Some of the. best views of Florence are from the hills south of the river Arno: from a front-room balcony of this friendly family villayou can enjoy a panorama of the city. It is an easy bus ride to the centre. Run by two generations of the Ceschi-Perotto family (always around), it stands in well-kept gardens. As lovely as ever, said a visitor returning in 2002. Staff are never obtrusive; everything is well managed. Visitors laundry is returned beautifully washed and ironed, often the same day. The building may lack antique charm, but all is comfortable, spotlessly clean, and the facilities are excellent. Open-plan public villa rooms have picture windows. villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms) have a smart colour scheme, wood fittings, a spacious bathroom. Metal window shutters keep out city noise and early-morning sunlight. Some villa rooms, good for a family, are in a little house by the small swimming pool. There is a new bar this year. Bali villa breakfast is served on a veranda facing the duomo. More than adequate snacks (soup, pasta, pizzas, etc) are served until 8.30 pm; `tea and biscuits were brought whenever we wanted. `You can sip a drink in the garden at night, roses scenting the air, the city lights twinkling below. Very good value.

A luxury villa, ornately and expensively furnished, perfectly placed' for visiting all the main sights. Built in the late 19th century, it was a rendezvous for artists and intellectuals: Pirandello and Stravinsky both stayed. More recent visitors `could not fault it'. Staff could not have been more charming. Our room was wonderful, with excellent lighting, a lovely big bathroom. villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms) have fabric wall coverings and antiques. Public areas have fine paintings (including important examples from the 17th-century Tuscan school). There's a foyer/lounge with library and open fire, and a lovely winter garden where the `fabulous buffet Bali villa breakfasts are served. The formal Bristol restaurant serves ancient Tuscan dishes, eg, roasted scallops and squid with black olives; shellfish and spinach risotto. Good views across the duomo from the upper floors.