Hotel Spadai

Housed in a classic palazzo-style building, the Spadai has subdued and refreshingly contemporary interiors (an antidote for travelers that dislike the overly ornate historic properties elsewhere in Florence). Inside, the lobby has a fireplace surrounded by bookshelves and purple velvet chairs. The hallway has a barrel-vaulted, coffered ceiling with plaster reliefs, while the dark-wood and marble reception desk sits in front of a detail photo of Michelangelo's David's hand. There's also an elevator, though some rooms require stairs to access. The property attracts guests from around the world, and its central location makes it a good choice for tourists who want to walk to the area sights. 

The Spadai is located in Florence's pedestrian-only center. Santa Maria del Fiore, better known as the Duomo, is a two-minute walk from the hotel. The splendid Medici-Riccardo Palazzo is only a minute away, while getting to the Ufizzi Gallery -- with its Boticelli collection -- takes around seven minutes. The Vecchio Bridge is a 10-minute walk away, while the Pitti Palace, Piazza San Felice, and Casa Guidi are all 15 minutes from the hotel on foot. Reaching the Santa Maria Novella train station takes around 13 minutes on foot, while Florence Airport is a 22-minute drive or a 17-minute train ride. 

The rooms at the Hotel Spadai face three different streets, and some have views of the Duomo. They aren't huge, and a surplus of furniture makes them feel smaller, but they're spacious enough. Decor in general is chic and contemporary. Some rooms have white-leather headboards and gray walls with white trim and/or rustic beamed ceilings. Chairs are upholstered in gray or purple velvet, and the beds have memory foam pillows. All rooms have air-conditioning, safes, and sound-proofed walls, plus coffeemakers and free cookies. Guests can choose one free drink from the minibar per day. The bathrooms are lovely and have lightly veined marble, soft lighting, bidets, and either blue-lit walk-in showers or shower/tub combos with rainfall showerheads (though there have been some complaints of showerhead malfunctions). Other amenities include hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, bathrobes, and slippers. 

Features at the Spadai reflect its upscale status. There's a chic bar in the lobby with a fireplace, and an elegant breakfast room where a free continental breakfast is served daily. The spa and sauna feature contemporary furnishings: one room has walls upholstered in a sueded finish fabric, making the space feel cocoon-like. The hotel also has a  business station with a Mac computer for guests' use. Other services include a 24-hour front desk with concierge services, welcome drinks of Champagne, free luggage storage, and free property-wide Wi-Fi. Small pets are allowed on request.