Florence's Hidden Gem: Sette Angeli Guest House - Unforgettable Stay!
Florence's Hidden Gem: Sette Angeli Guest House - Unforgettable Stay!
Sette Angeli Guest House: My Florence Fantasy… Mostly! (A Review, Probably Honest)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average, perfectly polished hotel review. This is my Sette Angeli Guest House experience, raw, unfiltered, and probably a little too long. Florence, baby! And Sette Angeli, the "Hidden Gem." Lies? Truth? Let's find out!
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Accessibility: My Reality Check (and a Sigh of Relief)
First things first, because this is SUPER important for some of us: Accessibility. The website promised, the reviews hinted, and I, with my slightly-wonky knee, held my breath. Praise the heavens! Sette Angeli mostly delivered. The elevator was a lifesaver, considering my room was on the… uh… higher floor. (They don’t make it easy for your lazy bum to pick your room.) The ramp situation was decent, though I confess, I did once feel like Indiana Jones navigating the Temple of Doom while trying to find the breakfast buffet. (More on the breakfast later… good Lord.)
Wheelchair Accessible: They have a few rooms! But call and confirm. And double-check. And maybe triple-check. Just in case.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: I'd rate this a "maybe." Some areas were smoother than others. Seriously, don't be shy about asking for help. The staff, bless their hearts, were generally lovely and eager to assist, though their "accessible route" was often a winding adventure.
Internet: My Digital Lifeline (and Occasional Frustration)
Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms!: YES! Praise be! And it actually WORKED. Mostly. Sometimes. Look, I'm a digital nomad, okay? Wi-Fi is LIFE. And Sette Angeli’s connection was… reliable enough. I even managed to upload a few Instagram stories (because, obviously, everything is a potential Instagram story).
Internet [LAN]: Haven’t seen a LAN connection in donkey's years. They had it. I didn't use it. Moving on!
Internet Services: You could probably get whatever you need (printing, etc.) at the front desk. But honestly, I was too busy stuffing my face with… well, you'll see.
Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Yep. Same deal. Reliable…ish. Plan to maybe not rely on it for major Zoom calls.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Bliss (Almost!) and Florentine Frenzy
Let’s be blunt: Spa. They did all the right things.
Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness Center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with View, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: This is their thing. The spa area was gorgeous. The pool with a view? Stunning. I spent an entire afternoon there, pretending to be Audrey Hepburn. (I probably looked more like a slightly-sunburnt, food-obsessed sloth, but in my mind, I was a goddess.)
The steam room was… steamy. The sauna… well, it was hot. The massages were heavenly! A genuine taste of luxury. I highly recommend you check it out. But, again, book in advance. Don't make my mistakes.
Cleanliness and Safety: Germ Warfare (and Peace of Mind)
Okay, this is where Sette Angeli really shone. Especially given, y’know, everything that's been going on.
Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment… Seriously, they nailed it. I felt safe. Like, proper safe. It was reassuring (and a little excessive, but hey, can't fault them for trying!) The room felt squeaky clean, and I wasn’t constantly worried about catching something. Well played, Sette Angeli! Well played.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Food Adventures (and Occasional Disasters)
Right. Buckle up. Because this is where things get… interesting.
A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant… Okay, so the options were there. A veritable feast of choices!
The Breakfast Buffet: OH. MY. GOODNESS. This is where the "Hidden Gem" part really worked its magic… and sometimes fell flat on its face. There were days it was a glorious spread of everything imaginable – fresh fruit, pastries that practically melted in your mouth, eggs cooked every way possible. Other days… well, let’s just say I’ve had better continental breakfasts at a budget airport hotel. They have a pretty decent Western breakfast. Their Asian breakfast, though? Nope, not my cup of tea, or whatever the the authentic asian beverage of choice should be.
The Restaurants: The a la carte menu was pricey, but worth it. The bar was great for a pre-dinner cocktail (and, let's be honest, a post-spa cocktail). The pool-side bar was the perfect place for people-watching while sipping a Negroni. The snack bar was handy, especially after a long afternoon of exploring.
Room Service: 24-hour? YES PLEASE! Especially when you've spent the day wandering around Florence and are too tired to leave your room.
The Imperfection: My ONE huge complaint: The consistency of the breakfast was a rollercoaster. One morning, I was in foodie heaven. The next, a sad croissant and lukewarm coffee. But for the price? It's a crime to complain, really!
Services and Conveniences: From Luggage Storage to… Shrine?!
Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: They've covered all bases and then some.
