Hotels in Florence

This chic art hotel stands on a small square not far from the Ponte Vecchio and attracts a host of funky young designers and artists. Large by boutique standards, with 65 rooms and nine suites, the hotel makes good use of space and light to create cool modern interiors, a world away from the medieval rat race outside. Each room comes complete with satellite TV, modem point and air conditioning, while communal spaces display revolving collections of contemporary art. The library contains over 400 books for guests to borrow.East meets West in the hotel's Fusion Bar Shozan, where sushi makes a change from pasta, and you can dine overlooking the Arno, under the stars.

Imaginatively reinvented from a Byzantine tower and a medieval church, the Hotel Brunelleschi combines swish modernity with a romantic setting, right in the heart of Florence, just off the Piazza Signoria. Architectural characteristics such as exposed brickwork and wooden beams have been retained throughout, to give a pleasing sense of history. All 96 rooms, some with views of the cathedral, offer TV, telephone and mini-bar, while the two executive suites include a private Jacuzzi. Three meeting rooms are equipped with video, Wi-Fi and internet access, while video-conferencing and a translation service are available on request. Banqueting facilities for up to 120 people are available in a private dining room, located in the tower.

Once a medieval convent, this is now an amazing, not-at-all-monastic hotel, situated around a five-minute walk from the Duomo. The exterior is not prepossessing, but inside it's full of character. Rooms are hung with paintings, filled by antiques, and strewn with exotic rugs. Some rooms are beautifully frescoed, some have ornately carved beds, there are beamed ceilings, polished panels and some open onto little gardens - however, some rooms are better than others, so it's well worth specifically requesting one of their best rooms - either one with frescoes, or one with a balcony or porch.

On another level of luxury, this fantastical palace harbours 12 theatrical suites on four floors, filled with antiques and lavish furnishings, with mammoth mirrors and frescoed rooms. The family maintain their private residence within the palazzo, and to stay here is to be immersed in the world of Florentine royalty. Views from the rooftop over the city are incredible, and it's located a mere 500m (1,640ft) from Florence's major sights.