A top-floor hotel overlooking the massive, happening Piazza della Repubblica? You would swear, on grounds of location alone, that it's out of your price range. Yet Pensione Pendini offers budget rates for comfy rooms, many with a panoramic view of the sprawling scene below.
Smiley and ultra-professional Emanuele welcomed us into the light-streamed three-star property. Pendini is brimming with grand old hotel charm, long corridors, and mirrored walls. Solemn black-and-white uniformed staff are the icing on the cake!
A whopping 50 rooms are done up with a very basic layout, in shades of red, blue or green with brass-knobbed beds. Dark wood furniture is a cross between antique-styled classic, and simple streamlined industrial. In short, there's ample space to store your bags. Bathrooms are mid-sized and simple, with plentiful toiletries.
The Pendini has kept guests coming back since 1895. The nine piazza-view rooms, the killer location, and the friendly elegance inside all seal the deal.
» Annie Shapero
Note: This hotel was visited by a EuroCheapo editor and is recommended based on cleanliness, location, price and overall quality. EuroCheapo did not charge this hotel to be listed.
About the Pendini neighborhood
You can't miss Brunelleschi's magnificent dome atop the rosy marble Cathedral. It's the obvious central meeting point and tourist hub of the city. Here, you're in the vicinity of practically everything: the Uffizi Museums, Palazzo della Signoria, the San Lorenzo Market, and the Accademia. The streets surrounding the Duomo cater to visitors, with generic, all-day dining (for a price), and exclusive shopping. The big guns in Italian fashion are located along Via Tornabuoni (technically closer to Santa Maria Novella), with several others on Via Calzaiuoli, Via del Corso. Borgo Albizi, which starts behind the Duomo is more a boutique street, featuring handmade, original designs in clothing and accessories. Souvenir shops abound, as do street performers, caricature artists, and tourist traps.
more about Duomo