Hotel Universo

Location: Piazza Santa Maria Novella, 20, Florence, FI, 50123, Florence, IT

Star Rating: 3 Stars

Property Type: Hotels

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 02:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Check-out: 12:00 PM

Amenities & Facilities

• Express check-out
• Free WiFi
• 24-hour front desk
• Luggage storage
• Express check-in/check-out
• Concierge service
• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Safe-deposit box at front desk
• Multilingual staff
• Free newspapers in lobby
• Express check-out
• Smoke-free property
• Express check-in
• Tours/ticket assistance
• Self parking (surcharge)
• Computer station
• Locally-owned & organized tours & activities
• At least 80% of all lighting comes from LEDs

Rooms Available

• Classic Double or Twin Room

  1 Queen Bed OR 2 Twin Beds

  183 sq feet

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - LCD television with cable channels

  Food & Drink - Minibar (fees may apply)

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathtub or shower, slippers, and a hair dryer

  Practical - Desk and phone

  Comfort - Climate-controlled air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Smoking And Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 3 (2 Adults)

  • Minibar
  • Telephone
  • Hair dryer
  • Desk
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Bidet
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Free WiFi
  • Smoking and Non-Smoking
  • Bedsheets provided

• Classic Single Room

  1 Twin Bed

  118 sq feet

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - LCD television with cable channels

  Food & Drink - Minibar (fees may apply)

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathtub or shower, slippers, and a hair dryer

  Practical - Desk and phone

  Comfort - Climate-controlled air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Smoking And Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)

  • Minibar
  • Telephone
  • Hair dryer
  • Desk
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Bidet
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Free WiFi
  • Smoking and Non-Smoking
  • Bedsheets provided

• Superior Double or Twin Room

  1 Double Bed OR 2 Twin Beds

  194 sq feet

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - LCD television with cable channels

  Food & Drink - Minibar (fees may apply)

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathtub or shower, slippers, and a hair dryer

  Practical - Desk and phone

  Comfort - Climate-controlled air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Smoking And Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 3 (2 Adults)

  • Minibar
  • Telephone
  • Hair dryer
  • Desk
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Bidet
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Free WiFi
  • Smoking and Non-Smoking
  • Bedsheets provided

• Deluxe Room

  1 Queen Bed OR 2 Twin Beds

  193 sq feet

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - LCD television with cable channels

  Food & Drink - Minibar (fees may apply)

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathtub or shower, slippers, and a hair dryer

  Practical - Desk and phone

  Comfort - Climate-controlled air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Smoking And Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Minibar
  • Telephone
  • Hair dryer
  • Desk
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Bidet
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Free WiFi
  • Smoking and Non-Smoking
  • Bedsheets provided

• Triple Room

  3 Twin Beds

  248 sq feet

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - LCD television with cable channels

  Food & Drink - Minibar (fees may apply)

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathtub or shower, slippers, and a hair dryer

  Practical - Desk and phone

  Comfort - Climate-controlled air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Smoking And Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • Minibar
  • Telephone
  • Hair dryer
  • Desk
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Bidet
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Free WiFi
  • Smoking and Non-Smoking
  • Bedsheets provided

