£84.36 Avg/night
Rate and special offer based on Check-in 26 May 2013 Check-out 28 May 2013

Universo Hotel Florence

3 stars
Plazza Santa Maria Novella 20, Florence, 50123
Hotel Overview
Reviewer score
4.3
out of 5
11 reviews
Great place to stay in Florence

Very nice hotel in a great location near train station and within easy walking distance to all the... See full review

  • Anonymous
  • 10 Feb 2010
Great location, cool design, great price

Hip little designer hotel in the heart of Florence. Short walk to train station and very close to... See full review

  • Anonymous
  • 19 Nov 2009
Hip, urban look and feel just steps away from the main train station
Just down the street from the Santa Maria Novella Station and a short walk to Florence’s top cultural sites lies the Universo Hotel Florence, a sleek and modern space (think Ikea meets W Hotel) that’s all about style and space. The hip décor stands in sharp -- yet peaceful -- coexistence with the Florentine landscape just outside its doors, a refreshing contrast for those on a 3-star hotel budget who don’t want to skimp on cool.
Highlights
  • Recently redecorated
  • Sleek, contemporary design in sharp contrast to traditional 3-star hotels
  • Short walk from the Santa Maria Novella train station
Rooms
Completely refurbished in 2008, the Universo Hotel Florence’s 41 rooms are vibrant and cool, vibrant oases that stand in sharp contrast with the bustling urban landscape outside its doors. Rooms are equipped with private bathrooms and feature air conditioning, LCD TV, writing desk, direct dial telephone, Internet access (fees apply) and hair dryer.
Features
Just steps away from the Santa Maria Novella railway station and an easy walk to the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, and other top Florence sites lies the Universo Hotel Florence, a sleek, hip space of modern design (think Ikea meets W Hotel), a welcome contrast to city’s long list of indistinguishable 3-star properties. The hotel completed a refurbishment in 2008, leaving all 41 rooms in vibrant oases of character that provide a welcoming retreat for the weariest traveler. The hotel provides high-speed Internet access for a fee (on Mac computers -- naturally), as well as nearby parking facilities (fees apply).
Transportation
  • Florence Airport (5.8 mi/9.3 km)
  • Santa Maria Novella train station (0.2 mi/0.4 km)
Attractions
  • Ponte Vecchio (0.5 mi/0.8 km)
  • Duomo and Baptistery (0.5/0.8 km)
  • Michelangelo’s David (0.6 mi/1 km)
  • Uffizi Gallery (0.6 mi/1 km)

Universo Hotel Florence Rooms

Classic single room
The room offers one single bed. Classic single room have courtyard view- equipped with single beds Which includes air conditioning, private bathroom with shower, bathroom amenities, cable/ satellite TV, color TV, hairdryer, heating, Internet access, laundry service, writing desk, non smoking rooms and direct telephone.
Classic double room
The room offers 1 double or two single beds. Classic double room have courtyard view- equipped with large bed or two single beds Which includes air conditioning, private bathroom with shower, bathroom amenities, cable/ satellite TV, color TV, hairdryer, heating, Internet access, laundry service, writing desk, non smoking rooms and direct telephone.
Classic triple room
The room offers one double bed and one single bed or three single beds. Classic triple room have courtyard view- equipped with single beds Which includes air conditioning, private bathroom with shower, bathroom amenities, cable/ satellite TV, color TV, hairdryer, heating, Internet access, laundry service, writing desk, non smoking rooms and direct telephone.
Superior double room
The room offers one double or two single beds. Superior double room have courtyard view- equipped with single beds Which includes air conditioning, private bathroom with shower, bathroom amenities, cable/ satellite TV, color TV, hairdryer, heating, Internet access, laundry service, writing desk, non smoking rooms and direct telephone.

Amenities

  • High speed internet
General
Concierge
Pets allowed
Internet
High speed internet

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Reviewer score 4.0 out of 5
Reviewer score 4.1 out of 5
Reviewer score 4.1 out of 5

Hotel Map

43.7741 11.2501
Area served
Florence
Nearby airports
PSA Galileo Galilei International Airport.
Area description
City Center: piazza Santa Maria novella – in the heart of shopping streets, 150m from main rail station, 300m from the Duomo, 700m from uffizi gallery, palazzo vecchio and pontie vecchio.

Nearby points of interest

  • Santa Maria Novella Train station: 0.1 mi

Dining

Restaurant
Buffet breakfast is served in the breakfast room located on the first floor.

Hotel Policies

Check-in:
1400
Check-out:
1200

Terms and conditions

Extra charges may apply for children. Incidental charges, such as room service, are not included in the quoted rate.

The amenities and/or facilities may not be located at the hotel, but within a reasonable distance, and additional charges may apply for use.

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Guest Reviews (11)

Ratings and reviews for Universo Hotel Florence

Overall score

4.3 / 5
11 out of 11
Amenities:
3.5
Room cleanliness:
4.6
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
4.2
Location:
4.9
Value:
4.6

100% would recommend to a friend.

