Hotel Locanda degli Artisti, in the heart of Borgo San Lorenzo
The Locanda degli Artisti is a small guesthouse in Borgo San Lorenzo, Tuscany, housed in a 19th-century building in the pedestrian centre. Rooms are simple, some with exposed beams, and there is a terrace. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to stay in the centre for a fair price and does not need grand hotel services.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Hotel Locanda degli Artisti.
Where to find the Locanda degli Artisti in Borgo San Lorenzo
The Hotel Locanda degli Artisti is on Piazza Romagnoli, in the pedestrian heart of Borgo San Lorenzo, in Tuscany. It is a 19th-century building facing a small square next to the pedestrian zone: the area is quiet, and shops and restaurants are just around the corner.
To get there without a car, the listing gives a bus stop about 50 metres away with a direct service to Florence. If you do come by car, bear in mind that access is only allowed for arrivals and departures. Before you set off, ask the property where to leave your car so you avoid surprises.
What the guesthouse is like and what the rooms are like
The Locanda degli Artisti is small and you notice it straight away: more guesthouse than hotel, where you are handed the key to the front door and the key to your room. The rooms are air-conditioned, with terracotta or marble floors, and some keep their exposed beams, a Tuscan touch I really like.
Here is a quick summary of what it offers, based on the property's details and guests' opinions.
| Feature | What you get |
|---|---|
| Rooms | Air-conditioned, with satellite TV and terracotta or marble floors |
| Bathroom | Private, with hairdryer and toiletries |
| Atmosphere | Exposed beams in some rooms, carefully furnished and with a certain old-world charm |
| Wi-Fi | Free throughout the property |
| Breakfast | Not on site, in a partner pastry shop in the lane next door |
| Terrace | Ideal for breakfast outdoors and for relaxing |
Opinions on room size vary. Some find them quite large, with Art Deco-style fittings, while others describe them as complete but not very spacious. I imagine them as simple and well kept, not the sort of rooms you photograph for social media.
What guests say about the Locanda degli Artisti
On Google the property averages 4.2 from 130 reviews, and most comments are very positive. Reading the reviews, these are the themes that come up most often.
- The owner. Many guests describe him as courteous, attentive and helpful, and one says they felt thoroughly looked after. In a place this small, the welcome makes a real difference.
- The location. Central but quiet, close to the pedestrian zone and easy to reach. For anyone travelling for work or stopping over for a night, that is a real plus.
- Breakfast. Those who have tried the partner pastry shop talk about a wide choice of very good-quality brioches.
Several guests also rate the value for money highly, and many talk about comfortable, clean rooms furnished with taste.
What to know before you book
Very negative reviews are few, but they deserve reading. The weak points are concrete, and a guesthouse like this is not for everyone, so it is better to know before you book.
- The stairs. One guest describes them as narrow and not suitable for older people with luggage, and the corridors are described as tight too.
- Cleanliness and maintenance. Some critical reviews mention rooms that were not clean, bathrooms in poor condition and a shower with cold water. These are isolated voices compared with the majority, but I would not ignore them.
- The bathroom. One guest says the room they had booked had an external bathroom and that the owner kindly moved them. When you book, make clear that you want a private bathroom.
- Breakfast is taken off site and, for some, it is meagre, with only one sweet and one savoury item included.
In short, you pay for the location and the welcome, not for the services of a large hotel. If that is what you expect, you will probably be happy.
Who it suits and who it does not
I would choose it for a couple, or for someone travelling alone who wants to walk to shops and restaurants without spending too much. It is also fine for a one-night stopover, as more than one guest says.
I would not recommend it to anyone who struggles with stairs, to those travelling with lots of luggage, or to anyone who wants breakfast in the hotel and the services of a big property. For a trip with a lot of driving, the pedestrian zone can be awkward.
What to do in Borgo San Lorenzo and nearby
Borgo San Lorenzo is in the Mugello, north of Florence, and the guesthouse is made for getting around on foot: shops, restaurants and the historic streets of the town are all right there. The terrace is handy for resting after a day out.
The bus takes you to Florence, while Lake Bilancino, about 15 kilometres away, works well for a half-day trip. If you would rather have a more countryside base, in Tuscany there are, for example, Agriturismo Gli Arancini in Montorio and Alla Battuta in Sansepolcro, which I mention here by name only. For another idea in the same region, there is also Azienda agricola Scerba in Casalguidi.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
