Torre di Bellosguardo
As the name implies the views from this hotel over Florence are indeed beautiful. The terraced gardens are stunning with magnificent cypresses and an ever changing floral display in which nestles the swimming-pool. These tranquil surroundings are the perfect antidote to a days sight-seeing in Florence. The peace of the location is echoed in the noble architecture of the hotel, originally designed by Guido Cavalcanti, a Florentine nobleman and friend of Dante's. An avenue of ancient cypresses leads to the Tower's grand entrance where a lovely statue of Charity guards the building and seems to welcome guests.
The hotel is family run and the staff are extremely welcoming. There are 16 luxurious guest rooms in the house which although grand is not at all gaunt or dreary. Each room is a separate world, as much a sitting room as a bedroom, carefully and individually furnished with fascinating antiques; some are split-level and others have splendid inlaid panelling.
Energetic guests can easily walk down into the city - the the steep climb back may suggest a taxi-ride.