Guest Reviews

• Jason (10/5): - Great staff and great location.
• Lyle (8/5): - The location is great. Short (5 min) walk from the train station and close to shopping, great food, and next to the Piazza Santa Maria. Room and Facility is plain and small but nice.
• Juan (8/5): - Rooms are very old, but the bathroom was renovated.
• Jeff (8/5): - Just the room and bathroom was a little small. Everyone was very kind!
• Martin (8/5): - The hotel is located on a large piazza with many restaurants and an excellent gellateria and Basilica steps away. The piazza is very loud the Friday night we stayed but earplugs were the trick. Not many amenities, no breakfast, but nearby cafes provide pastries, sandwiches, and espresso. Ten minute walk to the train station terminal.
• Josue (6/5): - I only recommend one night stay
• Jason (10/5): - Nice place with a friendly staff.
• Mikeson (10/5): - Walking distance from train station. Lots of options for dinning
• Trish (10/5): - .
• Joseph (8/5): - Enjoyed the location and the convenience. A bit noisy and minimum extras such as soap and shampoo
• Cynthia (6/5): - Nothing like the pictures used on the advertised and most of our outlets didn't work for some reason.
• Angela (8/5): - Florence is a beautiful city, but everything was really outdated, dirty, the beds felt like cardboard. The staff however was really kind. You hear every little sound from outside and through the halls. I do have to give them the shower was one of the best in all of Italy. The water pressure was great lol! If it’s a one day stay I say do it, but more then a day, I don’t know… rethink your plan maybe?
• Daniel (8/5): - Centrally located and near the train station. Room 500 is a bit small. Not sure how it compares to other rooms.
• Suraj (2/5): - Noisy, faulty electrical outlets and uncomfortable mattress. Would not recommend
• Tony (8/5): - It was a very good location. The windows did a good job at keeping the sound out.
• Maureen (4/5): - Friendly and helpful staff. Nice lobby, room mediocre. Too hot and could not adjust to A lower temperature. Bugs in room, Shower leaked all over stall and floor, shower water luke warm
• David (6/5): - Great location, near train station, easy to walk places. Very old property but worked for us.
• Joyce (10/5): - I booked my stay here literally a half an hour before getting off the train and was greeted with great hospitality and an easy check-in! My room was quaint, colorful, clean, and perfect for my needs! I wanted something in the heart of the city that would allow me to walk around and enjoy everything that Florence has to offer. It was literally in the heart of the city, and a five minute walk from the train station, which made it super convenient. I highly recommend staying here at this lovely and hospitable hotel.
• Cara (8/5): - Small but efficient room on the 5th floor looking out onto the piazza, perfect location r/t dining, shopping, and sight-seeing and very walkable to train station and tram stop from airport. We could hear music and activities from the restaurants and piazza below until late, but that was mostly pleasant. Staff was excellent. Not luxurious but we’d recommend!
• David (10/5): - The property was in a great location within walking distance from the train station. The room was fantastic. Had the room with a view of the square. Only thing was that there was no continental breakfast. For the price it could be added.
• Xavier (8/5): - Everything was excellent, except: Nothing in the room (coffee, etc) Some things are falling apart and lack maintenance. Very complicated to get to by car and park. Parking garages will take your car to another location and may change the price overnight without notice. Get a quote in writing. Again staff was awesome, very helpful and polite and willing to go the extra mile.
• Carlos (6/5): - Not bad
• Alyssa (4/5): - Very dirty. My room smelled of urine. Only redeeming quality is the location.
• Tyler (10/5): - Great location, cute room with everything I needed. Staff was very helpful and easy to work with.
• Donnell (6/5): - Need to be more friendly, cleaner, and offer some coffee for heaven’s sake!!!
• Sudheer (10/5): - Enjoyed the wonderful view over the piazza
• Maria (10/5): Recommend - The hotel is well located. The personal is friendly
• Rhiannon (6/5): - Bathroom stinks of cigarette smoke, air conditioner in poor condition, overall was just good for us as it was a 1 night stay so mostly out and about.
• sergio (8/5): Firenze Pisa - The room was l ocated on the 3.5 floor, there were stairs to go up from the 3rd floor or come down 1/2 a floor from the 4th, hard to explain. The room was older than expected and the plumbing in the bathroom sink was clogged
