One of my favorite squares in Florence is the Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, because one of the most lovely churches of the city is located here, the Basilica of the Most Holy Annunciation. All of the XVI century buildings that surround the square are so beautiful and have so much historical weight that you can imagine my excitement when staying at the Hotel Loggiato dei Serviti, originally built as a hostel for the Servite Order.
Let’s start with the location…
The hotel has a privileged location just behind the Gallery of the Academy of Florence, where the famous David by Michelangelo sculpture is located. Also -as mentioned at the beginning-, it is next to the Basilica of the Most Holy Annunciation, around the corner from Piazza San Marco and 5 minutes from the Duomo.
How is the hotel?
The furniture, although from another era, is old and it shows, but it is part of what gives so much character to this hotel. For example, you can see the passing of the years in the armchairs at the reception and at the bar, in the lamps and in the decoration of the lobby, which by the way has a very nice wooden reception, that probably has been there for quite some time.
The facilities in general are beautiful, because the hotel retains its essence with its high vaulted ceilings, the somewhat gloomy stairs, the corridors and especially the rooms.
When we entered our room, which was very large with a high ceiling and a high bed, I was struck by two doors that looked as if they were going to lead you to some secret passageway. I imagined how my siblings would have liked to create their mystery stories in this hotel. But no, I opened them and found a closet with a small window in one and a safe with blankets in the other one. The hotel is old, but it has been adapted with current amenities.
In fact, the bathroom was renovated and we had air conditioning, extremely important because the heat is terrible in summer. But the best thing was that one of our windows overlooked a beautiful courtyard of a mansion and the other one had an amazing view onto the Duomo.
Services
The fact that the hotel is old doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice the comforts of the modern world, because it has TV, WiFi, elevator, safe, bathrobes and everything you expect from a hotel. It also offers buffet breakfast.
What makes it so special?
We had a phenomenal service, the staff was very friendly, but above all I loved the feeling that I was staying in a place where so many travelers have passed through during all those centuries with thousand different stories. And I liked that somewhat gloomy air that even forced me to ask the question that surely many curious guests have asked before: are there ghosts here? To which the young lady at the reception replied smiling: “There have been guests who said that they felt that someone was touching them.” I am not sure if she said this to give me my side, because I love those stories and I think she noticed that, but deep down I was grateful that I was not scared by anyone.
What travelers do I recommend it to?
The ones who like historical places and hotels with a lot of character. And the travelers who want to return and tell that their lodging was a really important part of the travel experience.
*Thanks to the Hotel Loggiato dei Serviti for its friendly hospitality.
If you want to travel to Italy and would like me to organize your trip or event through our travel agency Tripdreaming, contact me at silvia.lucero@tripdreaming.com.
For editorial questions, please contact me at silvia.lucero@latrotamundos.com.
