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Florence is equipped with hotels for all budgets; for instance, you can find both budget and luxury hotels in the centro storico (historic center) and along the Arno. Florence has so many famous landmarks that it's not hard to find lodging with a panoramic view. The equivalent of the genteel pensioni of yesteryear can still be found, though they are now officially classified as hotels. Generally small and intimate, they often have a quaint appeal that usually doesn't preclude modern plumbing.
Florence's importance not only as a tourist city but also as a convention center and the site of the Pitti fashion collections guarantees a variety of accommodations. The high demand also means that reservations are a must, except for in winter.
If you find yourself in Florence with no reservations, go to Consorzio ITA (Stazione Centrale, Santa Maria Novella 055/282893). You must go there in person to make a booking.
In addition to guest rooms with four-poster beds and sweeping drapes, this 19th-century palazzo has a charming, flower-filled terrace where you can sip a glass of wine while taking in a view of Brunelleschi's cupola. Complimentary coffee, tea, and fruit are on hand all day in the comfortable sitting room; there's also an honor bar with both wine and spirits. Single rooms are large by Italian standards—a boon if you're traveling alone.
In this home that is part of a 15th-century palazzo, a cozy feeling permeates the charming rooms, all of which are uniquely decorated and lovingly furnished; some have damask curtains, others fanciful frescoes in the bathroom. With the exquisite service, too, the Pini family has made it clear they want you to treat their house as if it were your own.
Each simply furnished room in this residenza (guesthouse) is painted a different pastel color—peach, rose, powder-blue—and double-glazed windows ensure a peaceful night's sleep. You might ask for one of the rooms that has a small private terrace; if you contemplate a longer stay, one of the well-located apartments might suit. Coffee, tea, and fresh fruit, available all day in the sitting room, are on the house. During certain times of the year, the hotel requests a minimum seven-day stay.
In the foothills between Florence and Fiesole are these lovely apartments, which sleep 4 to 11 people, and rooms, which vary in size, have private bathrooms, and sleep up to two adults and two children. Many accommodations are in a former convent, and some are scattered around the farm; all have wooden floors, simple and sturdy furniture, and apartments have modern kitchens; most also have splendid views onto olive groves (olive oil is produced by the fattoria owners).
Some rooms here have views of the Palazzo Vecchio, and others of the Arno; the rooftop terrace, where you can have breakfast or an aperitivo, is decked with flowers. The lobby suggests a friend's living room while double glazing and air-conditioning help keep street noise at bay.
In addition to a tremendous view of the Boboli Gardens, this mazelike pensione near the Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti has simply furnished but mostly large rooms and a sunny breakfast room. In warm weather, two flower-bedecked terraces are open; one has a stunning 360-degree view of Florence and is the perfect spot to sip a glass of wine or enjoy dinner, and you don't even have to be a hotel guest.
Nestled in an old building just a stone's throw from the main civic square (Piazza Signoria), this charming little boutique hotel offers peace and elegance. Many of the rooms have 18th-century frescoes on their ceilings, and all have hydromassage showers (some have a steam room). You can enjoy an aperitivo from the bar, and sip it in a comfortable sitting room.
Rooms in this 15th-century palazzo, entered via a courtyard with potted plants and sculpture-filled niches, are simply furnished; some have Arno views, others have stuccoed ceilings. Breakfast is served in a room that preserves an Empire feel (including two chandeliers from the early 19th century). When it's warm, a large, sunny terrace is the perfect place to read.
The 15th-century building has all modern conveniences, but Renaissance charm still shines in the high-ceiling rooms. The Bargiacchi family has run the place for more than 20 years, and their collection of 20th-century art contrasts nicely with classic furnishings. Larger-than-usual single rooms have French-style beds, and are a good choice for those traveling alone. Breakfast can be taken in a small outdoor garden when weather permits.
