We started and ended our Back-Roads Touring tour of Tuscany and the Cinque Terre at this delightful hotel situated in the centre of Florence just metres from the city's oldest bridge, the Ponte Vecchio.
Following the advice of the manager, we had taken a fixed fare taxi from the airport (20 euros plus 3 euros airport tax) which brought us along impossibly narrow streets right to the hotel's front door. We received a warm welcome from reception and were escorted to our suite. We noticed that every bedroom door displayed a row of photos showing the view from each room.
Our suite contained a living area with a chaise longue, writing desk, chairs, mini bar and balcony, separated from the bedroom by a hall containing a wardrobe and safe. The bathroom was a bit of a tight squeeze and the shower panel over the bath was too narrow to prevent water cascading onto the floor, but fixtures and fittings were good quality and there was a lovely range of natural toiletries.
The bar and restaurant on the 6th floor afforded stunning views across the city. Breakfast was more than adequate with a range of cereals, fresh fruit, breads, yogurt, various cakes and a tasty looking apple pie. There was also a container of hot items such as scrambled eggs and sausages. In the evening we were well served by a charming young man who was always cheerful and attentive. We only had one evening meal there: a tasty shared platter of cold cuts, pecorino cheese and bruschetta, followed by a stuffed aubergine for me and wild boar stew for John. We soon realised that, in Tuscany, meat dishes are more often served without vegetables. Limoncello ice cream and coffee rounded off the evening perfectly.
The hotel is in a perfect location: a short walk takes you across the Ponte Vecchio to the Uffizi Gallery, beyond which lies the Piazza della Signoria with its amazing outdoor gallery of sculptures, and the iconic Cathedral. To the other side of the hotel is the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. If I were to return to this beautiful city, I would certainly book into the Pitti Palace hotel again.
