Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
4
Oltrarno
Hostel Santa Monaca
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HOSTEL
€
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( 055 26 83 38;
www.ostellosantamonaca.com
;
Via Santa Monaca 6; dm €18-22, d/q per person €25.50/
22; reception 6am-2am; )
A convent until the 1860s, this 112-bed hostel, open since
1966 when it first gave shelter to flood victims, comes warmly recommended. It has a
great little terrace the size of a pocket handkerchief from which to contemplate the stars
on long summer nights, and guests can rent bicycles to pedal around town (€2/10 per
hour/day).
The well-equipped kitchen is bright and jolly with washing machine (€6.50 per wash),
free safe deposits, free wi-fi and two computers to surf. Girls-only or mixed dorms sleep
four to 22 and are closed for cleaning between 10am and 2pm. Curfew 2am. Low season
rates are a couple of euros less.
Palazzo Guadagni Hotel
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HOTEL
€€
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( 055 265 83 76;
www.palazzoguadagni.com
; Piazza Santo Spirito 9; s €100-140, d €140-180, extra bed
€35; )
Plump above Florence's liveliest summertime square, this hotel, with impos-
sibly romantic loggia, is legendary - Zefferelli shot scenes from
Tea with Mussolini
here.
Florentines Laura and Ferdinando are the creative duo behind the transformation of
Renaissance palace into brilliant-value hotel. Its 15 spacious rooms tastefully mix old and
new, and the loggia terrace with wicker furniture is dreamy.
Hotel La Scaletta
MAP
HOTEL
€€
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( 055 28 30 28;
www.hotellascaletta.it
; Via Guicciardini 13; s €94-119, d €110-154)
An austere air
wafts through this maze of a hotel, hidden in a 15th-century
palazzo
near Palazzo Pitti.
But rooms - the priciest ones peeping down on Boboli Gardens - are spacious, and the
view from the dreamy roof terrace is nothing short of fabulous. Savour a summertime
breakfast or early evening drink here and congratulate yourself on finding one of the best
deals in town.
Palazzo Magnani Feroni
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LUXURY HOTEL
€€€
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