In the heart of Florence's San Lorenzo district, the hotel is very convenient to the Santa Maria Novella train station. Laid out over three floors, Hotel Corona D'Italia is housed in an nineteenth-century palace with clean and pleasing lines. Its interior, decorated with beautiful Florentine ceramics and elegant stucco cornices, is large and light-filled.

Via Nazionale 14
50123, Florence, ITALY
Ph. +39.055.261501
Fax +39.055.288639
www.hotelcoronaditalia.com/en/index.htm

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I'm a fairly regular visitor to Florence and have, over the years, built up a shortlist of my favourite places to stay. However, on my last trip, I happened to be in town at the same time as a large convention at Fortezzo da Basso; my shortlist was no use - I had to find somewhere new, which is how I came to be staying at Hotel Relais Il Cestello.

It's located on the south bank of the Arno, a short walk from both the centre and one of my favourite getway places, the Boboli Gardens (must write a tip about them one of these days). The only downside was no dedicated parking, but that's not so unusual in the centre of Florence, and you can get special rates at some nearby garages.

The hotel was a pleasant mix of old and new and has been well restored. Staff were friendly, not always a given in Florence, and gave me a great restaurant tip.
Not much more to say really - pricing was reasonable, and it's featured on my usual booking site for Italian hotels.

www.ahotelinitaly.com/hotel-relais-il-cestello-florence/
www.relaisilcestello.it/

Piazza di Cestello 9, 50124, Firenze

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Santo Spirito, as i think a few have pointed out, gives you a welcome breather from the tourists yet it can only be a hundred yards from the Ponte Vechhio.

It is popular with students and with the locals (nearby are some delis and whatnot so you actually see Florentines) and comes to life after nine or so in the evening.

At the top of the square is Brunelleschi’s spectacular church - as well as having a crucifix by a very young Michelangelo, it was studied and admired by many including Da Vinci and it is easy to see why. It is especially pretty when the facade is lit at night.

There are a few restaurants and a couple of bars in the square, the type of spots where, if you drink too many amerettos, they give you a tequilla on the house - the atmosphere is friendly at all of them.

Istayed at Antica Dimora with a friend but it would be especially nice to go there romantically - ask for a room with a little balcony. You can watch (and listen!) to the market being set up in the morning. The rooms are huge with lovely wooden beams and, maybe vaguely kitsch decor but it feels like you’ve been to Firenze! It’s a short back street walk to the wonderful, wonderful Bobili gardens too.

piazza santo spirito no.9
t. +39 055 2658376
50125 Firenze

www.residenzasspirito.com

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Very new, very modern, and very reasonably priced hotel south of the Arno. About a 25 minute walk from the centre, but worth it for the cool bar, funky showers, and to get away from the tourists in the evening.

Via Pisana, 59;
tel: (+39) 055 22771;
fax: (+39) 055 22772;
email: una.vittoria@unahotels.it;
www.unahotels.it

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This hotel is situated in the heart of Florence with amazing views of the Duomo. The rooms are Rooms with Views, with the majority of them looking straight at the Duomo and the rest looking at the Uffizi. Preferably get a room on the top floor so that you have easy access to the terrace.

Via dei Medici 6 - 50123 Florence;
tel: 055 284 818

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