We loved our stay at the Hotel L'Orologio! It was within walking distance of the train station which was extremely convenient, but in a quieter area than near the Duomo, etc. We were shocked when we unlocked our Double Superior Room and found what appeared to be a split level apartment (especially in Europe)! You walk into the seating/TV area, with a private bath to the left and on the other side of the couch was stairs that led to the Bedroom. We almost missed a private terrace just outside of our bedroom, but I discovered it when I happened to open up one of the drawn curtains in the bedroom. WOW. Rooftop view of Florence. The room was very quiet with no street noise and the bed was very comfortable. This hotel does not disappoint! The front desk was very helpful with maps and recommendations, and they spoke perfect english (even though we tried speaking Italian with them). We would absolutely stay here again if visiting Florence.

This hotel is in a great location for shops,restaurants the sights and the station.
The rooms are very spacious....stick to the upper floors though.
Breakfast is great and the view from the dining room is truly florentine.
Very little traffic noise too.
Why don't these hotels at least try and employ friendly staff.
Reception slow and disinterested and breakfast staff truly appalling I am afraid in a quiet season.
Really really let's a great hotel down and would seriously review it guys.
Nel Italian quest e motto importance nel un recessione.

After spending a week in Rome, we decided to travel to Florence and enjoy the art there. We stayed at the Hotel L'Orologio for 3 days and 2 nights. The hotel was beyond our expectations. Not only was it within walking distance from the train terminal (we traveled by train) but was situated in a lovely plaza, quiet and close to everything in Florence.

The hotel was luxurious without the cost. The room was large and well appointed. The room was kept clean and we even had turn down service which is unusual. The decor is, as the name says, clocks and the theme was seen everywhere but tastefully done. The hotel is built around a courtyard so all rooms overlook the city.

The staff was fantastic, going out of their way to accommodate our requests. There is a bar off the lobby and the drinks and food server are excellent. Breakfast was served on the 4th floor and was very good with a lot of choices.

All in all this is a high quality hotel that we would gladly stay in for our next visit.

I've used that headline because when we're next planning a visit to Florence, Hotel l'Orologio will be top of the list. Having visited the city twice before and had less than satisfactory results in our choice of hotels, it was with a degree of temerity that I booked this one. Well, what a delight!
We arrived from Venice on the Freccia Argento express train (what a treat and only €45 each for the 2 hour journey travelling at speeds up to 270kph). The plan was to surprise my sister whose 60th birthday it was and whose husband had booked a surprise trip to Florence for her with dinner out on the day. Well, an added surprise was my wife and I waiting in the restaurant. So it was important we booked somewhere near the station so there was no chance we might bump into them accidentally.
It was raining when we arrived but the short walk was no problem. The entrance lobby was an indication of the style of this hotel and the receptionist an indication of their attitude towards guests; she was so charming and helpful.
I had specified a quiet room and so it proved to be. It was on the third floor. Room numbering is a little confusing in that, above each door is a four figure number accompanied by a name, e.g. The Sultan of Oman. It was only having wandered about a bit that we noticed the room numbers were on the small brass plates, at waist level, into which you have to insert your key card.
The room was excellent. Unusually for many Italian hotels, there was even a tea making tray. There was ample wardrobe space, a safe, flexible bedside reading lights, slippers, etc. The bathroom was fabulous, in spite of one of those magnifying mirrors over the basin. In a modern style by a large border-lit mirror, neither my wife nor I noticed it until my wife accidentally caught sight of herself and let out small cry of despair!
We could not have wished for anything better, it being the cheapest option at €120 for the night (incl. breakfast)
We returned to the hotel after dinner with my sister and son-in-lay for a nightcap in the stylish bar. However, we retired to an English gentlemen's club like area, all wood panelling and an open (gas wood-effect) fire and comfortable leather sofas. A fitting end to a lovely day.
The bed was reassuringly firm and oh so comfortable.
Then there was breakfast. My wife was ecstatic, well as ecstatic as one could be over breakfast. It was one of the best, if not the best, breakfast we have enjoyed anywhere. Located at the top of the hotel overlooking the large square below and much of Florence, the breakfast room featured the original room beams and huge panoramic windows punctuated by original stone columns. Breakfast itself was superb, the highlight of which was the delicate crispy bacon. I could go on but ....
A final word; my wife kept commenting on how clean everywhere and everything was. I tend not to notice as I don't wear my glasses all the time but it's praise indeed, coming from madame!
We left our case at the hotel before walking over to an art exhibition at the Strozzi. It was then back to the station for a return trip to Venice and this time, it was first class...it was part of the return ticket and still only €45!
Florence is beautiful and the best time for a visit is in the winter. In summer, it's rammed with tourists; hot, noisy and crowded. We shall return and Hotel l'Orologio will be our hotel of choice.