Casa Howard in Florence ★★★★  

CASA HOWARD Guest houses – Rome and Florence. Suave and surprising, the Casa Howard in Florence is located close to the Santa Maria Novella – an ideal spot for accessing the city’s profusion of architectural treasures.

It is an intriguing mix of grand mansion and hip hotel, providing guest accommodation in stylish apartments such as the Fireplace Room with its ornate living room and bathroom fireplaces; the Hidden Room – deep red and decidedly sensual - and the Drawing Room – a stunning black and white enclave with mosaic marble floors and old Chinese furniture.

All the original floors and ceilings have been maintained in the recent refurb, there are flourishes of pure silk taffeta at the windows, and we loved the chic designer touches such as the occasional black silk sofa, sunken marble bath, full-wall padded bed head, mosaic inlay or 18th century French writing desk.
For relaxation after a day’s exploration along the Via Tornabuoni, unwind in the hammam.