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Summary of reviewsPensione Bencistà offers a tranquil escape in the hills of Fiesole, balancing serenity with accessibility. Its historic charm, well-preserved Tuscan architecture and lush greenery create a timeless, rejuvenating atmosphere. Guests repeatedly praise the breathtaking panoramic views of Florence and the surrounding countryside, as well as the peaceful ambiance and unique historical decor. Convenient connections to Florence allow visitors to explore the city's cultural offerings while enjoying a restful retreat.
The breakfast experience, enjoyed on a terrace with stunning views, is generally commended for its variety, quality and ambiance. The food is fresh and flavorful with high-quality items and excellent coffee. Although some guests criticize the limited menu during COVID and the cost, the overall response is positive.
Dining at the in-house restaurant is also a highlight with many guests appreciating the freshness and quality of the dishes, often featuring local and seasonal ingredients. The terrace dining experience is particularly noteworthy for its amazing views and friendly, attentive service. While some find the menu too minimalist and prices slightly high, many enjoy the meals and the memorable dining ambiance.
Rooms at Pensione Bencistà are described as charming and clean with antique pieces and tasteful decor. Many rooms offer lovely garden views, adding to the cozy atmosphere. Some guests note issues such as outdated facilities and small bathrooms, but the overall room experience is positive with comfortable bedding and a rustic feel.
Cleanliness is a strong point with guests frequently noting the spotless conditions of both rooms and common areas. The hotel's high cleanliness standards and maintenance are well-appreciated, although some find the room sizes and amenities slightly lacking given the price.
The staff at Pensione Bencistà are consistently praised for their exceptional service, friendliness and helpfulness. Their dedication and amiability significantly enhance the hotel's charm and welcoming atmosphere, making guests feel at home.
The hotel's bedding receives high marks for comfort, contributing to a restful stay. Although some issues such as noisy wooden beds and short or hard mattresses are mentioned, the overall feedback is that of a comfortable and pleasant sleep experience.
Overall, Pensione Bencistà is celebrated as a historical gem, offering a unique blend of old-world charm, superb service, breathtaking views and a serene environment. This makes it a delightful destination for travelers seeking a picturesque and peaceful getaway. Show more
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Historic Hotel
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Hotel for Honeymoon
Family Friendly Hotel
Dog Friendly Hotel
Dogs Stay Free
Business Hotel
Hotel with Parking
Accessible Hotel
3-Star Hotel
Hotel where Dogs Stay Free
Room Types
Guest Reviews
8.8
Excellent
Location
Nestled in the tranquil hills of Fiesole, Pensione Bencistà offers a retreat that perfectly balances serenity with accessibility. Its exceptional location provides guests with stunning panoramic views of Florence and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. The historic building, carefully preserved to retain its authentic charm, sits amidst lush greenery and elegant gardens, creating an atmosphere that feels both timeless and rejuvenating.
Ideal for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of city life without straying too far, the hotel is praised for its peaceful ambiance and historical decor. Visitors feel transported to another era, thanks in part to the property's classic Toscan architecture and winding park. The views, described repeatedly as breathtaking and stunning, afford guests numerous outdoor spots to relax and contemplate the magnificent scenery.
The convenience of a nearby bus connection to Florence ensures that guests can easily explore the city's rich cultural offerings while enjoying a quiet sanctuary upon their return. The friendly and accommodating staff further enhance the stay, along with charming interior decorations that echo the hotel's rich history.
In summary, Pensione Bencistà is lauded for its dreamlike location and extraordinary vista, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty, historical significance and modern comfort. The unique position, coupled with the serene environment, makes it a must-visit destination for travelers seeking a picturesque and peaceful getaway.
Breakfast
Breakfast at Pensione Bencistà is generally praised for its variety, quality and the stunning views it offers. Guests describe it as excellent, hearty and varied with high-quality foods and excellent coffees. The terrace setting overlooking Florence provides a phenomenal start to the day, enhancing the dining experience with a beautiful backdrop.
Many guests enjoyed the refined breakfast with fantastic views, noting the atmosphere as perfect for both morning meals and evening drinks. The service is described as nice and friendly and the ability to order as much as desired is appreciated.
However, a few guests mentioned downsides such as the breakfast not being included in the room rate, a limited menu during the COVID period and an awkward ordering process. There were also comments on the selection of bread needing improvement and occasional slow service. While some found the breakfast poor and expensive, the majority seemed to enjoy the flavorful offerings and the delightful setting.
In summary, breakfast at Pensione Bencistà is mostly well-received for its quality, variety and picturesque views, despite some criticisms regarding cost and service speed.
Dinner
Pensione Bencistà offers an exceptional dining experience with stunning views of Florence, especially when dining on the scenic terrace. The food at the in-house restaurant receives a mix of reviews with many praising the freshness and quality of the dishes, which often feature local and seasonal ingredients. Diners frequently highlight the friendly and attentive service provided by the staff, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Some guests find the menu to be too minimalist and restricted, lacking in traditional Tuscan staples such as pizza and pasta. Despite this, several reviews commend the à la carte options for their taste and value for money. The half-board option also receives high marks for its delightful, freshly prepared meals. While a few reviewers mention that the prices are a bit steep and the food not particularly unique, the overall sentiment towards the restaurant remains positive with many enjoying their meals and recommending the dining option to others.
