This is the first and only negative comment we have ever received. Unfortunately this reservation was difficult right off the start with the guest making requests for commission payments and refusing house rules and informing me the owner of how thing are done. I am very sorry that this reservation played out this way and can only confirm that we have been forthcoming in every way possible. Paying for additional services out of pocket without being asked knowing how tricky communication was. I feel we have given it our very best and it was not seen or appreciated. It felt out of our hands. Luckily as luxury standard hoteliers we know our product and all other reviews will proof that our service and home is outstanding and I can only be very sorry that it was not seen and appreciated. Thank you.

Dear Les, Many thanks for your review and your kind words. We are sorry to hear that you rewarded us only 4 stars as the reason is unfortunately out of our hands. Our location is one of the best in the historical part of Florence, in fact you could compare it with Beverly Hills in Los Angeles or Saint Germain in Paris. It is the favorite neighborhood of the Florentines and only minutes walking away from San Niccoló and then all sites. Tuscany is hilly and our path is steep in one point, yet the look and feel couldn’t be more authentically Florence and location, standard and beauty make up for the walk and make our villa is unique. In fact our path into town is one of the original pathways into ancient Florence as one of the five original doorways and part of the ancient wall is right below is. I agree that if walking is impaired the path is not recommended and guests should plan on making use of taxis. We thank you again for having stayed with us. Should you wish to return please consider our apartment which is located right at Ponte Vecchio. All my very best wishes, Karin

Many thanks for your review. We are sorry to hear that you rewarded us only 4 stars which is the first time this has ever happened. Many points are out of our hands. Driving in Florence is challenging, even for locals and I always explain that a car is not necessary as all is walking distance. Driving into the historical center (that we are practically located in) is not recommended as it’s too easy to get tickets. They are trying to keep the center pedestrial and hence are strict. The way around this either private transfers which I had offered you on several occasion including inquiring for pricing and suggesting tours and restaurants and confirming drivers, or taxis. If one needs an urgent taxi, such as for an airport transfer or fixed restaurant reservation it’s a good idea to call the taxi ahead of time or to use the app. Last minute calls are not easy even for locals as Florence has a limited number of cars and should they be occupied during high in demand times one might need to have to call several times to get a confirmation. This is all part of the Italian experience I suppose and the only way around this is planing ahead of time. I’m always available as you know and we had communicated plenty and I would have been happy to explain these facts in more detail. Italy can be challenging unless you know how to work the system. That’s when all becomes smooth and I’m always available to all guests to explain in full how to navigate all well. As for the parking spot by the house we have been lucky to have been able to use one for the last two years. As good neighbors we of course had to enable our direct neighbor to have access to his garden for private works and unfortunately you were there during this time. In the near future we will be building a larger parking spot for all three homes that share our gate and we will have two fixed spots that are ours and that those won’t change. All three home owners bought their houses together a few years ago and we all remodeled the old houses to their current beauty. The parking spot dealt with last and it’s upcoming. We are very lucky to have this opportunity as 95% of residents of our street can not even access their houses by car. Being located in the UNESCO protected part we need to accept these limitations. Yet location, standard and beauty make up for all and we believe our villa is unique. Tuscany is hilly and our path is steep in 1 point, yet look and feel couldn’t be more authentically Florence.

Dear James, Many thanks for your review and positive words. The villa is located in the favorite neighbourhood of the Florentines and right next to Piazzale Michelangelo and San Niccolo, 15 to 20 minutes comfortable walking with unbeatable views to Ponte Vecchio and 15 minutes walking to Santa Croce. In return you have a villa away from the buzz of touristy Florence and get to enjoy part of the countryside that Florence is embedded in. Our walking path into the city is already part of the experience as you are passing many sites of interest and it is actually one of the five ancient ways to get to Florence and truly off the beaten path which most guests find refreshing to contrast the busyness of the very center. Unfortunately Florence will always include lots of walking. But taxis are always at hand if need be. As Florence is a medieval small city driving and parking is a challenge. Still we are very lucky to have one parking spot in the space by the house that has been used by countless guests and is being used by the neighbours daily. The road is tight but manageable. Worst case one could leave the car on top of the street where there is a parking lot, only one minute walking distance away. I am sorry that you did not get to use your car. We always recommend the supermarket at Ponte Vecchio that has everything you would need and to ride back up by a taxi from the taxi stand just outside. This can be combined with a day in Florence and a shop at the end of your day. San Niccolo has smaller stores for bread, an organic store and even a cheese store. But for a bigger shop the supermarket at Ponte Vecchio is the one that's most convenient. Should you have a car there are of course additional options available and I am always happy to explain in more detail. This was our first four star review out of many over the years and I would have wished you would have contacted me to assist your concerns. I still hope you would choose to stay with us again upon a return to Florence. Thank you.

Thank you very much for this great review. It has been pleasure hosting you. Our hill is called Erta Canina and is actually quite special as it used to be one of the five ways to get to ancient Florence. In fact, a part of Florence's old wall and the original gate is still present. The views are unbeatable and it's one of the last kept secrets of hidden Florence as even many locals don't know of our path. And yes, it's the best way to burn off the calories after a wonderful meal. :)