A person visiting Florence cannot go wrong, really, booking a stay here. It has just about everything a person would want for a "place to call home." We were there for a total of 10 days and were happy with this hotel.
First of all, LOCATION! Check out the pictures I have uploaded.The Bernini Palace is on the corner of the Piazza di S. Firenze. Step out the front door and straight ahead on the Via del Proconsolo is The Bargello (don't miss it!). Continue walking about 5 minutes or less and you'll be at the Duomo; or turn right at the front door and walk 3 minutes on Borgo dei Greci and you'll be at Santa Croce; turn left at the front door and walk 1 minute on the Via di Gondi and you come to the Piazza della Signoria and the Palazzo Vecchio. Within easy walking distance are many restaurants and cafes -- Circus, Yellow Bar, Alle Murate, Finis Terrae, IL Caminetto -- to name a few. And don't miss the Straw Market (just a minute beyond the Piazza della Signoria) for purchasing modestly-priced gifts to take home.
The hotel is very classy and elegant. Our room was on the fifth floor, faced the Piazza and was spacious. It had a very comfortable bed, large bathroom with PLENTY of counterspace, widescreen TV, mini fridge, and safe. And, surprise, surprise--there were an adequate number of outlets for our electronic devices! Hooray.
Yes, the room was very clean and well maintained. As for the service provided by the staff: the housekeepers were very pleasant and accommodating, though few spoke much English. The breakfast buffet delicious and more than adequate with offerings to suit every kind of traveler. The wait staff were pleasant,on the ball, and did not. The front desk clerks were professional and courteous. Italians haven't caught on to the "Wal-Mart Greeter" concept yet, and I suspect that many on this hotel's front desk staff were not too comfortable with their command of our language. However, when we asked for help, they dd take care of us.
Any negatives? A few, but not enough to lower their rating: 1) IF you are a light sleeper, you will want to ask for a room NOT facing the front. There was a lot of street noise at night (due to the narrow street and the walls of the building which carried the sound upward) with all the excitement of the World Cup games beginning and festivities related to that, to Fashion Week (around June 19, 20, 21) and the Feast of St. John the Baptist, patron saint of Florence (June 24). There were at least four parades that passed under our window while we were there. We had no problem sleeping ever and liked being on the side where all the action was; 2) wash cloths for the face (square ones) are not common in Italy. If you like to use them, ask housekeeping and they will bring you what you need; 3) Wi-fi is free but your access is limited to a 2-day pass at a time, which can be renewed as long as you are a guest; and 4) the shower door needs to be a bit longer; it didn't prevent splashing outside the tub area.
Since we were part of a tour through Tauck, I can't comment on the value of this hotel. All I can say is that it was an excellent choice.