Theoretically the three star Sempione is only 100 meters from the train station. Maybe so but it is the longest 100 meters I’ve ever walked. It takes us about 15 minutes to get to the hotel. Via Nazionale runs right by the train station so even Tom and I find it difficult to get lost.
The hotel is in a so-so neighborhood but its location is very convenient to the major tourist attractions, restaurants, bars and internet cafés. Most importantly it is next door to a great coffee bar and two doors from a Gelato shop.
It has been recently renovated and with 31 rooms is small enough to feel homey and large enough to provide services like 24 hour front desk staffing. The rooms are clean, airy and, as is so important in summery Italy, air-conditioned. The clerks are very helpful and speak excellent English. They take care of all our museum reservations. We are also very happy with the room rate.
On the negative side, Tom and I decide that breakfast is barely edible, the dining room is too small and for the first time in Italy the coffee sucks. Fortunately we have the next door coffee bar. They do serve drinks in the lobby but the desk clerk does the serving so it doesn’t work very well.
In summary, I think it deserves its three stars and is a good value. You can send emails to "hotel.sempione@firenzealbergo.it".