My April 2026 stay at the Hotel Indigo Florence in Italy was only 1 night, but I could have happily stayed a few days longer, as the hotel was well-located, comfortable, and felt more like a boutique, Italian-inspired design hotel than a big-brand chain hotel.
However, there are a few things you should know before booking to ensure the best possible stay.
1. Compare Booking Options for the Best Deal
I almost always prefer to book directly, especially with IHG, where I hold IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status (a perk of my IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card). I value status recognition and the perks that accompany it (such as late checkout and room upgrades when available), as well as the ability to earn or redeem points for a stay.
However, in this case, the Hotel Indigo Florence‘s rate for a standard room and breakfast was $350 when booked directly (or 82,000 IHG One Rewards points) but only $270 on Chase Travel. Plus, I had an annual $50 Chase Travel hotel credit, a perk of my Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, waiting to be spent. This took the final cost down to $220 for my 1-night stay and breakfast.
Ultimately, my elite status wasn’t recognized, and I didn’t earn points on my stay. But I felt that for the short and sweet 1-night stay, I didn’t really need an upgrade (which is based on availability anyway), and I thought saving $130 and finally taking advantage of a credit card perk I’d (gasp) forgotten about in prior years was well worth it.
I always suggest comparing costs and considering whether it may be worth booking directly rather than through a credit card travel portal (at any hotel, but especially this one), especially for quick stays like 1 or 2 nights.
2. Cozy and Comfortable
This definitely isn’t the fanciest or most luxurious hotel in Florence, but it’s comfortable and cozy. I slept well on my supportive, soft bed in the standard room (and I loved laying my head beneath the Latin-inspired headboard).
My showers were hot, the bath amenities by Biology smelled fresh and pleasant, and I felt safe as a solo female traveler with an extra lock on the door.
The entire hotel felt approachable, with small but welcoming spaces.
The pool area looked more like a family-operated agriturismo (an Italian-style farmhouse accommodation) than a chain hotel, and there was a small game room with a ping-pong table and foosball, plus a small fitness room.
The outdoor courtyard seating at Biomino’s was bright and welcoming, and felt more like someone’s backyard than a hotel.
Although I didn’t eat in the restaurant (just the breakfast nook), the indoor space was peaceful, and I spent some time on my computer, sipping a coffee and soaking in the ambience.
I appreciated this boutique vibe, which felt more Italian and less like I could have been in any city in the world. It’s true that Hotel Indigo focuses on neighborhood-inspired stays, and the Hotel Indigo Florence really embodies its philosophy, infusing its design and service with Italian vibes. I might just add it to my list of favorite hotels in Italy to book with points.
3. Experience the Bold, Italian-Inspired Decor and Design Touches
In my opinion, Italy’s general design aesthetic comes in 2 versions: the classical, elegant, historical one — think the Medici palaces and Caravaggio art — and the fashionable, bold, and bright one.
The Hotel Indigo Florence opted for the latter, with a few incorporations of the elegance, too. The Italians do it right and go big or go home. The entire lobby was decked out in red with herringbone patterns. Hallways had loud, patterned carpets. The restaurant had velvet chairs and sofas in rich jewel tones.
My room was painted bright yellow and featured velvetine pillows and an ottoman, a swirling, patterned headboard, a vintage telephone, and a painting of a royal blowing a bubble with his gum.
It was the opposite of understated, and I loved the bright, fun room and the hotel’s overall aesthetic. In case I had forgotten where I was, it was surely Italy.
4. Convenient Location and Breakfast
Convenience was key for me during this stay, and the Hotel Indigo Florence came through on all fronts.
Location
My stay was a short one, and I needed to catch a transfer at the Santa Maria Novella train station the following day. When booking my hotel, I wanted to find somewhere close enough to the train station to walk the distance with my large roller suitcase. When I put the hotel’s location into Google Maps, it was an 8-minute walk from the station: perfect. It was also a 10- to 20-minute walk from popular tourist attractions in Florence, such as the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio.
I will say that there are certain cities where I would prefer to stay in hotels slightly farther away from the train station, as some European train stations aren’t in the best areas of town.
That said, I’ve always felt safe in the area around Santa Maria Novella. It’s true that some of the streets directly bordering the station have a slightly seedier feel than the rest of the city, but I walked back to the hotel at night after meeting friends for dinner in Florence’s historic center and didn’t feel unsafe at all.
If you’re looking for a safe and quiet stay while still being within walking distance from Florence’s main train station, the Hotel Indigo Florence is an excellent choice.
Breakfast
I loved that breakfast was offered from 7 to 10:30 a.m. I wanted to make the most of the morning in Florence before leaving, so I ate around 8 a.m. and then went to explore the city and its top museums and attractions.
The spread looked delicious. In the traditional Italian breakfast style, it offered lots of sweet cakes and pastries, as well as eggs, veggies, fresh fruit, cheese, and cold cuts. Of course, I could get my morning espresso, too, and even in cool animal-print coffee cups.
The buffet was the right size, with plenty of choices but not overwhelmingly large. A staff member checked me in, and I was serving myself in no time.
5. Expect Some Disorganization (It’s Italy)
I mentioned earlier that the hotel felt very Italian, and this included both the good and the bad. I loved its local Italian design and vibes, but Italy can be disorganized, and unfortunately, I experienced this as well.
When I checked in, my elite status wasn’t recognized, which was fine (I had expected this when booking through Chase). Still, I asked a staff member if I could have late checkout, and they said “of course” and confirmed it for 2 p.m. However, there was a lot going on at the desk, and the staff member seemed distracted.
This is why I asked another staff member the following morning after breakfast to confirm my late checkout. Apparently, the person who confirmed my late checkout the day before hadn’t added it to my reservation.
Not only was it not noted, but I also had to finagle a bit with the staff member to get it (it’s only for elite members, he told me, which I told him I was, even though I hadn’t booked directly) — and only until 1 p.m. I was surprised by the lack of clear rules regarding late checkout, as I hadn’t expected it to be granted on Day 1 only to be almost denied on Day 2 until I chatted my way into it.
I didn’t love the disconnect between the staff members, as late checkout seemed to be given or withheld on a whim, and I was annoyed that it wasn’t noted in my reservation the first time I asked.
I realize that things like late checkout are never guaranteed, but if a certain staff member told me I could have it, I would have appreciated it being honored without having to have a full-on discussion with another staff member the next morning.
If you do stay here and want a late checkout, if it’s granted, make sure the staff member notes it in your reservation and plan to follow up; otherwise, you may not get it after all.
Final Thoughts
The Hotel Indigo Florence is ideal for a short stay, with Italian-inspired decor, comfortable rooms, an inviting pool, and a convenient location. Before booking, compare pricing and decide whether it makes sense to book directly or via a credit card travel portal, and clearly communicate any and all requests to staff, including follow-up, to ensure your stay goes smoothly.