Villa Belvedere

Recent Reviews: 242

• User:perstrainr

  Trip type: Couples

  Poor customer relations and garden needs work

  28 May 2022

  A pleasant country house hotel on the outskirts of the City. A bit dated but clean with good views from our room.The garden looked unloved, the pool not available (though not mentioned prior to booking). No garden chairs in a sun area and all needed cleaning.Our biggest problem was that we had no water in the hotel from 9pm until we left at 8am. No shower, loo or sink. We understand that this was a supplier fault to this one premises, but that is a problem between the Hotel and the water Company. We had to continually ask for information and on check out I politely suggested a goodwill reduction in our room rate for that night. We were told absolutely no from the miserable gentleman on check out duty. We took up the problem with our booking agent who were also refused but the agent did find a compromise not involving the hotel.I subsequently requested an apology or response from the hotel but not had the courtesy of a reply.We lived unhygienically overnight and it deserved at least a discount on that night we thought. You decide whether you want to stay there.

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• User:Marian R

  Trip type:

  A hidden gem!

  13 Oct 2019

  Villa Belvedere is a haven, tucked away by an interesting walk up the hill from the city. It's staff are the most polite and courteous, who take great pride in their Villa and making sure their guests enjoy a relaxed and welcome stay. It was a joy to return to after the hustle and bustle of Florence which was always very busy. Our towels, sheets and room were cleaned daily and the breakfast was more than adequate and offered a large range of choices to suit all tastes. The pool and garden area were quiet and offered a range of seating areas in sun or shade. The bar was well stocked and we often relaxed in the evening with a beer or a coffee, which we found were not over priced considering it was a hotel.The walk to the city is interesting and varied. There is a regular bus service nearby, which is cheap and tickets can be bought at reception.We had a lovely time here and would return again without hesitation and would like to thank all the staff for making us feel so very welcome in their charming Villa.

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• User:Martin H

  Trip type:

  A superb family run hotel

  27 Sept 2019

  We had an excellent stay at the Villa Belvedere. The staff were friendly, welcoming and very helpful. I would particularly like to thank Babu Singh who seemed to be there at all times. Always smiling, always helpful and extremely polite. All the staff were excellent. The room was spacious with an outstanding view over the terrace, the pool and Florence in the distance. We could even see the dome of the Duomo. Everywhere was very clean and the room was serviced well every day.On small piece of advice rather than criticism is dining. The hotel breakfast is excellent although no English style breakfast is available you can have bacon and eggs. The selection of a more continental style breakfast is excellent. The hotel staff are most apologetic and insist that they do not run a restaurant but provide snacks. The menu however is comparable with many restaurants and the food excellent. It is sufficient for a light evening meal, is inexpensive and with a good selection of starters, mains and deserts available plus of course some excellent wines. We didn't take advantage of the snacks on offer during the day so I cannot comment. There is always a however....There are a few good restaurants within a mile. The 'Trattoria da Ruggero' is excellent. I would recommend booking through the hotel reception. It is also the nearest. The walk back from all of them except 'In Fabbrica' is up a very steep hill. We didn't go to the Fabbrica as it is not open every day so best check. There is a slight shortcut down some steep, awkward and unlit steps with no handrail. We climbed it several time except when it was very wet. A taxi back costs over 10 Euro. So unless you have a car or find walking difficult it could be expensive. It is also advisable to book as the restaurants get full seemingly every day. The Pizzeria Antica Porta near the roundabout at the bottom of the hill will do their utmost to fit you in, is very friendly, good value and the food is excellent. The bar is small but stocks pretty much any drink you are likely to want and is available most of the day.I would definitely stay there again but with prior knowledge of the dining limitations would plan the day differently. We ate a larger meal at lunchtime and in the hotel restaurant in the evening. Except one day when I think the chef was unexpectedly off. I didn't check with reception as instructed and was disappointed. Not the fault of the hotel staff.

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• User:mrstrongLondon

  Trip type:

  Faulty Towers-Style Service Meets 10 Euro Bananas

  20 Sept 2019

  One of the worst experiences at this hotel was the check out. I didn’t have enough cash for the room tax. As if by a sleight of hand he took my twenty euro note replaced it with a ten and told me I had a ten euro extra breakfast charge and I could pay the tax by card. I said that I hadn’t had an extra breakfast and that it was included in the rate. He then started being a bit vague saying ‘I don’t know it says here extra, maybe you took something, a banana?’. I am vegan. I paid for ‘full breakfast’ but only had green tea, fruit and toast. I was never once asked if I wanted eggs or bacon as the other guest were. I don’t eat these and didn’t ask for them. But they didn’t even know that I was vegan. I have stayed in hotels all over the world and have never been charged for taking fruit to the room. The staff at breakfast on the first day were friendly, on the other days a woman stood halfway up the stairs staring out while the others rushed around doing the work.Now I know that her sole purpose was to buy low and sell high, bananas could be sold for ten euros each. I wasn’t asked if I had had a nice stay or wished a good onward joinery. He did however call one of the housekeeping staff and told him to quickly check everything was okay in my room, implying that I may have damaged something or wrecked the room!With the attitude this miserable man had he wouldn’t last long if he wasn’t working for his family. What a send off and terrible lasting impression to leave

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• User:888piar

  Trip type: Couples

  Great stay in a beautiful hotel!

  31 Aug 2019

  Friendly and very serviceminded staff. Beautiful Hotel-building and surroundings. We walked down to the city center, it takes 30 min. Taxi costs are around 15 euros. It was a great view of Florence from our balcony.