There’s a huge variety of hotels in Florence, though prices tend to be high no matter where you stay. In the higher price range, Gallery Hotel Art (Vicolo del’Oro 2, 055 27263, www.lungarno hotels.com, €320-€400) has a stylish bar and dreamy guest rooms, with East-meets-West decor. Similarly pricey JK Place (Piazza Santa Maria Novella 7, 055 264 5181, www.jkplace.com, €315-€740) is a sophisticated boutique hotel with an enviable roof terrace. Cheaper is the three-star Beacci Tornabuoni (via Tornabuoni 3, 055 212 645, www.tornabuoni hotels.com, €220-€260), a comfortably old-fashioned hotel in the heart of the shopping area, which also has a roof garden. Alternatively, leave the heat and the crowds behind, and head for the nearby hills for retreats such as the Villa Poggio San Felice (via San Matteo in Arcetri 24, 055 220 016, www.villapoggiosanfelice.com, €200), a relaxed 15th-century villa with a lovely garden and a handful of beautifully furnished rooms. It has a pool and a free shuttle service to the town centre. A cheaper option with outside space in the shape of a panoramic roof terrace is the delightful little Residenza Johlea Uno (via San Gallo 76, 055 463 3292, www.johanna.it, €95-€105), whose well-furnished, comfortable rooms are great value. Its owners also run the more upmarket Antica Dimora Firenze (via San Gallo 72n, 055 462 7296, www.anticadimorafirenze.it, €125-€150). If you’re on a budget, try the homely one-star Dali (via dell’Oriuolo 17, 055 234 0706, €75), a stone’s throw from the Duomo. Alternatively, there’s the lovely Istituto Gould (via dei Serragli 49, 055 212 576, double €25-€29 per person), set in a 17th-century palazzo, with a courtyard, stone staircase and terracotta floors; some of the rooms have terraces.

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