Villa Fiesole Hotel is housed inside of a historic manor, surrounded by gorgeous garden grounds and outdoor terraces bursting with greenery and set with seating areas to admire the views. The wooden reception desk has old-fashioned hooks for room keys and a long corridor of windows is covered by striped curtains. Terra-cotta tile floors and leather armchairs add to the old-fashioned Italian charm. The lush grounds and the elegant interiors exude romantic ambience and the quiet sophistication mostly attracts couples looking for an intimate place to stay near Florence. Occasional weddings can cause more commotion than some guests like. 

Villa Fiesole Hotel has an ideal location for those who want a quiet escape from the bustle of Florence. Set high above the city in the small town of Fiesole, the hotel looks down on to Florence. It’s about a 26-minute drive to Florence’s city center or a 30-minute bus ride from the bus stop just outside the hotel. For those who don’t want to go into the city each day, Fiesole’s central area is a 13-minute walk away and has a good amount of dining options, a theater, and a museum. It’s a 26-minute drive to Florence Airport, Peretola. 

The rooms at Villa Fiesole Hotel range in terms of size and decor, and each one is slightly different. Many rooms have charming touches like frescoed ceilings from the 1800s, parquet or stone floors, or private terraces. They mostly feature a brown and cream color scheme, long drapes, and chic pieces of furniture. Some rooms have vertical gray-and-white striped wallpaper.  Free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and minibars are nice modern amenities -- though many of the TVs are slightly on the small side. Rooms lack coffee- and tea-making facilities. Bathrooms are spotless, and some have marble sinks or tiles. These are outfitted with a mix of showers, shower/tub combos, tubs with rainfall showerheads, and tubs with handheld showerheads. Toiletries, bidets, and hairdryers are provided. Take note that non-smoking rooms must specifically be requested here. 

There are plenty of great assets at this hotel, though the lack of a spa is a real let-down, as it would have been the perfect addition to this relaxing countryside property. In the summer months, there's a heated outdoor pool serviced by a pool bar. The hotel’s restaurant offers a varied breakfast buffet of hot and cold items, such as scrambled eggs, bacon, and salmon, that’s included in room rates. Italian cuisine is provided for lunch and dinner. Food can be delivered to rooms during limited hours or enjoyed on the outdoor terrace during the warmer months. There’s a cozy bar that serves a variety of drinks and snacks throughout the day. Wi-Fi and parking on-site are both free.