Upon arrival at the Ostello Gallo D’Oro the traveler feels welcome. No rush at the check in and you are greeted with a small bottle of water or a cup of coffee, guess depending how tired you look. It is a real hostel, with kitchen, common room, breakfast and nice, clean rooms. The owners are very helpful, even make phone calls for you to set your reservation for the next hostel up or make sure you will have a table at the restaurant you want to have dinner. Free internet and wifi and a lot of other convenient things are there. You ask why I don’t give 5 stars? Answer, I stayed at a 5 bed dorm with bathroom inside and paid 25€ (April 08). An Italian who called but never showed up was told he would pay 27€ and the American student, sharing the same room at the same time with me paid 30€ a night! The price policy in Italian hostels amazes me every time. Check what you pay when you stay there!!

My personal choice in Florence is the Ostello Archi Rossi. It is bigger than Gallo D'Oro, but has fixed rates which will be shown to you on a list when you check in. The breakfast is the best hostel breakfast all over Italy, they even serve omlette or bacon and eggs in the morning and  they open there little restaurant in the evening, where you can order a nice 3 course meal for only 6€uro. Not beatable in Florence. Check the websites, the links are below.

www.ostellogallodoro.com

www.hostelarchirossi.com