S Croce Alcove

While we had high hopes for our family week in Florence with our 3 grown up children; Miravista clearly exceeded our expectations. It was a very comfortable, nicely understated decorated, with good 2 1/2 bathrooms and ample kitchen, sunny penthouse. While it had a good modern elevator, other than the day we arrived and departed with the luggage, the 5 of us (age 63, 61, our children 34, 31 and 29) always preferred the fun of enjoying to walk up and down the 92 steps; particularly after a nice dinner. Unfortunately, the weather was a bit cold as to enjoy the beautiful terrace overlooking the Plaza and the mountains; if it were spring or summer we would have spent long hours there... Waking up and having a leisure breakfast in front of the large window and terrace overlooking the Plaza was a fantastic way to start the day. The restaurant below was one of the best we had and at good prices; the owners and staff were incredibly friendly; we spent new year's eve with them. The location was great; just a 3 block walk to most of the landmarks...and yet quiet enough from the bulk of the tourists. Finally, the host was very educated and made our checkin / checkout a breeze. In addition, Pat Byrne was incredibly friendly and efficient and was making sure our reservation, paperwork and itinerary was up to date....Thank you Pat & Madelyne!

This was a great location for our family group of 6. The best part was the easy access to the Gelateria dei Neri, best in Florence. The grocery was a few blocks. There were several excellent restaurants in the immediate area, but our favorite was the Acqua al 2 (get the blueberry steak). Florence is very walkable and this apartment was on the edge of the tourist area. It was fun watching the crowds in the Piazza. They were a little noisy at times but the bedrooms are in the back away from the noise. Our greeter was helpful in getting us oriented. She also pointed to a driver who came at 4:30 AM to get us to the airport in Florence for the flight home. [Thank you for your great review! We are glad that you had an amazing stay! The Italy Perfect Team]

Thinking about booking this apartment? Do it now! Alcove apartment is a very spacious home located overlooking Piazza Santa Croce. The apartment is very accommodating for 6 - 8 guests. Every space is comfortable. The beds are very comfortable and the bed linens and pillows are plush. The bedrooms and bathrooms are all amazing, so no one will feel slighted. The one bedroom cannot convert the twin beds to one bed, but the room is still very spacious and the bathroom has a great shower. All of the bedrooms are on the quiet side of the apartment, even though we didn't find the crowds on the Piazza to be noisy at all. The kitchen is very well stocked. The laundry room with separate washer and dryer is a real plus. The location is a good one if you enjoy this side of the river; an easy walk to the train station and all of the Florence attractions. Check in/out was very easy and the utilities were reasonable for our 21 night stay. Some recommendations in/around the Santa Croce area: Boccadama is located on the lower level of the palace and serves very good lasagna and pear ravioli; a great place to crash for dinner at the end of a long day. There is also a Conad (small grocery store chain Corso dei Tintori, 10/R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy ) around the corner (behind the building) that is not mentioned in the information book; perhaps it's newer. It's a City version, but still good in a pinch. Foody Farm (next to Conad) was really good for a non-Italian meal; the menu was really interesting and the food was delicious (casual night out). The Gallery (2 minute walk) has a great apertivo that starts at 6:30PM. For $10-$12 you get a cocktail and a very good buffet with hot and cold food items. Inferno (Via de' Pepi 9R – Firenze) was excellent and filled with locals. We tried a little of everything. The entrees and salads are not necessarily prepared in a traditional way, but amazing. This is the place to get Seafood. I would recommend Inferno for a nice night out. OK, let's talk gelato. I am by no means an expert, but I have been in Florence nearly a dozen times and I would say, hands down, Dei Neri is the best gelato in Florence (Neri, 9, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy). Good news - it's a really quick walk from the apartment! They have a great yogurt gelato and their ricotta cream with pistachio topping is my favorite! Lisa Byrne is still the best in the business and you will not be disappointed with her service, prices, and accommodations! [Thank you so much for your lovely review and recommendations, we are delighted you enjoyed your stay and look forward to welcoming you again! The Italy Perfect Team]

I can't say enough good things about our apartment in Florence, our trip was fabulous and the location of this apartment was ideal. Really one of the best locations and best vacations ever.

