Before heading to Florence we struggled to find a unique place to stay in our price range. We try to only stay in locally owned establishments and tend to steer towards AirBnB as a result. We wanted to try something different so set out on a hunt to find a locally owned B&B in the center of town within our price range. The hunt wasn’t easy, but when we came across AM Collection Florence we knew we had to try it out. I’m happy to report we loved our stay at this hidden gem in the center of bustling Florence! I’m still dreaming of this comfy bed and scrumptious breakfast, but I’ll stop babbling and give you four reasons you must visit this B&B on your next trip to Florence!
Location on a Budget
We’ve all made the mistake of arriving in a city after a long day of travel to then drag our suitcases all around trying to find the place we are staying. Now imagine that your accommodation was a 5-minute stroll away from the major train station serving the city? And then what if I told you that it was also an 8-10 minute stroll to the center of the city? AND what if I told you that said room with breakfast came under 115 euro in high season? Is your jaw dropping yet? It should be! AM Collection Florence hit every nail on the head when it came to location and budget.
Best sleep in Italy
To all of my American readers — I hate to break it to you, but I have yet to find consistent comfy beds in Europe. On our 7 day trip through Italy, we slept on what felt like a concrete floor, a bed that was so soft you practically sank into it, and a bed that caved in the center so we slept on top of each other all night.
And then we slept in the bed at AM Collection Florence – it felt like we were sleeping on clouds after 6 nights of not so great sleep. The best part of the room was not only the comfy bed but the fact that there was consistent air conditioning and blackout blinds to prevent light from spilling in at 5 a.m. I would go back to AM Collection Florence just for the sleep. It was that good.
Breakfast in Bed
We stay in B&Bs quite often and in Europe have come to expect a cold breakfast with little to no substance as part of the deal. In short, we don’t expect a lot. So, when Alberto came up with a full breakfast of homemade cakes (still warm!), fresh fruit, sandwiches, and fresh-squeezed orange juice we were pleasantly surprised. Throw in a cappuccino and we were set. Pro Tip — when visiting ask him for the apple cake. I begged him for his recipe, but… it must be a secret. SO good!
Hospitality
The main reason we love staying in locally owned establishments (glamping sites, B&Bs, etc.) is that we get to learn about the people and culture of the place we are visiting first-hand. Alberto owns this beautiful establishment and works hard to make sure that guests feel at home. Upon arrival he gave us some time to get settled and then sat us down in the common area and showed us all of the places to see in Florence. He advised where to avoid, must-sees, and gave us the general layout of the city without us having to worry about a thing. He even threw in a bottle of local Chianti for us to enjoy! It was great to chat with Alberto for a bit before embarking on our city explorations.
AM Collection Florence is a great place to rest your feet in the center of bustling Florence on a budget. The breakfast alone would cost 20 euro if in a restaurant so you’re really paying less than 100 euro/night in high season for a well-maintained locally owned B&B. Highly recommended spot for your visit to Florence!
Huge thanks to Alberto for the discounted stay at AM Collection Florence. As always, all of our opinions and subsequent gushing are our own.
Happy Trekking!
– Boots not Roots