Concierge: Always helpful, booking tours or making dinner reservations.
Daily Housekeeping: Impeccable. My room was always spotless.
Luggage storage: Easy peasy.
The Shrine: Yes, you read that right. There’s a tiny little shrine tucked away somewhere in the hotel. I stumbled upon it while exploring. (Don’t judge my exploring. It’s my job.) It was a bizarrely charming touch.
For the Kids: Family Fun (or a Quick Escape?)
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: I didn't have kids, so I didn't use these services. But I saw families there and the kids seemed happy enough. They have a pool, so I'm guessing, yes, family friendly.
Access, Getting Around & Safety: No Worries (Mostly)
CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailable, Pets allowed (not stated), Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms… They took security seriously!
Getting Around:
Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: They’ve got options. I mostly walked, because Florence, and gelato. The free parking was a bonus, but parking is limited, so get there early.
Available in All Rooms: Perks of Paradise (or at Least, Decent Digs)
**Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily
Escape to the Alps: Stunning 3-BR Edelweiss B31 Apartment in Morgins!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because this itinerary isn't a perfectly ironed Italian suit. This is more like a crumpled linen shirt I've fished out of a suitcase after a 24-hour travel odyssey. This is… human travel. This is Sette Angeli Guest House, Florence, with a side of chaos and a generous helping of "Did I pack clean socks?"
Florence, Italy - The Sette Angeli Saga (and Maybe Some Art)
Day 1: Arrival and the Agony of the Cobblestones
- 10:00 AM (ish) - Arrival at Florence Airport (FLR). Oh, the sheer joy of landing! Except, wait… where's my luggage? (Cue internal panic: did I pack the emergency chocolate? The comfy travel blanket? The important socks?!) After a brief, chaotic tango with the baggage claim conveyor belt (and some questionable Italian hand gestures), I find my bag, thankfully. Victory! Now, for the train…
- 11:30 AM - Train to Florence (Santa Maria Novella Station - SMN). A classic tourist move: trying to look effortlessly chic while wrestling a suitcase the size of a small refrigerator onto a packed train. Success! (Mostly. I may have accidentally tripped over a very stylish woman's perfectly placed Gucci handbag. Mortified. Luckily, she just gave me a withering look, not a full-blown "tourist" interrogation.)
- 12:30 PM - Check-in at Sette Angeli Guest House. Ah, home for a few days. The entrance is tucked away – a tiny door, easy to miss! I almost walked past it, too focused on the gelato shop across the street. (Priorities, people!) Finally, the warm welcome of the owner… probably a little too enthusiastic for my jet-lagged brain, but hey, I'll take it. Room's small, but charming. Reminds me of my grandma's attic, in the best possible way.
- 1:30 PM - The Great Cobblestone Challenge. Florence is beautiful. Also, a minefield for ankles. I swear, I've walked a marathon just getting to the Piazza della Signoria. My feet already feel like two overripe tomatoes. Every step is a test of balance, willpower, and a healthy dose of "Please don't break an ankle."
- 2:30 PM - Lunch Near the Ponte Vecchio. Found a tiny trattoria. Ate pasta. (Carbonara, naturally. Because, Italy.) The food was… good. Not life-changing, but definitely pasta. The real entertainment? Watching the tourists – the frantic photo-taking, the awkward selfie poses… it's a whole performance art piece.
- 4:00 PM - Exploring the Ponte Vecchio. OMG. The bridge! It's… actually real! I'd seen a million pictures, but being there, feeling the history, the crowds, the sheer gorgeousness of it all… it's overwhelming in the best way. Spent far too long window shopping at the jewelry stores, fantasizing about buying a ridiculously expensive ring. (Reality check: I'm on a budget. Maybe a postcard?)
- 6:00 PM - Exhaustion and Wine. Back at the hotel. Legs screaming. Took a nap. Woke up, realized I haven't eaten anything since the Pasta and need sustenance. Found a wine bar nearby. Ordered a small glass of vino rosso and stared out the window, wondering if I could possibly function tomorrow. The answer: Probably not.
Day 2: David, Duomo, and the Dreaded Crowds
- 9:00 AM - Attempt at Breakfast. Sette Angeli has a continental breakfast. Nothing fancy, but it’s free and there's coffee. Which is all I really need to function. (Though a croissant would be nice…)
- 10:00 AM - Accademia Gallery (David!). Okay, people, this is why we came to Florence. This thing… this David… is insane. Absolutely, mind-blowingly insane. The sheer scale of it. The detail! The… nakedness (ahem). I spent far too long staring, probably looking like a complete idiot. (Worth it.) The crowds, though… the crowds are a nightmare. Shoulder-to-shoulder, jockeying for a good view. I may have accidentally elbowed a small child. (Sorry, kid!)
