Hotel Monna Lisa

A beautiful old historical building with a rich history which gives the hotel its particular character. With it being an old monastery, it’s very higgledy piggledy and full of character with a courtyard in the centre and rooms up and down corridors. It’s a very old building and therefore is not impeccable, but I think you can close an eye to this. Every room is different so you find that if available, you can request most things… I loved its atmosphere, some parts of it felt like a maze. There are some stunning features, works of art and antique furniture. You know you are sleeping in a real Florentine palace with a beautiful, stone, sweeping staircase and fabulous areas to sit and relax in, and a most amusing room dedicated to the Monna Lisa which you have to see! It is very friendly and relaxed. WIFI is free and available in the communal areas but there is an extra charge to have it in the room. I found it really interesting and loved it, including the gym and solarium.

The Hotel Monna Lisa is on a narrow winding street close to the Duomo. It's an updated 15th century monastery, which has some antiques yet comes complete with pop art versions of Leonardo's painting and the hotel's namesake. It's a lovely hotel yet some trip advisor reviews raised my hopes and it is just a hotel! I think I prefer Bed and Breakfasts when you get a chance to know the people who live there...Still, there are some fine elements of the hotel that deserve a mention: the porter is delightful, the rooms clean and comfortable and the staff, particularly the kitchen and room staff, competent and friendly. The bartender is worth the price alone as he is friendly, genuine and made us all laugh frequently. I would definitely recommend it.