The Social Hub Florence Belfiore

"There was a damp smell in my bathroom upon arrival and bad smell coming from the fridge. I had to take it upon myself to go and ask for fresh towels and get rid of my other one. I asked when my room was to be cleaned and if they could arrange for this to be done, i was met with a inexpressive and unapologetic “it will get cleaned tomorrow”, after 4 days and in 29 degree heat I would’ve appreciated that they took my question as a request and organised my room being cleaned and sheets changed a day earlier however my presence seemed to be a hindrance despite being in a hotel. Would agree with a previous review that staff have a too cool to care vibe and lack general hospitality or welcoming atmosphere To summarise you will be made to feel like a hindrance rather than a paying guest. Very disappointing and embarrassing for the brand. Would advise other travellers to pick somewhere else although the pool is lovely."

"The rooms are actually very nice—modern, clean, comfortable, and well designed. Unfortunately, the hospitality seems to have been left out of the design brief. The entire hotel has an exhausting “too cool to care” vibe. There is a noticeable lack of warmth or engagement, and the blank stares are plentiful. At times I genuinely wondered whether speaking to guests was discouraged. Eye contact may be an optional upgrade. I understand The Social Hub is going for young, trendy and communal, but somehow it manages to feel less like a welcoming hotel and more like you’ve wandered into a private members’ club where nobody told you the dress code—or particularly wants you there. There’s nothing wrong with appealing to a younger crowd. But being hip and being hospitable are not mutually exclusive. A little warmth, acknowledgment and basic human interaction would go a long way. Two stars because the room itself deserves credit. The vibe does not. I wouldn’t stay again."

"I chose this hotel because it was advertised as a remote‑work‑friendly property with a tranquil rooftop pool and relaxing city‑view rooms. The marketing suggests a calm, modern environment ideal for productivity and longer stays. What I actually experienced was the opposite: concrete views, nightly rooftop parties that echoed directly into the rooms, and an overall atmosphere that felt far closer to a student frat house than a professional co‑living hotel. The Good The downstairs common areas are genuinely beautiful — modern, bright, and thoughtfully designed. The restaurant staff were consistently excellent, friendly, and professional. The lobby, café, and co‑working spaces look exactly like the photos and create a great first impression when you arrive. The Bad I booked this property for its advertised remote‑working vibe, tranquil rooftop pool, and city‑view rooms, but what I got instead were concrete views and screaming partiers on the roof most nights, with the noise echoing directly into the rooms. The rooftop pool deck also does not match the website photos: loungers are placed directly along the pool edge, leaving only inches to squeeze past people sunbathing and the water. People smoke on the 2nd level near the pool, and the smoke drifts into the seating and walkway. The staff member at the pool desk mostly looked at her phone, made faces, and didn’t assist with anything. Inside the room, the shower leaked, and there were odd water stains on the raw concrete ceiling — concerning for a new building. Housekeeping was also an issue: five days into my stay, I had to ask for cleaning, and was told, “oh yeah, you only get it one time during your week, so maybe it’s too late?” This was never mentioned at check‑in or advertised anywhere. And the really bad. I was specifically told this location was more “remote‑work focused” and less student‑oriented, but the reality was the opposite. It’s one of the two Social Hub properties in Florence, and the rooftop regularly had loud, frat‑party‑style gatherings at night. The party atmosphere echoed into the rooms and made the hotel feel more like student housing than a place designed for remote workers or long‑stay guests. The contrast between the polished downstairs spaces and the chaotic, cramped, and poorly maintained guest floors was stark. On top of that, the room I was initially given was in a wing that felt neglected and noticeably dirtier than the rest of the hotel. The room itself had a vile, sour‑milk odor — almost like something had died behind the walls — and it hit me every time I walked back in, enough to make me gag. I had to ask to be moved, and while the new room was better, I received no explanation, no apology, and no compensation for being placed in a filthy, foul‑smelling room in the first place. For a hotel marketed as modern and professional, this was deeply disappointing."