Your stay — Olimpia
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The Property — Olimpia
The Olimpia is a solid three-star near Santa Maria Novella station, with clean, compact rooms, a small rooftop terrace, and a decent buffet breakfast. It's best for budget-conscious travellers who want a reliable base with efficient tram and train links, not for those seeking character or luxury. The lobby feels like a functional, mid-sized hotel lobby: tiled floor, front desk, a few armchairs, and a sense of transit.
Chronicles of Florence
Florence was founded as a Roman settlement (Florentia) in 59 BC on the Arno floodplain. Its medieval crescendo built the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Ponte Vecchio, while the Medici family drove Renaissance art and architecture in the 15th–16th centuries. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a global tourism hub, and a living museum of art from Giotto to Michelangelo. Its contemporary identity remains rooted in luxury craftsmanship, design, and a service economy that serves 10+ million annual visitors.
Best Time to Visit
Full Florence guide →Best months
May, September, early October – warm, sunny, lower rainfall than summer, and fewer queues at the Uffizi and Accademia.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak tourist months; temperatures often hit 35°C, hotel prices rise 30–50%. The main events are the Festa di San Giovanni (24 June) and the estate fiorentina programme of outdoor concerts and cinema.
Budget shoulder season
March, April, November – room rates drop 20–30%, crowds thin, and weather is still mild enough for walking (though November can be rainy).
Weather & packing
Florence in July can be humid and stifling due to its valley location, trapping heat. Pack lightweight, breathable layers, a sun hat, and sturdy sandals; a reusable water bottle is essential for refilling at public fountains.
Live City Briefing — Florence
- New tram line T2.2 from Piazza della Libertà to the airport (FLR) opened in early 2026, reducing taxi reliance for departures.
- The city has extended the 'accesso controllato' for tourist buses in the ZTL (limited traffic zone) until at least October, so check if your transfer company has a permit.
- Several museums (Uffizi, Accademia) now require timed booking up to 7 days ahead in summer – walk-in tickets are extremely rare.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Olimpia, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the internal courtyard, not the street. Those floors are above the main bar and reception noise but still accessible via the lift (if it reaches that high). The courtyard side tends to be much quieter than Via Cavour frontage.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor (street level) – they get the worst street noise from passing traffic and pedestrians on Via Cavour, and the bar directly below can be loud until late. Also skip any room directly next to the lift shaft on any floor (the lift makes rattling sounds in many older Florentine buildings).
Best views
The best view is from a high-floor room overlooking the street (Via Cavour) – you can see towards the Duomo or the Medici chapels. However, this comes with street noise. Low-floor courtyard rooms give a safe, quiet view of the hotel's own inner well – not spectacular, but peaceful.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest. Above those, the lift may not reach, meaning stairs, but noise from the street diminishes the higher you go. The fourth floor is a good compromise between quiet and lift access (if the lift stops at floor 4).
🔊 Noise notes
Via Cavour is a busy central Florence street with traffic, scooters (especially after 10pm), and pedestrian groups. The hotel has a bar that can generate noise until 11pm on weekends. The lift is an older model – you'll hear it shift gears on each floor.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a room on floor 3 or 4 facing the courtyard – the best balance of quiet and daylight. 2. If travelling by car, use the 'Firenze Parcheggio' lot near Piazza della Libertà (10-min walk) because street parking in this zone is restricted and expensive; check the hotel has no private parking – it doesn't mention any, so assume none.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Olimpia
Free WiFi throughout; speed around 15 Mbps download, 5 Mbps upload; no login password required
One lift serves all floors except the mezzanine breakfast room, which has 3 steps
No complimentary newspapers; digital newsstand not available
Check-in 14:00–00:00; luggage drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 at no extra cost, after 12:00 charged 50% of the night rate
Free luggage storage for same-day arrivals and departures
No step-free entry: main door has one step; lift is narrow (75 cm wide, 110 cm deep), not suitable for large wheelchairs
No on-site parking; nearest public garage is Garage Bologna, Via Bologna 110, €35 per 24 hours; no EV charging on site
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €5.50 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: Full payment due at check-in; incidental hold of €50 per stay placed on credit card
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: San Salvatore al Vescovo (155 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Cappella dei Principi (229 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa della Misericordia (338 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Cappella dei Magi (399 m · ~5 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
COIN — 844 m · ~11 min walk
Giardino Bardini — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
Museo di Casa Martelli — 106 m · ~1 min walk
Auditorium al Duomo — 36 m · ~1 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Monte dei Paschi di Siena — 119 m · ~1 min walk
Pulker Farma — 142 m · ~2 min walk
Sapori & Dintorni Conad — 203 m · ~3 min walk
Firenze Santa Maria Novella — 812 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs for the best rate; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport and tourist spots near the Duomo as they give poor rates and high fees.
Major credit and debit cards are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and hotels; contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) work at most terminals. Carry some cash for small purchases at markets or old-school cafes.
Not obligatory; round up the bill or leave 5-10% for good service in restaurants. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip; hotel porters might get €1-2 per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cappuccino or espresso at a local bar (stand at the counter) costs around €1.20-1.50.
A pizza al taglio (by the slice) or a panino from a forno ends up about €5-7.
A simple pasta or secondi (main course) in a trattoria off the main tourist streets runs roughly €12-15.
