Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
equipped B&Bs set in historic residences scattered on or around Via San Gallo. It has a
terrace with wonderful views, and offers a delicious breakfast and all-day tea, coffee (Ne-
spresso) and cake.
HOTEL
€€
Hotel Azzi
(Locanda degli Artisti; 055 21 38 06;
www.hotelazzi.com
;
Via Faenza 56/88r; d €105-115, tr/q €130/
150; )
A five-minute walk from the central market and train station only adds to the
convenience of this well-maintained hotel. Its old-world style coupled with a lounge, lib-
rary full of books, terrace and jacuzzi makes it particularly popular among older travellers.
The hotel also has cheaper hotel rooms and self-contained apartments in nearby annexes.
TOP OF CHAPTER
4
Santa Croce
Hotel Dalí
HOTEL
€
( 055 234 07 06;
www.hoteldali.com
; Via dell'Oriuolo 17; d/tr €85/110, apt from €95, with shared bath-
room s/d €40/70; )
This overwhelmingly friendly hotel is the passion and unre-
lenting love of world-travellers-turned-parents Marco and Samanta ('running the hotel is
like travelling without moving'). Ten spacious, home-like rooms are equipped with a
kettle, coffee and tea; there is a shared microwave guests can use; and bathrooms are mod-
ern.
The icing on the cake is a trio of gorgeous self-contained apartments - one with
duomo
view - sleeping two, four or six. No breakfast, but free parking in the leafy inner court-
yard compensates. Low season rates drop by 30%.
Hotel Orchidea
HOTEL
€
( 055 248 03 46;
www.hotelorchideaflorence.it
; Borgo degli Albizi 11; s/d/tr/q with shared bathroom
€60/75/100/120)
This old-fashioned
pensione
in the mansion where the Donati family roos-
ted in the 13th century (Dante's wife, Gemma, was allegedly born in the tower) is charm
personified. Its seven rooms with sink share bathrooms that are simple, but their outlook
is five-star. Rooms 5, 6 and 7 have huge windows overlooking a gorgeous garden and no 4
