A Calm Haven in Bustling Florence at Hotel L’Orologio Firenze

After a long day of sightseeing, museum walking and plenty of eating, Hotel L’Orologio Firenze is a serene urban oasis in Florence. Though it’s surrounded by bars and restaurants and lies steps away from arts and cultural venues, walking into the hotel feels like putting on a white noise machine. The city fades away and you can really relax in the midst of the bustle.

Family-Friendly Review of Hotel L’Orologio Firenze

It was a hot Tuscan day as I stepped out of Firenze Maria Santa Novella train station. After the hubbub of getting out of Rome (people yelling and running around, tourists dragging unwieldy suitcases — you can picture the chaos) and the crowded train to Florence, I was ready to sit somewhere quiet for a moment and relax. A 10-minute walk through the scenic Piazza Santa Maria Novella later, I stepped into the cool marble lobby of L’Orologio Firenze and took a deep breath.

Location

One of the hotel’s major attractions is its location. Situated right in the heart of Piazza Santa Maria Novella with the namesake basilica just a few steps away, it’s ideally positioned within easy reach of the major attractions. It’s a few minutes’ stroll to the Duomo and the Piazza della Signoria, where you can enjoy the local street life while you munch on a classic Florentine panino. The Uffizi Galleries sit just off the piazza, and other sights like the Galleria dell’Accademia and the Piazzale Michelangelo (a must for a sunset gelato) are an easy walk away.

The hotel is one of a trio of L’Orologio properties in Florence, Rome and Venice, all with a timepiece theme to reflect the owner’s love of fine watches (“orologio” translates to “clock” in Italian). Next door is the lovely Hotel Santa Maria Novella, also part of the same hotel group, a wonderful property with an even more wonderful rooftop bar that’s perfect for aperitivi after a long day of sightseeing. This area of Florence is famous for its rooftop terraces that offer a beautiful view over the skyline. If rooftops aren’t your scene, there are plenty of other places to unwind in and around Piazza Santa Maria Novella, including several good gelato spots.

Accommodations

With only five floors, L’Orologio Firenze maintains a quiet and serene environment well suited for families or smaller groups. It features assorted single, double and family rooms; the two family suites on the top floor include a lovely terrace from which you can see the Duomo.

I was a bit early for check-in, but the staff were happy to accommodate and even upgraded me to a spacious double room with a king bed and a massive marble bathroom. Each room comes standard with conveniences like still and sparkling water refreshed daily, turndown service and a kettle with tea and coffee. My room also featured two lovely street-facing French windows that I could open at night to enjoy a fresh breeze and shut when I wanted peace and quiet. The rooms overall have the charm of a Tuscan villa with the comfort of modern amenities.

Dining

Breakfast is served in an upper-floor solarium full of natural light. The buffet-style meal includes plenty of options, from local cheeses, meats and pastries to yogurts, cereal and ample fresh fruit. Coffee (both American-style and espresso drinks) and mimosas are kept stocked to fuel your day of exploration.

Just off the lobby is a street-level bar that serves drinks, snacks and small meals with both indoor and outdoor seating. I loved enjoying a crisp refreshment here after a long day of walking around — it’s a great spot for people-watching.

Amenities

The hotel is incredibly family-friendly and loves to host families with young children. They provide stuffed animals and imaginatively folded towels to delight young ones, as well as organic baby care products, coloring books and colored pencils. Additionally, the bar serves a fun mocktail for kiddos.

For adults, the included toiletries smell lovely and feel luxurious on the skin. In classic L’Orologio style, I found a plate of fresh fruit and a handwritten welcome note in my suite upon arrival.

Downstairs, guests can access a small gym (in case you don’t get enough exercise walking around) and a sauna. All you have to do is ask the front desk to heat up the sauna for you a few minutes ahead if you’d like to sweat out your libations from the night before.

Local Sightseeing and Excursions

In addition to the big-ticket attractions already mentioned, you can take a short walk across the Arno River to the less-touristed Oltrarno neighborhood. Have a meal at one of the small, hole-in-the-wall trattorias filled with locals, or rent a bike and ride along the river at sunset.

The more rural areas of Tuscany are not to be missed, and if you have time it’s well worth at least a day trip beyond Florence. Small towns are easily accessible by train or car (I especially enjoyed Lucca, a quick day trip by train). The hotel can provide recommendations, or Ciao Bambino’s Family Travel Advisors can design an itinerary for you as part of their full vacation planning service.

Families Should Know

A veritable cadre of kind and exceptionally helpful hotel staff will help you get your bearings and share bar and restaurant recommendations. They went above and beyond to ensure my comfort during my stay; the concierge was wonderful about answering my questions and giving me a map to help with navigating the city.

Florence overall feels quite safe, with plenty of tourists walking around at all hours. The neighborhood can be quite busy at night, but I found that even in my street-facing room, the multiple levels of blackout curtains blocked all noise and light. I was easily able to turn in before 10 pm and fell asleep quickly.

Relevant Links:

Browse all family-friendly destinations and accommodations in Italy on Ciao Bambino

52 things to know before traveling to Italy with kids

What to do in Florence with kids

Tips for visiting Florence’s Duomo and Campanile with kids

10 beautiful places to discover on a Tuscany family vacation

The best things to do in Lucca with kids

Photos courtesy of Hotel L’Orologio Firenze except where noted.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.