When you think of hostels, indoor pools, a gym and a sauna are not the first things that usually spring to mind, but Plus Florence is not your average hostel. Florence is a notoriously expensive holiday destination, and finding budget accommodation can be a challenge, so naturally when I found this I jumped at the opportunity to stay at a hostel, with a pool, sauna and good location for less than 35 EUR (approx 38 USD) a night. For my fellow budget travellers, who may be used to ‘living it rough’ in cheap and dingy hostels, it will come as a great pleasure to have clean linen, a working shower, and finally a towel which is actually white - and not a dilapidated shade of mouldy yellow.
Rejuvenate your travel weariness in the pool, sauna and gym
Pool, sauna and gymnasium are three nouns which are almost never used in tandem with the word hostel, but at Florence Plus they come as standard. There is both an indoor pool as well as an outdoor pool (in the summer), and whilst the indoor facilities are small and aimed at primarily for people to bathe in, it is still big enough to do some lengths in peace, and a great place to unwind after a long day sightseeing. The hostel also offers a sauna and gym, which although they may not be the most spacious in size are still extraordinary luxuries for the price of this superb budget hostel.
A bathroom which smells of chlorine, free soap, shampoo, and a shower that actually works
Living in hostels can often leave you rather below par in both the realms of hygiene and cleanliness, however Plus Florence has a first class solution. With showers which remain hot and powerful all day long, and complimentary shampoo and soap you will be able to revitalise your personal hygiene to a state of pre-travelling cleanliness and simply bask in the enjoyment of everything working as it should do. The toilets are immaculate, and give off an overwhelming scent of chlorine which although peculiar is a surprisingly nice change, and it somewhat encapsulates the hostel overriding sentiment of cleanliness and functionality.
Get a great night’s rest in a room that is just for you
Once again, when thinking of hostels the image that comes to mind is crowded bunk beds, and sweaty roommates, however, in Plus Florence this is very much not the case. Primarily, the layout of the rooms is different to that of most hostels and you will find two single beds alongside two bunk beds. I was fortunate enough to be given my own private suite at no extra charge and although this is by no means a guarantee it just shows you the kind of quality of service Plus Florence are so readily disposed to offer. Again the hostel excels with the basics and from safe and secure lockers, to reading lamps, light switches and plug sockets by your bed this really is a place where you will easily find yourself feeling at home.
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A great place for socialising
Given the sheer size of this hostel, there are obviously loads of opportunities for socialising, and the hostel helps to facilitate this with a bar, restaurant and a rooftop terrace. As in any hostels you cannot predict just how good the ‘vibe’ will be as it depends on who is staying there at any given time, but the opportunity of 3 different locations to socialise in means that if you do not like one you can simply go to the other.
Make your stay a "plus one"
Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and I need not waste my time on selling it to you, but rather than staying in some dark dingy hostel which won’t do your stay justice, or paying over the odds for a mediocre hotel, why not pay a little bit extra (or less) to get the Plus Florence experience? Situated just out of the hustle and bustle of the tourist city centre this is a great location as you get an insight into the more local city life. It is also within walking distance of both the city centre and the train station, and thus the only mode of transport you will need is your own two feet.
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