - absolutely. Location is perfect. Gentleman that prepares breakfast is exceptional. Breakfast was fresh and good. Professionally run with obvious and well deserved pride.
next to perfect
by TripAdvisor Member xm07
spend 4 nights in the lovely house during October
I can find virtually no fault at all, maybe except the lack of a lift, but hey...what do you expect from a totally renovated but still traditional house in the dead centre of Firenze?
all the personnel there tried their best to make our stay unforgettable (Giovanna Elvira, Tomaso and Virgilio) and I have to deeply thank them.
the room (Eleonora) was very well spaced out (the bathroom almost brand new with the nice touch of jet shower) and had definitely a glimpse of luxury
luck was that our stay was in the mid weekdays and had had the whole 1st floor by ourselves
only a couple of points to look after: the breakfast could be a bit richer -however no major complaints there-, and secondly since we had well informed that our stay was part of our honeymoon, a touch of flowers or a small bottle of prosecco could highlight an otherwise excellent hospitality
all in all defo a favourite little spot all over Italy
Great stay in Florence
by TripAdvisor Member pdx_am
We loved our stay at this little hotel. It is convenient to all of the sights. It was very hot when we were in Florence, and being able to take a cool siesta without trekking to an out of the way hotel really kept us going. The breakfast is great, including a variety of fruit, pastry and cold cuts. The staff is very friendly and helpful as well. The room and bathroom were spacious. There was some noise from the square, but the only thing that woke me up was the garbage trucks picking up garbage, and from what I saw, that goes on around the clock on every street in central Florence anyway.
A hidden Gem in Florence, fantastic location
by TripAdvisor Member GBJWoking
We found this accomodation via tripadvisor.
The property is tucked away in the corner of a very popular piazza within easy reach of all attractions.
For a city Centre break the room was fantastic the bedroom was large with double bed and a sofa which also converted into another comfortable double bed, DVD, TV & tea making bits. The hidden gem was a door to our own private lounge with dining table, larger sofa, arm chair and direct view of the piazza.
Breakfast was a communal affair, all guests sat around a large dining table that was set with ham, cheese, fruit, breads etc. drinks served by the waiter, was a really nice opportunity to chat to the other guests.
Would absolutly recommend to anyone going to Florence
Photos
Santa Croce, Michelangelo's Tomb
Italian Treats
Stained glass at the Cathedral
Basilica di Santa Croce (Florence, Italy)
Forum Posts
Fencing Anyone?
by newyorker20
The Italians are very good fencers. They also have excellent fencing equipment. Would love to buy fencing equipment in Florence. Does anyone know where the store(s) are? Thanks
Re: Fencing Anyone?
by lagodicomo
Not seen any on my travels here...but Salle Paul in London make the best if u want the best....even the Italians buy from there. I've just got rid of mine or you could have had them.
Best of luck
Re: Fencing Anyone?
by AprilTwoCats
There are fencing schools in Florence, http://www.raggetti.it and http://www.accademia-schermistica-fiorentina.it/nostro-sport.htm They might be able to help you.
There's also a Palestra di Scherma, Via Baracca Francesco, 133, Firenze (FI) - +39 055 4376792. I can't figure out if this is a school or a fencing equipment store.
There seems to be an Italian national fencing web site, but my Italian isn't good enough to figure out if equipe is sold through the site: http://www.schermaonline.com/
Negrini is in Verona--will you be going that way? http://www.negrini.com/
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