We stayed at Casa Laura in November during Thanksgiving week. The location was excellent - walking distance to all the sites in the historic center. We were visiting our daughter who was studying with the Syracuse study abroad program. The apartment was also very close to their campus buildings and her home stay. We rented a car for the first few days and found parking nearby at the garage at Piazza della Liberta. Driving around the city was congested, but it was nice to have a car to explore Chianti and Parma. Daniele was very helpful at giving us info on places to go, how to arrange for a taxi, etc. The apartment kitchen had some items for making coffee as well as to allow us to bake an apple pie for our Thanksgiving dinner! We visited the grocery store and local open market a few times so that we could make dinner in two nights as well. There is no substitute for having a furnished apartment in one of the local neighborhoods! You truly do feel like you are immersed in the culture! The only downside was that it was hard to enjoy the open terrace as the temperature and rain made that challenging. This would have been great in the warmer months.

I stayed at Casa Laura with my mother. The apartment is very nice and has a lovely outside area. The bedrooms are big and the kitchen has everything you need. I didn't get to meet the owner as he was on holiday, but I did meet his mother who was very helpful.

The location is very good. I would stay there again.

My friend's and I stayed at Casa Laura and it was absolutely wonderful. The location was fantastic. Daniele was very hospitable and accommodating. Our accommodation was spacious and clean and very beautiful. We really enjoyed our stay and look forward to coming back in the future.

I have just gotten back after a holiday in Italy with my parents, and have to say Casa Laura was perfect. It was so comfortable and located centrally close to all amenities including supermarkets, an internet cafe, newsagents, cafes, restaurants - and was only a 10-minute walk to Florence's Duomo cathedral. We stayed at Casa Laura for two weeks and found it wonderful with plenty of space and a central internal courtyard, which was lovely for eating pasta on warm nights and drinking Chianti wine! Daniele was a fantastic host, and whenever we had any need or any question, he responded to us quickly and would turn up the next day with whatever it was we required. It was fantastic to have our own kitchen so we could work on our own Tuscan cooking! I would definitely recommend Casa Laura for anyone visiting Florence, especially anyone spending a couple of weeks or more in this wonderful city.

Our rating is based on accommodations - very good, location - excellent, value - very good.

8 Via Laura is within walking distance of everything you would want to see in Florence. It is around 1 km from the train station and an easy walk if you are so inclined. The Piazza Duomo is within 6 blocks which we used as our landmark when sightseeing. There are 4 supermarkets within 1 km, numerous restaurants, and lots of shopping opportunities close by. It is very quiet at night allowing for a good night's sleep.

When we first arrived we had concerns about the location but learned quickly that all of Florence businesses use pull down doors when they secure for the evening. To put the location in perspective, the Four Seasons Hotel is located in the block behind. We felt safe while we were walking in the day or evening.

The two bedroom apartment is on the ground floor and is very spacious. It is furnished with antique furniture that enhances the ambiance of apartment. It is a residence with apartments above. You can hear the neighbors when they come home from work and during the dinner - however this was not an issue for us. The courtyard is definitely a highlight for relaxing, enjoying a meal, or surfing the Internet. The kitchen is fully equipped. The bed we used was very comfortable. There is no TV - FYI. The bathroom meets your basic needs, but would be tight for a big person.

Daniele greeted us on arrival and went over the layout of the apartment. He also provided basic information on the highlights in the area. When we broke the key off in the outer door, Daniele responded promptly and fixed the problem.

It is important that people understand this is not a hotel room, but if you want an authentic Italian experience you should consider Casa Laura.

This is truly a gem in Florence - a great location on the main floor with a lovely courtyard. Although there was no air conditioning, the outside courtyard was our escape from the hustle of the city. It was so wonderful it made up for the noise of the neighbors above (with their windows open). A nice quiet street close to everything in Florence.