Tornabuoni Beacci
Located on the fourth and fifth floors of a 15th century palazzo on elegant Via Tornabuoni (THE shopping street in Florence), this is a long-established pensione with a turn of the century atmosphere. Decorations and furnishings are old-fashioned but well-maintained, like the house of a maiden aunt. Due to its positioning on the top two floors of a palazzo, the hotel is filled with light and remarkably quiet - it feels as if nothing has changed for since it opened, (no televisions or piped music). The staff are incredibly friendly and the owner-managers Mr & Mrs Bechi have been here for generations.
Rooms are simple and traditionally decorated, some can be a bit poky so ask for a deluxe when booking. There are a number of public rooms: a small sunny dining room where breakfast takes place, a bar for an pre-dinner glass of prossecco that leads onto a very attractive quiet, sunny flower filled terrace overlooking Florence. Bathrooms are in need of updating but apart from that this really is your typical well-run Florentine pensione.