Santa Maria Novella Hotel

The 19th-century property has an overall elegance, with an interesting mix of antique and modern furniture. The green and red Napoleon Lounge, with a fireplace, is furnished with relics from the Napoleonic era. The hotel, which drew both businesspeople and artists in the 1800s, features historic artwork throughout. The large breakfast lounge is decorated with paintings and there is a small bar area with leather banquettes.

The hotel is right across from the Gothic Santa Maria Novella church, in a pedestrian area that is quiet at night. It’s an easy five-minute walk to the city’s main train station and the Duomo, and a 10-minute walk to the Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery. It’s also a 10-minute walk to the Fortezza da Basso exhibition center, so the hotel is also convenient for businesspeople.

Each of the 71 spacious rooms has a different look and is furnished with antiques; some have elegant details such bed drapery and two-tone walls with molding. The style (and particularly the bedding) may strike some as a tad old-fashioned, however. A number of rooms, including the Honeymoon Suite, have great views of the piazza. The marble in the bathrooms, with curtained showers, have designs that mimic the embellishments on the city’s architecture. Notable amenities include small flat-screen TVs, minibars, coffeemakers, and slippers.

A rooftop terrace provides the best views of the Santa Maria Novella church. The hotel has a small fitness room and sauna in the basement, as well as a computer, creatively situated in the remains of an old Roman dyeing tank. There is also a bar with leather banquet seating serving drinks and light snacks.