VILLA ANTEA

This top class boutique hotel is housed behind a lemon façade on an alley of Acer trees located in a quiet part of the city yet within three kilometres of Firenze's two main Basilicas. Swathes of cream fabric, antique furnishings and heavy tapestries reflect in the polished wood floors of guestrooms extending to walk in closets and marble bathrooms with natural sunlight. All feature satellite television, minibars stocked with complimentary soft drinks, and free high speed Internet access. After a morning indulging in a personalised beauty and wellness programme, guests can enjoy a complimentary high tea followed by wine tasting with the onsite sommelier. Evening meals of Tuscan delicacies, meanwhile, can be created on request in the Michelin star restaurant. Concierge is available to reserve theatre tickets, book excursions to Florence's private villas and the Chianti countryside, and advise on walking routes to the Galleria dell'Accademia (containing Michelangelo's sculptures and the Santa Maria Novella Basilica, both of which are located at two kilometres. Guests arriving by car benefit from a valet service between the front of the property and the parking garage. Approximate driving time to Florence Vespucci Airport is 15 minutes and distance is seven kilometres. By car, take A1 Motorway in the direction of Firenze Centro. Although the airport is very close to Florence, traffic can be bad in the city, so guests are advised to allow 20 minutes. The airport is a short taxi ride from town (costing 15 EUR although it is also possible to take the half hourly bus, which transports passengers to Santa Maria Novella Station, in the centre of Florence. A limo service costing 40 EUR is laid on by the hotel.