• DAVID (8/5): - Had a really large, unique room. Everything was very nice. Can be a little loud at night, but that’s to be expected in an area like this. Only cons: shower was a bit small for someone with wide shoulders. They lock the doors at a certain time every night and getting in/out can be a hassle. But overall would stay again.
• BARBARA (6/5): - Location great. But room very minimal. No mirrors in the main part of the room; air conditioning sparingly; no room safe.
• Duong (10/5): - It’s a decent hotel at prime location. Services are nice, room is small and not fancy but clean. Overall, I’d recommend this and would return.
• JUANJO (10/5): - Pretty close to everything
• John (10/5): - No view from balcony But everything good
• Donna (8/5): Close to everything - Great service. Needs better lighting in bathroom. Great place to stay. Near trains and close to everything of tourist desires.
• Derek (10/5): Excellent 10/10. - The location is perfect. Step out of the airport and 50 meters away is the T2 tram that takes you right into the heart of Florence, get off at the final stop and the hotel is 50 meters in front of right at the beautiful square. The staff are helpful and lovely and the rooms are perfectly clean, we were lucky enough to get a view across the square.
• Gail (10/5): - We had to make a last minute reservation because our Air B&B had some issues. I booked one of the last rooms less than 24 hours before check in for me and my two daughters. We were greeted kindly, offered a room with a view, and were grateful for the clean, comfortable, and efficient accommodations. The square below is a little loud, but it didn’t impact us getting to sleep.
• Adham (8/5): - When I reached the hotel, I was given a small room. Upon talking to the front desk about it, he told that the room is standard size by Italian measures. Nevertheless, he moved me to a bigger room. Very happy with this hotel.
• FLEMING (10/5): - Loved this little jewel in Florence. We were lucky enough to get the only room with a balcony over looking the square and church! Room 513! The front desk staff was so kind - all of them! And very helpful with recommendations! There are food shops with outdoor dining right outside the front steps of the hotel! We very much enjoyed this hotel and location
• Rachel (6/5): - very small rooms, noisy (expected that) no place in room to relax need updating rooms. musty but clean.
• Miss Tamsin (10/5): Recommend for location and facilities - Superb location, room and views. Lovely staff and really helpful.
• Jennifer (10/5): - Very pleasant staff, very clean room great balcony with view of Santa novella. Many restaurants within the block
• Eric (8/5): - The place is well located.
• Deborah (6/5): - Front desk staff were very nice. Room was unfortunately dark and unattractive . Shower very small but worked well. But the location could not have been better, good restaurants , close to train station . Budget friendly!
• Simon (10/5): - Happy with the location and services provided.
• Cynthia (6/5): - This hotel is good for a very basic experience with a bed and a shower. It is located in a very walkable area in the heart of Santa Maria Novella. Staff was nice. It was very inconvenient with the WiFi night working for the length of our stay and they didn’t want to give us any kind of credit on our bill because we booked with a third party. There is WiFi in the square but I like to call my family after I’m done for the night and ready for bed. Otherwise, it was just ok.
• Henry (8/5): - The hotel is located very close to the train station and that makes it very convenient. It is a place that meets the basic lodging conditions. The staff is very friendly and willing to provide good service. The room is clean and spacious; Perhaps your furniture requires an update. In general terms it is a good place to spend the night.
• Thanawat (8/5): - My room has the smallest shower I have ever been.
• Robert (6/5): - Bed was hard, not clean around shower bottom, sink in bath drain plug not working. Staff was nice, apartment very small
• mario (10/5): Great hoteel - Nice and quiet central easy to get anywhere in florand A++
• Jennifer Vania (6/5): Ok location, but not great hotel - It is an ok place to stay, very well located and super close from the train station, the staff was very friendly and helpful. Room was old and very small, the bed wasn’t great, but the restroom was extremely small, specially the shower. It wasn’t super clean.
• woei j (10/5): Good location - Amazing very spacious room but no mirror in room and need a window too thanks
• Michael (10/5): - Staff was very helpful with suggestions for things to do, where to go etc.
• Simon (10/5): - Great stay Close to train, great pizza outside front door. Shower was a bit small if you are 6ft. Outstanding service, cool design.
