Bencista is probably the most charming hotel/pensione I've ever stayed in. The panoramic 180 degree view of Florence set in its green bowl of hills, the beautiful public rooms, the friendly family management, and the excellent, rare Tuscan cooking (simple but sophisticated) make the place just about perfect. Your fellow guests will probably have stayed here many times--a great compliment.... More

Our first visit to Italy in May and we enjoyed the beautiful flowers in the many gardens around Florence. Once more we stayed at the Pensione Bencistà in Fiesole, spending 8 nights there and enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of the Simone family and staff. Carla helped arrange visits to two private gardens in Florence and even escorted us despite her... More

The beautiful and elegant boutique hotel is perched on the side of the hill overlooking Florence. We chose a room on the inside (without the view) since we could sit on the patio or on the lower terrace and see the view from the public spaces. Our room was quiet ,clean and very generous for size. They have so many... More

After an excellent holiday based on the Bencista in August 2011, we decided to escape from the gloom of October in UK and booked another week. As ever the staff were very welcoming – as another reviewer has said, it is like being a guest in a family home. We have always enjoyed the evening meals but this time we... More

There were 17 of us staying here for about a week in June and our visit couldn't have been lovelier. We chose Fiesole instead of in Florence proper for my elderly mother who wanted a country feel while having easy access to the city. The Pensione Bencista offered us this. It worked out well-- we could easily sight-see in Florence... More

Somehow this place gets good reviews, but unless all the reviewers are blind or ex-cons, I don't know how. Nothing, I mean nothing, has been updated or upgraded in at least 50 years. Our room look like Motel 6 in 1965. The breakfast was passable. The location is pretty inconvenient assuming you are in the area to visit Florence. And... More

We spent 2 nights at Pensione Bencista in August 2011. We loved it. You feel like you are a guest in the family's home and are treated as such with wonderful hospitality and kindness. This is not a luxurious hotel, no televisions in rooms etc, but our room and bathroom were spotlessly clean. The view over Florence was absolutely breathtaking.... More

Pensione Bencista is unique and you probably end up paying for that uniqueness!! 3/4 star prices at what is only a Pensione. Beautiful location and very calm and peaceful, having a drink at sunset on a terrace overlooking Florence was memorable. BUT - for the prices charged for the rooms they should have a few simple necessities - complementary bottles... More

We have visited the Pensione Bencista since 1996 and every visit has been a pure delight. It maintains a truly wonderful family atmosphere. Our last visit was in August 2011 and we found the evening meals better than ever. We plan to visit again very soon.