Hotel Balestri - Wtb Hotels in Florence

We were genuinely amazed the moment we stepped into our hotel room. We booked a room overlooking the River Arno, and from the window we could even spot the Ponte Vecchio in the distance - an absolutely beautiful view to wake up to. The hotel’s rooftop is another highlight, offering a stunning 180-degree panoramic view of the city. The location is excellent and makes exploring Florence incredibly convenient.

The room itself was comfortably spacious for two people with luggage, which is always a plus. The bathroom is on the smaller side, but that’s understandable and didn’t bother us too much. The only minor downside is that the bathroom entrance is located right next to the bed, which may feel a bit icky for some guests.

Also, when we first checked in, our room suddenly smelled of cigarette smoke, so we went down to the reception to give feedback. The staff behaved as if they didn’t believe us and insisted that if someone had been smoking, the smoke alarm would have gone off. When we explained that we had not made this up, they eventually sent someone up with us to check. True enough, he noticed the smell as well.

In the end, nothing was done, and we were simply told to open the room window. In freezing weather - day and night? Thankfully, when we returned to the room later in the evening, the smell was gone. However, this incident left a bad taste in our mouths. We wish the hotel had handled the situation more professionally and at least offered an apology.

Overall, we still loved our stay and would highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Florence. If possible, definitely ask for a river-view room - it’s well worth it! 😊

There's nothing wrong with choosing this option if it's cheap.

My stay at the Hotel Ballester was fantastic! The hotel was elegant and comfortable overall, with attention to detail evident in every aspect, from the lobby to the rooms.

The staff were friendly and efficient, making check-in and check-out very smooth. The rooms were spacious, clean, and elegantly designed, with very comfortable beds that ensured a good night's sleep. The bathroom was well-equipped with amenities, and the water pressure and hot water were plentiful, making it a truly enjoyable experience.

The hotel's location is also very convenient, with easy access to nearby attractions, restaurants, and transportation, which is a thoughtful touch for travelers.

Overall, the Hotel Ballester is a relaxing, reassuring, and worthwhile stay. Highly recommended for travelers looking to enhance their trip! 👍

Everyone was helpful, patience and the hotel was great value for the money. Amazing location and super good amenities.

Excellent location and beautiful scenery

I had the opportunity to do a site inspection with the Hotel Manager, Alessio Nuzzi, and it turned out to be a truly wonderful experience. He showed us the rooms, all offering breathtaking views of both the Arno River and the center of Florence, as well as the common areas, which are modern and very welcoming. It was a delightful experience, and I hope to share it with friends and acquaintances, so they can also enjoy staying in the heart of Florence, just steps from the Ponte Vecchio. Thank you!

Stayed here early October 2025 five nights. We had a superior room with balcony, very happy with the stay. The shower was fabulous, little things they do are great, like the turn down service, nice little fruit upon arrival. The staff was very friendly and attentive, the bar is very cool, and the staff there was also fabulous.
We had added the breakfast, worth the cost, staff was very nice, though by the last morning I was ready for a change in that.
And of course, location, location, location. Easy walk where you need to go.

Loved this hotel. We had a balcony room on the 4th floor that overlooked the river along with a small portion of the city. It was great to sit out and enjoy some drinks. The bar made great cocktails and the free breakfast every morning was a nice feature. Had a great stay and would highly recommend!

Very charming hotel. Perfect location. Excellent bar downstairs and breakfast was amazing. Better yet, they provided us with a bagged breakfast the morning that we were leaving because our flight was so early. Would definitely stay there again

The family room was excellent, with two rooms connected by a single door, creating a cozy and separate atmosphere. The window overlooked the river, with views of the Ponte Vecchio, the towers of the Palazzo Vecchio, and the castle on the hill across the river in the distance. The elevator was small, but the staff were helpful in delivering suitcases to the room. The Uffizi Gallery is about 200 to 300 meters away, making it very convenient for those visiting the museum early in the morning. From the bridge below, I watched the sunset over the Ponte Vecchio and a rainbow – absolutely stunning.