We were set to stay in Florence for three days before joining a tour group for the rest of our vacation. I chose Hotel Alessandra because it seemed to have the best combination of price, location, and overall charm/vibe. We were not disappointed at all.
We were delayed a day when a connecting flight was canceled. When we arrived to check in we were told that they felt bad for us that that happened and that we'd get free breakfast for the days that we were there. They definitely did not have to do that, but every part of the staff was above and beyond with kindness and helpfulness throughout our stay.
The location was superb with the entrance in a quiet alley (Florence is one of the safest cities I've been in, so don't worry about that), but you are truly right in the middle of things with great shops, restaurants, and landmarks all very, very close. I'm sure all of the rooms are different because of the age of the building, but ours was palatial, with parquet flooring, huge windows overlooking the river, and a full bathroom with tub.
A couple of tips:
1. Stairs. The building was built in the 1500's so there are a lot of stairs. The lift doesn't start until the first landing, so there will be at least a few stairs every time you come or go. BUT…
2. While the lift looks strange (built into the middle of the stairwell, don't be afraid of it. It functions perfectly and is part of the experience.