Residenza d Epoca la Basilica in Florence

The residence was nice and a historicsl building. The problems were the bedbugs.

I usually don’t write hotel reviews unless the experience is either exceptionally good or really bad. Unfortunately, this review is for the latter.

We booked this hotel via Trip.com, and while it had some positives, one major issue completely ruined our stay: the overwhelming sewage smell.

Pros:
• Great Location: The hotel is conveniently located near all major tourist attractions.
• Family-Friendly Rooms: One of the few hotels in Florence within our budget that allowed four people in a single room.
• Decent Breakfast: The breakfast buffet at the nearby café was reasonable.

Cons:

1. The Overpowering Sewage Smell (Biggest Issue!)

The moment we opened the door, we were hit by an unbearable sewage odor from the bathroom and bedroom. My wife and kids literally ran out of the room because the smell was so strong.

Worse, there was no one at the reception, so we had no way to request a different room. We were completely stuck. We had to keep the windows open and the air conditioning running for two hours just to make the room tolerable. But by the next evening, the smell was back—stronger than ever.

We have stayed in budget hotels and Airbnbs before, and even the most basic Airbnb hosts ensure their property doesn’t smell like a sewage leak. This is simply unacceptable for any hotel.

2. Poor Check-in Experience (Worse Than Airbnb)

We specifically booked this hotel because they stated reception would be available until 7 PM. We planned accordingly and arrived at 6 PM. However, when we got there, no one answered the doorbell. We were locked out.

A shop owner next door had to let us into the building, where we found an envelope with our key and breakfast vouchers—no prior notice, no instructions. I only found out the next day that the hotel had sent a message via ******* at 4:25 PM—less than two hours before we arrived, when we were already on a train.

Every Airbnb I’ve ever booked sends detailed check-in instructions at least a week in advance. This hotel failed to communicate properly and left us stranded.

3. No Privacy (No “Do Not Disturb” Option)

The hotel does not provide a “Do Not Disturb” sign. Since we usually decline housekeeping, we assumed, like many Airbnb stays, that the room wouldn’t be cleaned during our stay. However, when we returned the next day, our room had been cleaned and our belongings had been moved around. Guests should have the option to opt out of room cleaning.

4. Broken Elevator on Check-Out Day

On our last day, the only elevator in the building stopped working. We later learned that some guests had actually gotten stuck in it earlier that morning. Since we were on the third floor, I had to carry our heavy luggage down steep stairs.

Overall:

The sewage smell alone makes this hotel impossible to recommend. It was so strong that it ruined our entire stay. Add to that the poor check-in process, lack of privacy, and broken elevator, and our experience was simply terrible.

We have stayed in many Airbnbs, and even the most budget-friendly ones provide better communication, check-in experiences, and basic cleanliness than this hotel. Until these major issues are resolved, I strongly advise against staying here.