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Review of Universo Hotel Florence

Reviewer score

2
Rose123
London
7 Apr 2012

City break

This hotel is fantastic location to all main sites and the main station to get to other places in Italy.my main complaint is the noise at night and early morning. There are many drunk people at night walking around and the road sweeper arrives early in the morning. The church bells also start ringing around 6am! Do not expect to sleep! Rooms are clean but ver dusty and dark. There are no ceiling lights so don't drop anything you won't find it! Staff are nice but not always helpful when it comes to questions to do with outside issues. Breakfast is ver basic and no cooked food. Staff are a bit abrupt.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
3
Room cleanliness:
3
Hotel staff:
3
Room comfort:
2
Location:
5
Value:
5
Money-saving tip: Not Applicable

Take local buses than tours buy tickets at newspaper stands at station. Bus 13 or 12 take you many places.

Review of Universo Hotel Florence

Reviewer score

4
Anonymous
Florence Italy
16 Dec 2010

Hotel Universo Florence

Great location for siteseeing in Florence. Train station is right around the corner, The Duomo and Baptistry, The Academie, and Uffizi all within walking distance. Room was nice-- the only drawbacks were refrigerators in Europe don't run so cold as the US and no microwave or access to kitchen after the breakfast hours. For a first time visit, great experience.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
3
Room cleanliness:
5
Hotel staff:
5
Room comfort:
5
Location:
5
Value:
4
Sightseeing tip: Long walk from hotel

Consider bringing comfortable shoes and most sites within 1 mile or so.

Review of Universo Hotel Florence

Reviewer score

4
Dajoco
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
10 Oct 2010

Good location for the price

Very nice, friendly hotel in a very good location. Only about a 10 minute walk to the main attractions. Could do with getting wi-fi.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
3
Room cleanliness:
5
Hotel staff:
5
Room comfort:
4
Location:
5
Value:
4
Review of Universo Hotel Florence

Reviewer score

5
Anonymous
Harrisburg, PA
10 Feb 2010

Great place to stay in Florence

Very nice hotel in a great location near train station and within easy walking distance to all the sites.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
5
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
5
Location:
5
Value:
5
Review of Universo Hotel Florence

Reviewer score

3
7 months pregnant
San Francisco, CA
9 Jan 2010

Good and bad

The hotel is a very short walk from the train station, right on Piazza Santa Maria Novella but the plaza can have drunks pretty late at night (especially on New Year's Eve) and there's an ambulance lot there so an ambulance would take off at all hours. Duomo and other sites were closer than we thought. Our room facing the plaza was great but for the noise and its proximity to the breakfast room, making it loud inside and out.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
2
Room cleanliness:
4
Hotel staff:
2
Room comfort:
4
Location:
4
Value:
4
Review of Universo Hotel Florence

Reviewer score

5
Anonymous
Los Angeles, CA
19 Nov 2009

Great location, cool design, great price

Hip little designer hotel in the heart of Florence. Short walk to train station and very close to Duomo Cathedral. Rooms are very clean and bright. Bathroom maybe on the small side. Free internet on 3 iMacs in little conference room. Inexpensive gelatto across plaza and cool Gyro restaurant 2 doors down.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
5
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
5
Location:
5
Value:
5
Review of Universo Hotel Florence

Reviewer score

5
Carla
Not Provided
9 Oct 2009

Great location within walking

Great location within walking distance of the town centre. Plenty of restaurants to choose from within 10 mins walk. Lots of the best gelato in the piazza and good place to sit there and eat it.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
5
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
No rating
Location:
5
Value:
4
Review of Universo Hotel Florence

Reviewer score

5
pafcio
Chicago, IL
15 Sep 2009

Awesome Hotel close to train station

Being in the interior design industry, I appreciated the cool design of the hotel with how affordable the hotel was. The rooms are on the smaller size, but it didn't bother me as most of the day I was sightseeing.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
5
Hotel staff:
5
Room comfort:
4
Location:
5
Value:
5
Time-saving tip: Short walk from hotel

It's a block away from the train station. Perfect hotel if you're traveling by train.

Review of Universo Hotel Florence

Reviewer score

5
USA cousin
San Diego, CA
11 Sep 2009

The BEST Hotel in our visit to Italy.

GREAT LOCATION - short walk from train station. Overlooking grounds in front of Santa Maria Novella. Quaint hotel...you feel like you are in the real Florence. Dining within walking distance. Hotel has internet room. Also, it has breakfast included. Ride the red "on-off" tourist bus to see sites. Pick up right across from train station.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
5
Hotel staff:
5
Room comfort:
5
Location:
5
Value:
5
Dining tip: Short walk from hotel

Trattoria al Trebbio - Loved It!! On Via delle Belle Donne, left when you exit the hotel. Looks like a little ally street. Incredible steak, excellent pasta. I think they do not open until 7:00 PM. But be there early to get a table. Outside is great.

Review of Universo Hotel Florence

Reviewer score

4
Aquazinfandel41
Effort, PA
27 May 2009

Modern Hotel in a beautiful City

The hotel was great. It was clean, and the air conditioning was very refreshing in a city where they don't have it in too many places. The breakfast was amazing, and they spoke many languages which is great for people who don't know much Italian. Only bad thing was the staff wasn't that friendly, but no a big deal compared to all the good things there.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
3
Room cleanliness:
4
Hotel staff:
2
Room comfort:
4
Location:
5
Value:
5
Dining tip: Long walk from hotel

A 20 minute walk from the Hotel is a place called Piazza Pitti with a wine bar called Gola Cantina. This place has amazing people that work there and incredible wine that is all hand selected by the people who work there. Amazing!!

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