• Eileen Joy (2/5): Worst hotel I’ve ever stayed - Mosquitoes lingering the room. Me and my daughter got mosquitoe bites . It’s winter but it’s so warm inside the room. No air conditioning. We cant control the heater
• Dina (8/5): - Very well located in the heart of city center. Room very old but still everything is ok
• Line (6/5): - First room given to us had what looked like mold on the wall under the a/c unit. The plaster was coming off at the touch of a finger. We asked for a room change twice but we told twice that none were available. We could chance staying there bc one of us is asthmatic. We called Expedia and it took a second call from them to give us another room. This room was acceptable and clean. Otherwise their service when checking in was really good. They let us leave our luggage and when we came back all the luggage was in our rooms. The location is the best as it is closed to train station and walkable distance to most major tourist attractions and restaurants!
• sandra (10/5): Florence - Great location and great staff Room was cleaned daily with fresh towels
• Vern (10/5): - The staff was very friendly. We found the location to be ideal for us!
• ka fai joey (10/5): - it was my first time visiting Florences, the hotel is easy to get around all the areas. If I visit Florence again, I’d search this hotel first!!!
• Jason (8/5): - Nice location
• Neil (8/5): - The hotel is in a great location. The side facing the square is a little noisy in the evening and morning.
• Richard (10/5): - Location clean AC works well
• jackie (10/5): - Great location, just know it can be noisy til late and starts up very early. It became almost white noise for me.
• Susan (8/5): Perfect location! - The hotel is old and not very well appointed, but the location is excellent. The desk staff is friendly and very helpful. Honestly, we didn’t come to Florence to stay in our hotel room, so it met and exceeded our expectations.
• Ricardo (4/5): - Infiltration and mold on walls. I do not recommend this place.
• Maryjo (10/5): - This hotel was very pleasant and we enjoyed the cafes and plaza right outside the hotel. Desk staff was very pleasant and helpful. Beds were comfortable.
• Thomas (8/5): - Property was in great location, staff was friendly, overall the stay was very enjoyable
• Edward (8/5): Convenient location - Hotel within 5 minutes walk from the train station and the market. Just a bit farther to Duomo, Ponte Veccio and other attractions but easily walkable.
• Martin (2/5): - Great Location, horrible front desk staff- TONY!!!! Room 301’s AC not working and Tony stated that “ This is Italy and NOT USA”
• kerli (6/5): - The room was very dark, the lights were not enough.
• Annabelle (10/5): - Perfect for a one stay close to the train. Staff was very polite and exceptionally helpful.
• Taraneh (4/5): - Our train to Rome from Florence got delayed for 4 hours and then cancelled at 11pm so we had to book a last minute spot nearby as our new train was 6am. We thought this was a good choice. Not at all. The lady at the front desk made us feel like nuisances as she says her shift was over and the city fee we had to pay we need to do the next day at checkout because she’d closed the accounts. I think our shock spoke for itself as she finally let us just pay when we reminded them we had to leave by 530am latest so at least it was nice after us staring they let us just pay. We got down to leave around 5am and the doors were locked and you had to call a number which was out of service. Not to mention the sound here is as though you are in the middle of the square and they clean the square at 3am so if you like sleep do not stay on the 1st floor. I understand everyone is busy but when we let you know we are here because of an unexpected train cancellation you’d expect at least some empathy.
• Lisa (8/5): - Staff was excellent. Internet slow. Toilet didn’t flush all the time. Great location. I would recommend to stay here.
• Tom (10/5): - The location of the hotel was fantastic. Parking at the hotel was easy, drove to outside the hotel and the hotel arrange for parking staff to park the car and pay the necessary taxes. Collection is from outside the hotel too. We were able to walk to many of the attractions. Staff friendly and helpful.
• RAJESH (8/5): - Drinking water bottle in the room. Does not cost a fortune but seems someone cares. When you come back after a hot day as the weather is like these days.
• JESUS (8/5): - El hotel bueno pero nada del otro mundo muy oscuro pero fácil acceso a todas las plazas de Florence
• hugo (10/5): - Excellent location. Helpful staff. Comfortable rooms
• Ashley (10/5): - The room was nothing special, but the location was unbeatable. Hotel employees were helpful and very kind.