My wife and I have been to Florence dozens of times. The location of the Alcove apartment at Piazza S. Croce is great. We have stayed in this lovely old building a few times...during the hot summer, so we did not know how it would be in the winter (mid-March). What we found was warm and cozy inside the Alcove and crisp and breezy outside...with much fewer people on the streets, in the piazzas and in even the best restaurants at lunch. This apartment, S. Croce Alcove, is exceptional. Well planned, delightfully furnished rooms with easy access to multiple bathrooms. Everything was immaculate. There is a small private balcony in the rear which I found useful as a get away occasionally. Jean and I have nothing but great things to say about our stay. Dave [Thank you very much Dave for your review, we are pleased that you had a wonderfull stay! The Italy Perfect Team]

The accommodations were good and in a great location. Easy walking to many places of interest. We were fortunate in that the weekend we were there, there was a concert in the square in front of Santa Croce featuring the world renown tenor Placido Domingo. We got to watch and listen from our apartment balcony. Probably at least ten thousand ticket buyers as we took it all in for free. Great timing.

When we rented the apartment in Florence we had no idea just how much it would enhance our stay. Each day we returned to our HOME with appetizers in hand. Then we would sit on our private terrace, enjoying wonderful italian cheeses and wine while discussing our day. We were traveling with 2 twenty year olds and had we all returned to separate hotel rooms our experience would not have been shared or enjoyed nearly as much. We will travel this way from now on. [Thank you so much, Mary. Your appetizers on the terrace sound delicious. Nice to enjoy with your 20 year olds rather than be separated. Please come again! The Italy Perfect Team]

The location couldn't be better. Plenty of room for all five of us. Plus everyone had there own bath plus air conditioner in all rooms. Host were very accommodating and answered all questions. Only one flaw kitchen needed a few more items (soap for dishes and surfaces). Our six days couldn't have been better. [We are delighted your stay was so nice. The Italy Perfect team]

We had a wonderful stay in Florence. This apartment is very spacious and comfortable. The location was great. Our greeter was very helpful. Would highly recommend this apartment for families. The restaurant right next door was very good and very friendly. Thanks Italy Perfect for the wonderful stay. Would definitely recommend them to friends. [Thank you so much! The Italy Perfect Team]

This is the second time I have visited Florence and stayed at the Palazzo Antellesi. I spent two weeks in The Alcove apartment, first with friends and then family. The Alcove is extremely comfortable and very well equipped. It has an unbelievable location, only a five minute walk to The Uffizi, The Arno or the Piazza Repubblica. There are wonderful restaurants nearby, our new favorite is Cucina Torcicoda which we returned to several times. The best gelatoria in the city is Vivoli and is around a corner from he apartment. We also went back to the Mercato Centrale several times to eat at their new third floor food hall. My 13 and 16 year old grandsons went shopping there and bought food to cook dinner for us in the apartment. If you can time it right, come in June and you will have front row seats for the famous Calcio (soccer) tournament. Thanks to Cecile, the manager, for all her help. We will be back. Susan Rose

Our apartment was very comfortable, quiet, clean, and well equipped. It was located in a historic palazzo turned into apartments on the Piazza Santa Croce. Our interests were in history, art, and architecture so the location was perfect. We were able to walk everywhere and even manage one of our party in a wheelchair. There is a "super" market a few blocks away for anything from staples to fine wine. We ate well everyday in a restaurant near our morning excursions, so all over the historic area. Food was great everywhere. Our travel companions are world-class consumers of gelato and give world-class honors to the small gelateria around the corner, facing the convent associated with Santa Croce. The folks at Italy Perfect were very helpful. And, yes, I would certainly seek them out again and recommend them to friends.

The Alcove apartment was spacious and gave us room to relax and spread out as we were staying for 2 weeks. The advantage of this unit is that it looks out on the piazza but the bedrooms are in the back so you cannot hear the noise at night. It was the best of accommodations and I would happily book it again! Santa Croce is a great location - 5 minutes walking from both the Arno and the della Signoria. Numerous good restaurants nearby, too many to detail here. It is very crowded during the day but gets quiet in the evening. Also there were several performances in the evening on the piazza so we had the opportunity to see a rock opera, a band and a soccer/rugby tournament at various times. (Apparently, the piazza is a performance venue during the summer.) My only criticism of the building is that occasionally the elevator would go out but the staff was always very responsive to that or any other concerns. During our time there, we used 2 of your recommendations: Marco Stivo the driver and the Tavola cooking school. Each provided excellent services and made our time there more enjoyable. I would happily recommend Italy Perfect to friends, etc. and look forward to returning to Florence, most likely in 2 years. Thanks for all your help.