Piccolo Hotel Firenze

We stayed at this hotel for 1 night making halt for Pisa during our Italy trip. I think the customer service of this hotel started right before our stay when they contacted us regarding any special requests like extra bed as we were family of 4 that included two small kids. Upon check in we were made feel like home by Mr Sameer, who is the property manager. He was extremely helpful in giving some good tips about the places and restaurants nearby. During the breakfast next day, he offered warm milk to our kids. Having a good property manager is very important as you stay focused on things you want to do while you are on vacation rather than running here n there to search things around. The property is also very well located from the main station and other tourist attractions. Mostly everything is at a walking distance. There are good restaurants that are open until late nearby this hotel.

I’m leaving this review because I believe travelers deserve transparency. What we experienced during our stay was far from what was advertised, and I hope this helps others make an informed decision. This was easily one of the most frustrating and disappointing hotel stays I’ve had. What seemed like a simple, affordable option ended up being a confusing, uncomfortable, and stressful experience from start to finish. Let’s start with the basics: The temperature in the room was a constant battle. One night the heat was unbearable, and the next it was freezing cold. Unfortunately, the inconsistency led to a family member falling ill. Hot water was a persistent issue. There’s a posted message claiming it takes a few minutes to arrive—but we never had anything but cold showers. Wi-Fi access was another letdown. It was unreliable and frequently dropped out, which made even basic communication a challenge. Room cleanliness and maintenance left a lot to be desired. The furniture was worn out, the bed was uncomfortable, and there was noticeable mold in the bathroom, particularly around fixtures. Although we were told daily housekeeping was included, no one ever came. Guest services were practically non-existent. Despite assurances that help would always be available, reception was rarely staffed, and messages—whether by phone, email, or WhatsApp—went unanswered. Facility access felt unnecessarily restrictive. After 5 PM, we couldn’t use the kitchen or even get a cup of coffee. There were signs everywhere emphasizing rules and monitoring, which made the environment feel unwelcoming. Unexpected charges were a constant theme. After we booked, we received a stream of messages about extra fees and last-minute demands for payment. What initially looked like a good deal ended up costing much more than anticipated. Checking in late involved being sent to a different location to meet someone in person, who then requested more money in cash. After that, we had trouble accessing the actual hotel—struggling with a malfunctioning front door while standing outside in the dark. All in all, the biggest issue wasn’t just the building or the systems—it was the way guests are treated. There was a noticeable lack of warmth, support, and basic hospitality. Bottom line: If you’re traveling with family or just want a hassle-free stay, I’d recommend looking elsewhere. This hotel created more stress than comfort, and it’s not a place I’d return to or suggest to others.

We got the suite with 4 beds. We were traveling as a family with 2 kids and the only bad thing was that they didn't had an elevator but still the person at front desk was so kind he help us with some of the luggage. I read previous reviews and in my visit air-conditioning did work perfectly, water from the shower was hot and the room was clean, and the Wi-Fi did work without an issue. The good thing about the place is that you can take a bus on the corner if you need public transportation, you can also get everywhere within walking distance.

A deeply disappointing and distressing experience To the management of Hotel Picolo: I’m writing the honest review you encouraged when you told my son and our family to “go ahead and write one.” This is not written out of anger, but out of genuine concern—for others who might find themselves in a similar situation. Our fully paid family trip quickly unraveled the moment we arrived. We were met not with hospitality, but with suspicion and tension. When my son calmly inquired about several unexpected fees that had not been made clear during the booking process, he was met with hostility. One staff member suggested that authorities could be involved if we didn’t comply immediately. The tone was unnecessarily confrontational, and the treatment of our family felt intimidating and deeply inappropriate for any hospitality setting. The emotional toll of that encounter—watching my son treated so harshly while feeling powerless to intervene—was one of the most upsetting moments I’ve experienced while traveling. The issues didn’t stop there. The building felt poorly maintained. The heating and cooling systems were erratic—our room swung from uncomfortably hot to freezing. This contributed to my son falling ill during the stay. Despite signage claiming hot water would arrive after 5–10 minutes, we experienced only cold showers. There was visible mold in several places, including around faucets. The beds were uncomfortable, the room was never cleaned during our stay (despite promises of daily service), and the Wi-Fi was largely unusable. Guest amenities were unnecessarily restricted. Basic appliances like the microwave and coffee machine had signs with strict usage rules and warnings, creating an atmosphere of suspicion rather than welcome. Communication was nearly impossible. Reception was often unattended, and guests were left standing in confusion. Calls went unanswered. We were told to use WhatsApp for support, but received no replies. Check-in, especially for late arrivals, was chaotic. We were redirected to a separate location to meet a man who requested additional cash payments. When we finally reached the hotel, the entrance wouldn’t open, and we stood outside in the dark, without assistance, for nearly 20 minutes. Before the trip, we were bombarded with messages and emails, each adding new policies, charges, or deadlines. The communication style felt overly aggressive and stressful. Most troubling of all was the overall attitude from staff. We felt more like intruders than guests. At several points, it seemed like some staff were making derogatory remarks in another language—assuming we couldn’t understand. Sadly, we could, and the comments were hurtful. I rarely write reviews like this, but I feel a duty to speak up. This experience was emotionally draining and deeply disappointing. I hope no other traveler, especially a family, has to go through what we did. Please think carefully before booking here. What should have been a joyful trip became a memory we now wish we could forget.

To the Management of Picolo here’s the honest review you seemed eager for when you mocked me in front of my family and told us to “go ahead and write one.” I write this not out of spite, but with full clarity and purpose: to warn others about what we experienced at your establishment. This was, without question, one of the worst travel experiences I’ve had. This isn’t just a subpar hotel—it’s a deeply flawed operation that seems designed to lure in budget-conscious travelers and overwhelm them with hidden fees, poor service, and an atmosphere of mistrust. Here’s what we experienced: Heating and air conditioning were completely unreliable. One night felt like a sauna, the next like a freezer. My father ended up sick from the inconsistent conditions. Hot water? A sign claimed it would arrive in 5–10 minutes. It never did. We took cold showers every day. Wi-Fi was essentially nonfunctional—constantly dropping and reconnecting, if it worked at all. The room was outdated and uncomfortable. Beds were hard, and mold was visible in the bathroom and on fixtures. Despite promises of daily cleaning, no one came to clean our room once. Reception was practically non-existent. While the website claims staff are always available, in reality we often found a long line of confused guests waiting at an empty desk. Phone calls, emails, and even messages via WhatsApp went unanswered. Guest access was strangely restricted. Basic amenities like the microwave or kitchen were off-limits after 5 PM, with aggressive signs warning guests about surveillance and rule enforcement. It felt more like a detention center than a hotel. Pricing was another issue entirely. After booking, we were hit with a series of last-minute messages demanding extra payments under tight deadlines. What began as a seemingly affordable stay quickly ballooned with unexplained charges. Late check-in involved being sent to another building to meet someone who asked for additional cash. The front door to the hotel itself barely worked, leaving us stuck in a dark alley trying to get in without help. The most troubling part wasn’t just the condition of the property—it was the tone. We didn’t feel welcomed as guests. The entire experience felt cold, uninviting, and at times adversarial. Communication was poor, assistance was minimal, and the sense of hospitality was virtually absent. Final thought: This place is not just disappointing—it’s a cautionary tale. I strongly recommend travelers, especially families, look elsewhere. There are plenty of places that understand the basics of hospitality. This, sadly, is not one of them.