• Daniel (10/5): - In Italy, when I am going to be in a city for just a few days I want a hotel that is conveniently close to the train station, clean, safe, quiet, and within easy walking distance to the rest of the city. Hotel Universo is all these things. The staff is friendly, helpful and engaged. Our room was small, but that is fine. I don't want to pay for space and amenities that I am not going to use. What is important is that the bed was very comfortable, the air conditioning was powerful, the shower was hot and water plentiful. Stepping out of the hotel you are in the center of Piazza Santa Maria Novella and less than 5 minute walk to the train station. Hotel Universo is an excellent value for the cost. I look forward to returning on my next visit to Florence.
• Kyrylo (8/5): Great place for short stay - Perfect location with all the attractions in walking distance.
• marta (6/5): - Internet was unreliable and I had to work. No water in the room. For the price no payed I expected a bit more.
• Luis Vasquez (10/5): - Nice place to stay in Florence. Location was perfect!!
• Charles (10/5): - Great location.
• Garrett (10/5): - Good
• Rosanne (8/5): - Close to everything
• Maria Elena (6/5): - It is located in the piazza, you can hear all the noise from the plaza at night
• KENNETH (10/5): Great Stay - Hotel Universo was right on the piazza. If your room opens to the piazza, Florence doesn't sleep so it gets a little noisy even with the window closed. However, Universo was very convenient, and our room was wonderful. Our room was spacious (it slept 3) and it had all the amenities we needed. I could've used a slightly larger sink area to be able to put things on the sink and a plug closer to a mirror to be able to do my hair with a curling/straightening iron but those are my only complaints. The bed was comfortable and the staff was friendly.
• Adrienne (10/5): Great Florence location! - The hotel was great! Perfect location, walk to everything. Nearby ATM, pharmacy and grocery. Plenty of restaurants near as well.
• Verified traveler (2/5): - Terrible room. It was between floors.So if you are carrying with big bags then you will have to take stairs. Not enough lights in the room. You can't stay and relax in the room as it's too small and too dark.
• John (2/5): - Advertised as have a breakfast. There was no breakfast. My sunglasses were stolen from my room. 48 euros for parking.
• Brian (6/5): - It’s ok if you aren’t spending much time there. Room had a restaurant kitchen maybe 10 feet below it. Wildly loud until very late. The location is good, the people were friendly. If you are a light sleeper it will be tough.
• peter (8/5): - We had a great stay and the hotel is well-located in the center of Florence's historic area. However, anyone driving to this hotel should be aware that the advertised price for parking is not accurate. We were charged 48 euros to park a small car for the night. As of the writing of this review the advertised parking is 35 euros. We were told that a smaller car would pay less than 48 (we had rented a DS3). Unless you're driving a match-box car, expect to pay more than advertised. The other drawback for those driving is that the GPS has a hard time finding the hotel. When you do get there you have to drive on what seems like a pedestrian plaza. Just prepare ahead of time. Other than the parking complication, the gentleman at reception was very kind and professional.
• William (10/5): - We had reservations for the nights of May 1st & 2nd but the busses from Greve in Chianti didn't run on May 1 because it was a holiday. We called and explained our plight and the hotel generously offered to change our stay to the 2nd & 3rd. That was very kind of them and they didn't have to do it. The staff was warm, welcoming, and helpful. Couldn't ask for more. Well done!
• MAHESH (10/5): - Excellent location just less than 10 minutes walk from train station. Nice view from the room Staff was very helpful and friendly. Only one thing In the room101 we stayed I would like to see improved is the size of standing shower enclosure it’s just too small.
• Rosa (4/5): Not a comfortable stay - The air smelled like a fart. The rooms were small and dark color green.
• William (10/5): - The room was very comfortable. It wasn’t big, but I didn’t need more space. The piazza could be a bit noisy, but that is perfectly normal. I was fine with that.
• Brett (8/5): - Fantastic location. Very nice bathroom. Staff at front desk very helpful.
• Eassa (8/5): - Excellent location, hôtel could use some updating. Basic amenities in the room such as coffee would be nice.
• Verified traveler (8/5): - Excellent location for a hotel. Friendly staff.

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