Torre di Bellosguardo, Florence

The majesty of this place is beyond description. The view of the city of Florence is finer than anything you have ever seen. When you arrive at the gates, you feel like a duke or duchess stepping back into history, but with the amenities of the current century. The pool and aviary surrounding the pool is breathtaking. Do not expect to take your meals here, and you are not a stone's throw to downtown - but do not let that sway you - but I should not tell you that - it should be a precious secret place.

I actually went to school in this villa for a greater part of my life and I have nothing but great things to say about it. Every classroom I had the pleasure of studying in, every play I took part in and all the grounds I played in have now become part of a magnificent hotel. I want to return there to spend more time and I encourage you all to do the same. It's a walk back through history and when you consider it was home to Galileo, the Brownings and other famous men and women, you can't help but appreciate the great value of these treasured surroundings. I wish more people had experienced such a magical place when it was a school and how it is now as a hotel.

Customer service was outstanding!! Room service outstanding!! Even Saved $45 on this hotel by using SweetHotelDeals. Net Just a overall great experience coming here!!

From the moment we arrived on the property we experienced the breathtaking view of Florence below and before us was the grandeur of the hotel, serene outdoor pool and the beautiful grounds. There was a pleasant quiet which we knew would be relaxing in the evenings after long days of sightseeing. The hotel desk clerk greeted us immediately and showed us to the apartment. The apartment is nestled in the villa sharing the hotel grounds. A lovely garden led us to the door. The apartment is bright and comfortable and offers a lovely terrace that doubles the living space. The kitchen was adequately equipped, the two bedrooms and two baths were very nice and the shared walk-in closet more than accommodated clothing of four women. If you are looking for a place to relax and enjoy after hours of touring Florence or surrounding cities, this is the place to stay. You can spend quality time in the gardens walking, reading, having an espresso or drinking wine…all of which we took full advantage. There are many places to enjoy on the property and beauty at ever turn. . The whole setting is idyllic. It is the perfect way to slow yourself down and appreciate your surroundings. Whether you are staying in the apartment or Torre di Bellosguardo, I can’t imagine any other place in Florence offering so much outdoor living space. The hotel and tower are rich in history and the staff was more than happy to share the stories. We took a tour of the hotel and a couple of vacant rooms. Everything about the hotel was beautiful, the fresco on the lobby ceiling, the architecture, the grand doors…you feel as though you stepped back in time. There are many additional modern amenities for those who had need, but did not distract from the elegance of the hotel or grounds. The hotel staff was more than accommodating in calling a taxi on days that we needed one, but most days we took the pathway on the property to Porta Romano to enter into the city. At the beginning of the path were miniature ponies and goats to greet us. The pathway, lined with olive trees, was quaint. And though the path was a bit steep, added to the adventure of exploring new territory. It was a 10-15 minute walk to the Ponte Vecchio and adjacent Uffizi. With a map of the city, you will be ready to explore the history that surrounds you. We truly felt the apartment was home. We loved going to the markets for necessities, wine and food. The local produce was wonderful and we couldn’t get our fill. When we were tired from sightseeing, we would hit the markets we passed during the day on our stroll home. We enjoyed every morning having an espresso on the terrace and almost every evening having dinner and wine there. Even the chores of doing dishes, taking out trash and recycling seemed less tedious in such beautiful surroundings. Everything about the apartment and the grounds made our experience in Florence the best it could have been.