Luxury Rental Review: Bardi Apartment
As mentioned in this post about Florence/Tuscany, renting an apartment is an absolute cost saver, compared to the cost of a hotel room during high season! I booked a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment for a fraction of the cost of booking a 4 or 5 star hotel; the rental also included a full kitchen with modern equipment, a dining/living area, and laundry units.
The quick to know:
This is a fantastic option if you're traveling with extended family, or a couples trip. We used the space for 4 people. The extra space was invaluable, and it was wonderful to have a common area for spending time together, after Claire went to sleep.
The details:
It was easy to communicate with the apartment manager and his staff. They spoke English fluently, gave neighborhood recommendations, and responded to questions in a timely manner. They even arranged at an affordable added cost for some light grocery shopping to be completed before our arrival, and for a cleaning staff to come once a day. The manager also prepared a delicious Caprese salad for our arrival -- a lovely touch! After a long trans-Atlantic journey, it was greatly appreciated to walk into the apartment and have some food waiting for us.
The apartment itself was spotless and clean, and the beds comfortable with crisp white linens. The kitchen and living area were spacious (a luxury for downtown apartment housing), and the view and location couldn't get better! Pictured below is the view of the Uffizzi Gallery from our apartment window! Additionally, the apartment was a 30 second walk from the Ponte Vecchio, and a 15 minute walk to the historical center.
A head’s up for families traveling with small kids:
The apartment has many decorative pieces inside, and let’s just say I was thrilled Claire was not walking yet. My maternal premonition skills could easily envision tiny hands grabbing one of the beautiful vases and running off! Therefore, while I recommend this rental for adults, older children, and even well behaved younger ones, I would think twice if you have a toddler or mobile infant in tow.
Would I Return?
I would try another one of the company’s other apartments, but wouldn’t necessarily go back to this one with young kids. However, it is a great option for couples, adults, and those that wish to be close to the action. If you’re interested in booking you can do so here.
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