The ambience is another highlight with the beautiful building and comfortable accommodations contributing to the memorable dining experience. However, there are occasional mentions of underwhelming dishes, suggesting that the quality can be somewhat inconsistent. Nonetheless, the combination of delicious food, amazing service and breathtaking views makes dining at Pensione Bencistà a notable aspect of the hotel stay.
Rooms
Pensione Bencistà offers a charming, rustic experience with rooms that are generally comfortable and clean. Many guests appreciated the cozy ambiance and authentic yet tasteful decor. The simple rooms often feature lovely views, particularly of the garden, which adds to the pleasant atmosphere. Bedding is noted for its comfort with some rooms equipped with air conditioning and mosquito nets for added convenience.
On the downside, a few visitors found the rooms somewhat basic with outdated facilities and small bathrooms. Some elements, such as short beds and cramped sinks, detracted from the overall experience for certain guests. Noise from the kitchen below some rooms and the lack of soundproofing in the structure were points of concern for a few.
Despite these issues, the spacious rooms furnished with antique pieces, the classic decorative style and the stunning views make Pensione Bencistà a delightful destination for travelers seeking a mixture of historical charm and comfort. However, it is clear that some areas could benefit from modernization to enhance the guest experience further.
Beds
Pensione Bencistà has garnered commendable feedback for its bedding with guests frequently highlighting the comfort of the mattresses and the availability of pillows in various thicknesses and materials. Many visitors found the beds exceptionally comfortable, often describing them as the comfiest they have experienced in an Italian hotel. The rooms, in addition to being cozy, generally feature good quality bedding and comfortable beds.
However, a few issues have been noted. Some guests mentioned that the wooden beds make noise with movement, which could disturb light sleepers. There were also remarks about the beds being too short and, in certain cases, too hard, potentially affecting the sleep quality for some visitors. Additionally, the hairdryers provided in the rooms were described as old and not very efficient. Overall, despite a few minor setbacks, the bedding at Pensione Bencistà largely contributes to a restful and pleasant stay.
Cleanliness
Pensione Bencistà, an ancient Medici house, receives high marks for its cleanliness and charm. Guests frequently comment on the spotless conditions of both the rooms and bathrooms, noting that the room cleaning is perfect and the overall cleanliness is impressive. The establishment maintains its historic character with functional antique furniture, adding to its serene and romantic ambiance. Rooms come well-equipped with all necessary facilities and are often described as comfortable with some offering stunning garden views.
While most reviews highlight the immaculate conditions and well-maintained common areas, there are some mixed feelings about room sizes and certain amenities. Some guests find the rooms a bit too basic given the price and there are mentions of hard bedding and noise due to lack of soundproofing. Issues like room door closures and the disparity between the actual room appearance and online descriptions are noted as well.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the hotel's tranquil environment, combined with its high cleanliness standards and proper management, leave a positive impression on visitors. The Pensione Bencistà succeeds in delivering a clean, serene and charming stay in a beautifully preserved historical setting.
Staff
Visitors to Pensione Bencistà consistently commend the hotel’s staff for their exceptional service and friendliness. Guests highlight the staff's kindness, noting their willingness to go above and beyond in ensuring a pleasant stay. The personnel are described as incredibly helpful, patient and professional, creating a welcoming atmosphere that makes guests feel at home. Many reviews specifically praise the staff's attentiveness and the warm, friendly environment they cultivate.
Additionally, the reception and restaurant personnel receive particular accolades for their courtesy and resourcefulness, whether in handling routine requests or more urgent needs, such as finding a doctor. Although there were occasional mentions of slow service on the terrace and some instances of the staff not being consistently friendly, these were minor points in an overwhelmingly positive overall assessment.
Guests also appreciate the historic and stylish ambiance of the hotel, the breathtaking views over Florence from the terraces and the comfortable and tastefully decorated rooms. The dedication and amiability of the staff contribute significantly to the charm and allure of this special place.
Historic
Nestled on the picturesque hills of Florence, Pensione Bencistà is a historical gem that exudes charm and character at every turn. This stunning old villa, steeped in history, showcases a 19th-century atmosphere throughout with venerable furnishings and antiques that transport guests to another era. The building has been wonderfully preserved, retaining its ancient structure and tasteful decor, providing a beautiful historical location that feels like a novel from another century.
The charm of the house is augmented by its incredible setting—a splendid property surrounded by lush countryside, offering spectacular views and an amazing garden. This old Tuscan manor, full of stylishly done antiques, creates the perfect "Florence feeling". Guests are treated to a unique blend of historic architecture and appropriate decor, all impeccably maintained and very clean. Pensione Bencistà is indeed a house with history, providing an old-world experience that captivates and enchants.
No, Pensione Bencistà doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Pensione Bencistà.
Yes, Pensione Bencistà welcomes dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Pensione Bencistà.