Academy Hostel Florence Hostel Review and Information

What sets them apart?

Hostel Personality

• Community Atmosphere

Who's staying here?

• Small Groups (<8)
• Female Travelers
• Couples

Insider Tip

Academy Hostel

This hostel is a true backpacker hostel, not a guesthouse, but it's still a quiet and peaceful place to stay in central Florence. You can see the Duomo from the building, so the location really can't be beat. There are some great amenities available to guests, like free breakfast every morning. The rooms are cleaned daily (they'll ask you to leave so they can clean), and the facilities are comfortable.

The Facilities

Dorms

This dorm has beds that sleep three, four, five, or six people. You can also choose between rooms that are either en-suite or shared bathrooms. The beds are singles, which offers a nice change if you're used to staying in bunk beds. The mattresses are a bit thin but the rooms are clean and quiet. The hostel also gives you free bed linens, blankets, and a towel, which is another perk as many local hostels make you pay for towels.

Private Rooms

The hostel also has twin private rooms that either have en-suite or shared bathrooms. The rooms have nice furnishings and are definitely a step above the dorms in every way. That being said, they're also fairly expensive, so expect to pay significantly more for the privacy.

Bathrooms

This hostel has both dorms and private rooms that let you choose between en-suite or shared bathrooms. You can expect to pay a bit more for the convenience of an en-suite bathroom. The bathrooms themselves are clean and decent and the showers are hot.

Common Areas

This is a quiet hostel where people generally keep to themselves, but there are some public areas where, if you really try, you can meet some other guests. There's a shared kitchen available that has the basics (but no stove). There's also a large balcony that's a nice place to relax with a snack or sip a drink. The hostel also has a television room available to guests with some comfortable sofas and public computers as well.

The Location

Duomo

What's Nearby?

This hostel is all about location. It's literally a block from the Duomo, which you can see from the building. It's near everything you might need and is housed in a beautiful Palazzo Ricasoli historic buildings. If you follow the street it's on to the Accademia Gallery, you'll get to see Michelangelo's famous statue of David. The Uffizi Gallery is also just a ten minute ride away.

In the area you'll find plenty of restaurants and cafes where you can grab a bite to eat. There's also a supermarket next door. This is a touristy area, so head a few streets away if you want something a little more local and authentic.

Nearby Transportation

This hostel is also just half a mile from the Santa Maria Novella Train Station, so it's easy to get here after you arrive by train.

Amenities

This hostel has a few nice perks like free towels and bed linens, free breakfast, and security lockers if you're staying the dorm. There's also 24 hour reception service, which is very convenient as many of the smaller guesthouses around Florence have very limited reception hours. There are also vending machines available to guests where you can grab a quick snack.

• Wi-Fi
• Breakfast (Free)
• Luggage Storage
• Bed Linens
• Security Lockers
• Towels
• 24h Reception
• Vending Machines

Staff

This hostel is large enough and well staffed, so there is 24 hour reception available. This is very convenient because you'll find many of the smaller guest houses in Florence have very specific reception hours. The staff here are also helpful and friendly, so ask them any questions you may have.

Heads Up

This is a quiet hostel, which is a plus for many, but a common complaint for solo travelers who are looking to make some friends. The rooms also have a very limited number of outlets, which can be a bit annoying if you need to charge your electronics. Also note, Wi-Fi works well in the lobby, not so much in the dorm rooms.

Academy Hostel

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