The central market (Mercato Centrale) has a ground-floor food hall with schiacciata, lampredotto, and other local street eats for €5-10.
Conad, Coop, and Carrefour Express are common; avoid tiny corner shops for basics as they cost more.
The San Lorenzo market area has affordable clothing stalls; for cheap high-street brands, walk to Via dei Calzaiuoli or the mall near Santa Maria Novella station.
A single bus/tram ticket is €1.50 (valid 90 min); a day pass is €5. From the airport, the tram (T2 line) costs €1.50 and is faster than the bus.
Eat and drink standing at the bar instead of sitting at a table—it halves the price. Buy a Firenze Card or book museum tickets in advance online to skip queues (and avoid paying extra for tours). Stick to tap water from public fountains (fontanelle) to save on bottled water.
Good to know — Florence
Type C/F/L · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
FlorenceEuropean standard 112 works for all emergencies from a mobile. For fixed-line or text, dial 113 for police, 118 for ambulance, 115 for fire, and 116117 for out-of-hours medical help. Keep 112 set as a speed-dial in your phone.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Florence, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Olimpia
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Monte dei Paschi di Siena — 119 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Pulker Farma — 142 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Florence Airport (FLR) → Hotel David via Alamanni/Santo Spirito areas
💡 Newest eco-friendly tram system (opened 2019). Fast and cheap. Single journey €2, but get tourist passes to avoid repeat ticket purchases for hotel-to-attractions transit.
Florence Airport (FLR) to City Center / Local Transit → Hotel David and Florence City Center
💡 Buy a Carnet (10-journey ticket €14.50) or 48-hour tourist pass (€16.50) for all local buses. Airport coaches cheaper than taxi but slower with stops.
Florence Airport (FLR) → Hotel David, Florence
💡 Book pre-arranged transfers through your hotel to avoid inflated rates from unofficial taxis at airport rank. Expect traffic congestion during peak hours (8-10am, 5-7pm).
Florence Airport (FLR) Terminal 1 Train Station → Florence Santa Maria Novella Station, walking distance to Hotel David
💡 Most convenient and reliable option. Connect to local trams/buses from Santa Maria Novella. Hotel David is walkable (10 mins) from station in city center.
About Florence
Wikipedia ↗
Florence (Italian: Firenze) is the capital and most populous city of the Italian region of Tuscany, with 361,625 inhabitants as of 2026. It is also the capital of the eponymous metropolitan province, which counts 988,494 inhabitants. Florence was a centre of medieval European trade and finance and ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Olimpia?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the internal courtyard, not the street. Those floors are above the main bar and reception noise but still accessible via the lift (if it reaches that high). The courtyard side tends to be much quieter than Via Cavour frontage.
Which rooms should I avoid at Olimpia?
Avoid rooms on the first floor (street level) – they get the worst street noise from passing traffic and pedestrians on Via Cavour, and the bar directly below can be loud until late. Also skip any room directly next to the lift shaft on any floor (the lift makes rattling sounds in many older Florentine buildings).
Is Olimpia noisy?
Via Cavour is a busy central Florence street with traffic, scooters (especially after 10pm), and pedestrian groups. The hotel has a bar that can generate noise until 11pm on weekends. The lift is an older model – you'll hear it shift gears on each floor.
Which rooms have the best views at Olimpia?
The best view is from a high-floor room overlooking the street (Via Cavour) – you can see towards the Duomo or the Medici chapels. However, this comes with street noise. Low-floor courtyard rooms give a safe, quiet view of the hotel's own inner well – not spectacular, but peaceful.
What are insider tips for staying at Olimpia?
1. Ask for a room on floor 3 or 4 facing the courtyard – the best balance of quiet and daylight. 2. If travelling by car, use the 'Firenze Parcheggio' lot near Piazza della Libertà (10-min walk) because street parking in this zone is restricted and expensive; check the hotel has no private parking – it doesn't mention any, so assume none.
What time is check-in at Olimpia?
Check-in at Olimpia is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Olimpia have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; speed around 15 Mbps download, 5 Mbps upload; no login password required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Olimpia?
€5.50 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Olimpia?
A pizza al taglio (by the slice) or a panino from a forno ends up about €5-7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Olimpia?
A single bus/tram ticket is €1.50 (valid 90 min); a day pass is €5. From the airport, the tram (T2 line) costs €1.50 and is faster than the bus.
When is the best time to visit Florence?
May, September, early October – warm, sunny, lower rainfall than summer, and fewer queues at the Uffizi and Accademia.
Top Attractions in Florence
💡 Check the upstairs museum (€6) for the originals. The church itself is free and usually empty, so you can sit in peace - a rarity in central Florence.
💡 Skip the expensive upstairs pasta. Head to the ground floor's Nerbone for a €5 tripe sandwich or €4 bowl of lampredotto - a true Florentine lunch.
💡 Go just before sunset to see the city glow. Stay until the lights come on - it's far less crowded than during the day and the Duomo looks spectacular.
💡 Arrive at 5.15pm weekdays in summer to hear the monks sing Gregorian chant during vespers. It's a hauntingly beautiful experience, and free.
💡 Book ahead online (€6) - they limit visitors to 30 per 15-minute slot. If sold out, show up at opening and ask about returned tickets.