Torre di Bellosguardo

Visitors, mostly international couples, arrive via a charming, cypress-lined driveway that sweeps up to this handsome, three-story villa. Passing through its stone arch entrance -- guarded over by a marble statue by 16th-century sculptor Pietro Francavilla -- guests enter a vast and lofty lobby area. Once the ballroom, it has fine, original flooring and a breathtaking frescoed ceiling -- created by renowned Renaissance painters of the time. Leading to the stairs and the hotel’s elevator are a series of sparsely furnished grand halls with carved fireplaces and ornate, vaulted ceilings. Antique furniture and artwork, once owned by the Italian nobility who originally resided here, are scattered throughout. All of this is set in lush gardens with manicured lawns and hedges, secret paths, and flowerbeds brimming with irises and roses.

Torre Di Bellosguardo translates as "tower with a beautiful view" and it certainty delivers on that promise. Set on a hill with unbeatable views over Florence, the tower part of the building dates back to 1200, when it was built as a hunting lodge and family home by Dante’s friend, the poet Cavalcanti. The overall effect is a wonderfully refined hotel with a palpable sense of Florentine history. While some parts do feel museum-like in their grand emptiness, the Franchetti family -- who own and live in the hotel -- create a relaxed and upscale setting with a genuine air of serenity and arguably the finest vistas in the area. 

The hotel is located in the Bellosguardo area -- a quiet, residential neighborhood on a hill overlooking Florence from the southwest. It's a lush, green area set apart from the center, but Porta Romana, one of the original city gates, can be reached on foot in 20 minutes (although the path is not advised after heavy rainfall). Otherwise, guests will want a car, as there's not exactly much to see or do within the immediate area. Piazzale Michelangelo and its famous views over the river and the city is a 15-minute drive. The center of Florence, the Cathedral di Santa Maria del Fiore (also known as the Duomo), and many of the main tourist attractions are a 15- to 20-minute drive away, although the wait for a taxi can be long during busy times and the hotel is difficult to reach by public transport. Florence's airport is a 15-minute drive from the hotel as well.

The 16 rooms and suites vary greatly in size and are individually styled, generally with white-washed walls, original terra-cotta tiled floors, ornate rugs, and crisp bed linens. Rooms on the upper floors have views, either over Florence or the Tuscan countryside, with some rooms having views on two sides, and the tower room has a spectacular 360-degree panorama. All rooms have antique furniture in the traditional Florentine style, in some cases four-poster or carved platform beds, and many rooms have beamed or painted wooden ceilings, elaborately carved paneling, and original frescoes. While the antique style here is more charming than not, it's worth noting that there's a bit of wear in rooms, including threadbare rugs and chipped baseboards. 

Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and mini-fridges, while some rooms include unique touches like an upright piano. Smaller rooms have bathrooms contained in elaborately carved wooden closets within the guest room. All include fig-scented toiletries, hairdryers, and bathrobes and slippers, while some also have gold taps and separate tubs and walk-in showers. Many of the beds -- being genuine antiques -- are slightly smaller than modern standards, though all get rave reviews for comfort. Aside from its standard hotel rooms, there is also an apartment with a full kitchen and two bedrooms that's available. 

A simple buffet breakfast is provided in the dining room -- a grand hall with painted wooden ceiling and an outdoor covered terrace with views over the Tuscan countryside. Breakfast is not always included in the room rate and it is quite pricey. There is no restaurant, but during summer, lunch is available around the swimming pool, which has views over the city. Meals can also be ordered from a local restaurant and served in the hotel dining room for dinner; additionally, staff can recommend eateries within walking distance. A small bar with wooden seating and a domed ceiling serves drinks. The pool is unheated and is only available for use in the summer months. The hotel estate not only has its own small farm with animals and an organic vegetable garden but also orchards, vineyards, and olive groves. There's even a collection of farm animals for children to pet. For a fee, guests can have cooking lessons from one of the owners, using ingredients from the hotel’s own vegetable garden, and students eat their creations afterwards. Wi-FI and parking are both free, and the hotel's front desk is staffed around the clock.