50123 Travel Guide
Design Hotels
Designer Label Hotels: Gallery Hotel Art, Florence
April 8, 2008 at 11:13 AM | 0 Comments
It's not just celebrity chefs that are getting in on the hotel scene. Fashion designers, too and they've been doing it a lot longer than the chefs.
Like in the fashion capital of Italy, Florence. The Gallery Hotel Art, one of Florence's first real design boutique hotels, is owned by the son of the Italian fashion designer Salvatore Ferragamo. If you like the hotel and have a lot of money, you can buy the clothes to match, in the Salvatore Ferragamo shop on via Tornabuoni (aka shopping street).
Hotels-Near-Eurail-Stops
Eurail Hotel Stop: Love Florence at Hotel Aprile
October 3, 2007 at 9:35 AM | 0 Comments
Eurailers heading to Florence will soon become familiar with the Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train station. If you head out the right side of the station, take one left turn at the traffic lights and walk a couple of minutes you'll find the Hotel Aprile - Palazzo Del Borgo. It's a four-star boutique hotel run by a quirky Italian proprietor who grew up in the hotel and loves Florence so much he's even written a book about it.
Rates at the Hotel Aprile aren't too exorbitant despite the weak US$; in low season, a double costs €120 ($170) per room but if you're Eurailing with a group you'll get better deals for triple or quadruple rooms: a room sleeping four starts at €155 ($220) in low season, rising to €310 ($440) in peak season.
Features included at the Hotel Aprile are free Wifi (yay!), a courtyard garden and an American bar, plus you can vacation with your pet at no additional charge (getting your pet a Eurail pass might prove trickier though). As well as being close to the train station, the hotel is also within Florence's historic center so most of your sightseeing will be on foot.
[Photo: wme133]
Related Stories:
· Hotels in Florence [HotelChatter]
· Florence Travel Stories [Jaunted]
Italy Hotel Reviews
Check In to Grand Hotel Florence Befoe the Renovations Begin
July 13, 2007 at 11:00 AM | 0 Comments
Plenty of hotels slip the word "grand" into their name, but just a few really look like they deserve the title. The Grand Hotel Florence, built in a former palace and with great attention to detail, is one that does seem to fit the bill. Nearly every guest review makes the point that it's elegant and comfortable and has superb customer service: sounds like grand to us. The hotel itself describes:
Antique décor pays homage to the apex of Florentine history. The Grand Hotel Florence's rooms reflect the intricate details of Florentine culture with spectacular frescoes, marble inlays and other decorative touches.
Frescoes get us every time. If you're traveling this summer, be aware that the Grand Hotel Florence is scheduled to be closed for renovations from 3 August until 20 August 2007.
[Photo: Mandarin]
Related Stories:
· Florence Hotels [[HotelChatter]
· Florence travel stories [Jaunted]