- 12:00 PM - The Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore). The outside is impressive. The inside is… holy moly. Climb the dome. Everyone says this and I'm going to say it to you: do it. The views are worth the claustrophobia and the sheer verticality. But, yeah, I’m not going to lie. I spent half the time convinced I was going to fall. And the crowds again!
- 1:30 PM - Quick Snack (and Crowd Avoidance Strategy). Found a tiny panini shop tucked down a side street. The panini was delicious, a much-needed energy boost for the looming afternoon. I learned my crowd avoidance strategy: follow the locals, stay away from the obvious tourist traps, and embrace the side streets.
- 3:00 PM - Uffizi Gallery Attempts (and Failures). Okay, I tried to go to the Uffizi Gallery. (The Uffizi is full, you know.) The lines were insane, the queue was so long, and patience has completely left my body. I booked a ticket online for tomorrow, and instead…
- 4:00 PM - Wandering the Oltrarno. Ah, the Oltrarno. The "other side" of the Arno. This neighborhood is charming. Real. Less touristy. Found a leather market, spent way too much time fingering beautiful leather goods (bought a leather journal!). Got lost, on purpose. Finally felt I was in Florence, not just observing it.
- 7:00 PM - Pizza and Regret. Found a pizza place. (I've realized I'm fueled by carbs and caffeine.) Ate a whole pizza. (Don't judge. I walked all day!) Now, feeling the pizza coma hard. And the guilt. Should I have been more cultured today? More… art-y? Or maybe just eat a pizza at the end of the day? The answer, I decided, lay in the pizza.
Day 3: Art, Aperitivos, and the Flight Home (Maybe)
- 9:00 AM - Uffizi Gallery (Take Two!). Booked a timed entry so I could skip the line. And I did! (Hallelujah!) The Botticellis! The Leonardos! The sheer volume of Renaissance art is… a lot to process. I felt overwhelmed for most of the time. (Did I spend too much time staring at David, instead of all the other art?) Managed to get a good look at Birth of Venus, and Annunciation.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch (Again, Pasta). This time, a hidden gem recommended by a local. Pasta with truffle oil. Need I say more? Nope. I probably ate it too fast.
- 2:00 PM - Aperitivo Time! Okay, this is the Italian dream: Aperitivo. Basically, happy hour with snacks. Found a trendy bar, ordered an Aperol Spritz (orange, bubbly, perfect), and grazed on olives, little sandwiches, and other deliciousness. People-watching is a must. (The Italians have a certain je ne sais quoi about them. Even in the heat of the afternoon.)
- 4:00 PM - Last-Minute Souvenir Hunting. Panic mode. Gotta get gifts! Found some artisan shops (mostly by accident, got lost again). Bought a scarf for my mom, and a ridiculously cute ceramic cat for myself. No regrets.
- 6:00 PM - Pack. The Sad Part. Attempting to squeeze everything back into my suitcase. Still haven’t found those important socks. The hotel room looks like a bomb went off. Starting to feel a sense of dread.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner Before Departing. A final delicious meal at a restaurant nearby. (I forgot to take photos!)
- 9:00 PM - Heartbreak and Goodbyes. Taxi to FLR. The end. Or is it?
Final Thoughts:
Florence, you were chaotic, beautiful, exhausting, and utterly enchanting. I'm pretty sure I gained five pounds. I'm pretty sure I saw the real (and the touristy) Florence. I lost my way about a hundred times. I loved it. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. (And next time, I'm packing more socks.) Now, onto the next adventure… or maybe just a nap.
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Florence's Hidden Gem: Sette Angeli Guest House - Unforgettable (Mostly!) Stay - Let's Talk!
Okay, spill the tea! Is Sette Angeli *really* as dreamy as those Instagram posts make it out to be?
The location – is it *actually* central or a never-ending trek away from everything?
Tell me about the breakfast! Is it worth waking up for? (Because, let's be honest, I like my sleep.)
What's the vibe? Is it stuffy and formal, or more relaxed and friendly?
The rooms... are they as beautiful as the photos, or are we dealing with some serious 'expectation vs. reality'?
Any downsides? Be brutally honest!
Would you go back? And what would be the one thing you’d tell someone BEFORE they book?
Okay, let's get specific! What's the *best* room? (Assuming you've actually seen them all!)
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