HotelChatter

The Gallery Hotel Art was the first on the scene in 1995, but in all the family now have seven hotels in Florence now, plus one in the vineyards of Tuscany and a set of suites in Rome.

You eat breakfast in the library and snaffle fusion sushi in the trendy bar/restaurant while swapping air kisses with the Florentine handbag-wavers. You sleep in large white beds in rooms of polished floors, with typically Italian details like leather handles on the wardrobes. If you're really special, you sleep in one of the three penthouse suites. Although you'd probably stay up all night, talking on the terrace and admiring the view.

The hotel also puts on contemporary art exhibitions - artworks change regularly but they're all modern, bold and bright. Certainly a change from the dark and moody renaissance paintings in the nearby museums.

We're only concerned about the "hand-stitched pigskin" bedsteads boasted on the website. Someone sack the translator.

Rates for a classic double room in most of the family's Florence hotels (including the Gallery Hotel Art) are around €380 ($600) for one night, including breakfast and free internet.

We've not stayed there and can't afford to, so if you have the low-down, do let us all know. If you're on a budget, check out our tips for Florence on a budget and add your own.

[Photo: Jesusaves]