Ruby Bea Hotel

Ruby Bea Hotel, Florence: A Comprehensive Review of a Michelin Key Selected Property

The Ruby Bea Hotel in Florence, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently receives high praise from guests for its modern design, exceptional service, and comfortable accommodations, offering a "lean luxury" experience. Situated on the grand Piazza della Libertà, the hotel blends historic charm with a contemporary, artful twist, drawing inspiration from the Italian Renaissance.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Ruby Bea Hotel is overwhelmingly positive. Guests frequently rate it highly for cleanliness, staff service, and comfort, with scores often in the 9.0 to 9.5 range on various booking platforms. Many describe their stay as "wonderful" and "perfect," highlighting the hotel's ability to offer incredible value for money.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of the Ruby Bea Hotel:

• Design & Ambiance: The hotel's modern, minimalist, and stylish design, which incorporates Italian Renaissance influences with bold geometric shapes and unique artwork, is a major draw. The atmosphere is often described as stylish yet cozy.
• Service & Staff: The staff receives continuous accolades for being wonderful, friendly, helpful, and attentive, often going "above and beyond" to accommodate needs.
• Cleanliness: The hotel maintains exceptionally high standards of cleanliness, which is frequently noted and appreciated by guests.
• Comfort: Rooms are consistently praised for their comfort, including luxurious mattresses and soundproofing, ensuring a relaxing stay.
• Amenities: Features like free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour bar, and the convenience of self check-in screens are often highlighted. A bidet in the bathrooms was even noted as a highlight by one guest.

3. Room Quality

Ruby Bea Hotel offers a range of comfortable and soundproofed rooms, from "Cosy" (15m²/161 sq ft) to more spacious "Loft" (25m²/269 sq ft) and two-level "Maisonette" (45m²/484 sq ft) options. Rooms feature hardwood floors, air conditioning, flat-screen LED televisions with satellite channels, laptop-compatible safes, and private bathrooms with rainfall showerheads and complimentary aromatherapy Ruby Care products. Beds are typically spacious, ranging from 160cm to 180cm wide, with oversized bedding. Many rooms include a work desk and wardrobe, with some "Loft" and "Lovely" rooms also offering private balconies. Guests appreciate the clean, modern, and well-detailed rooms, often highlighting the presence of Marshall speakers for entertainment. While the design is modern, a minor criticism noted by some was the "warmth of the room decor".

4. Dining Experience

The hotel offers a healthy breakfast buffet with locally sourced treats, organic teas, and bottomless barista coffee. Options include fresh fruit, superfood cereals, wholegrain bread, and a selection of meats and cheeses. Lactose-free milk (soy, oat, and lactose-free) and a small range of vegan choices are also available. While generally considered good, some guests have expressed a desire for more variety, particularly hot breakfast items. The hotel also features a lively 24-hour bar, which serves signature cocktails, local tipples, and afternoon snacks, acting as a central hub for guests.

5. Service & Staff

The staff at Ruby Bea Hotel consistently receives outstanding feedback. Guests frequently describe them as "wonderful," "friendly," "helpful," and "attentive". The service is often highlighted as exceeding expectations, with staff making stays "extra special" through thoughtful gestures like room upgrades. The presence of a 24-hour front desk, express check-in/check-out, and luggage storage further enhances the convenience for guests.

6. Location & Accessibility

Located on Piazza della Libertà, the Ruby Bea Hotel is situated on the edge of Florence's historic city center, offering a good balance of accessibility to attractions while being slightly removed from the busiest and most crowded areas. This location is considered ideal for exploring the city, with many of Florence's galleries, museums, and architectural marvels within walking distance. Key attractions like the Gallery of the Academy of Florence and Central Market are about an 11-13 minute walk away, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is roughly an 18-minute walk. The hotel benefits from excellent public transport links, with tram and bus stops conveniently located right outside the door, making further exploration effortless. Florence's main station is a ten-minute tram ride away, and the airport is approximately a 30-minute journey.

7. Value & Pricing

Many guests consider the Ruby Bea Hotel to offer "incredible value for money". Prices can vary, with rates starting from around $93 on KAYAK and US$113 on Trip.com. Generally, cheaper deals can be found in December and February, while Saturdays tend to be the most expensive day to stay. The "lean luxury" concept of the Ruby Hotels group aims to provide luxury for less, which resonates well with guests.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are overwhelmingly positive, the most frequent point of criticism revolves around the breakfast variety, with some guests expressing a desire for more hot breakfast options. A minor, less frequent comment noted was about the "warmth of the room decor". Overall, recurring issues or significant criticisms appear to be minimal.

Sources

1. kayak.com
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6. michelin.com
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10. hotels-of-florence.net
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