Hotel Torre di Bellosguardo

 Romantic Paradise is found at the hotel, which is like going back in time 100 years. It truly is a “room with a view.. “ there have been many famous people who have stayed in this hotel over the last 200 years, but you can see why… there are only 10 rooms and yes it’s quite expensive, but if you want to be left alone then this is the place for you. Don’t expect fancy… but expect peace and quiet and historic elegance. There are no kettles in your room - and bringing food from the outside is discouraged. The rooms have truly stunning views. I believe rated to be in the top 10 of all hotel views in Italy. We had guests from USA, Germany and Uk staying when we were there.. and none of us could stop staring at the view. The staff were great, attentive, polite and knowledgeable and the food ( breakfast) was terrific. I personally would stay here every time I am travelling in Italy. Be warned it’s not for those with mobility issues The hotel is a 20-30 minute walk up a very steep track from town. ( or you can get a cab). It’s easier to walk down and get a cab back! We did walk it up… Cab from the train station £15 ish.. Inside the hotel you also have quite a lot of stairs. Bring bug repellant, there are mosquitos in Florence which will chomp at your ankles whilst you eat at bars / cafes - get a strong repellent! We did trips on the train to Pisa, ( 50 minutes) and Rome ( 1.5 hours) - can’t compliment the train travel enough. We travelled in both 2nd class and business on the train and at 250kmh the first class is like being on a plane with free Prosecco and snacks. We ate regularly at “osteria del corso” in town - great wine, pasta and steak. You are spoiled for choice down there, but there are a lot of crap restaurants with pre bought pizza bases.. so we recommend the osteria who make their own pasta too. Even in October Florence and Rome were crazily busy… If you want a place of sanctuary then give this place a go!

What a lovely stay at Hotel Torre di Bellosguardo. Everyone was so helpful and friendly. Our room (No. 9) had such a fabulous view of the city, and we felt privileged to stay in a hotel with so much history. It was amazing to come back from the hustle and bustle of the city to the peacefulness of the hotel. The pool area is well-kept, with plenty of sunbeds. We had food from the ‘snack’ menu, and it was perfectly ample for lunch (pizzas and platters) and is served up to 10 p.m. Only a short taxi ride away are some great trattorias/restaurants. We particularly loved walking around the hotel grounds - you don't need a gym as the inclines will keep you fit - and seeing the donkeys, and especially Silver, the cat. Don't expect mod cons and ultra-perfect plumbing, just a fabulous, relaxing stay.

We stayed at Bellosguardo for the three nights leading up to our wedding, and it was a refreshing change after being in the heart of the city. This property is stunning, with an incredible pool that even offers poolside service. While it is rustic and lacks high-end amenities, we were aware of this beforehand and it didn’t bother us at all. We booked a total of five rooms here for our family, and I visited each one—they were all exceptional. We stayed in Room 11, which was my favorite. It had a walk-in shower, gorgeous views, and was beautifully decorated. The hotel staff were incredibly accommodating, especially on our wedding day when our photographers and hair and makeup team arrived. They provided us with everything we needed and were so kind and helpful throughout our stay. Though it’s a bit of a walk to get into town (15-20 minutes), we discovered a lovely walking trail that dropped us off near the Boboli Gardens. We do recommend taking a taxi back after dark, as the trail is quite steep. Overall, this property is amazing and holds a special place in our hearts, especially since we did our first look here before the wedding. We highly recommend Bellosguardo for its gorgeous views and as a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. We will be back!