There are only three caveats for the hotel visitor: First, rooms overlooking Via Calzaiuoli can be noisy, if you keep the windows open. Second, room service is available only until 22:30. Now, I know you did not come to Florence to dine in the hotel (indeed the hotel restaurant was always empty and probably not working), but it would be nice to know that if you return to your room late at night, tired and hungry, you don't need to worry about dinner. And third, we could not figure out how to switch off only one of the side bedlights. It was either both or none.
Having taken those quibbles out of my system, let me move on to the essentials:
The room (de luxe with views on Via Calzaiuoli) is, as expected, standard size by European standards, but on the small side for American ones.
But it has every little luxury you might need, from thick and soft bathrobes to a kettle with complimentary tea, coffee an tizanes (I just wish that they did not choose those stylish coffee mugs with crooked handles, which are perfect for right handed people, but awkward for lefties). It is comfortable, modern (very relaxing when your whole day is steeped in renaisance culture), with beautiful hardwood floors. Quality and taste of furninshings, fabrics etc are impeccable and the pale lavender walls give the room a calm and relaxing feel. Everything was brand new and spotlessly clean.
At breakfast choice is rather limited (compared to the mile long buffet of 5 star hotels), but, again, quality is high: fresh and baked fruit, excellent prosciutto, croissants, florence pastries and cake (plus the usual scrambled eggs, potatoes, saussages, cheese, yoghourt and cereal). Never mind the bread. There is not a single place in Florence with decent bread (focaccias are a different matter) - if it's white bread you are after, go to France instead! And the espresso is exactly what good italian espresso is supposed to be.
But never mind all that - the biggest asset of the hotel (apart from its location - 5 mins walk from the Duomo, another 5, on the other direction, from the Signoria and less than 5 on the third from the Palazzo Strozzi) is definitely its staff. Is there a language that Sergio does not speak, an information that he cannot provide, a thing that he cannot arrange (and always with a smile)? If there is, I have not found it during my stay.