Palazzo Castri 1874

Palazzo Castri 1874 is a stylish 4-star boutique hotel set in a fully renovated 19th-century mansion on Florence’s Piazza Indipendenza, a leafy square that hosts recurring antique fairs and farmer’s markets. All the city’s centrally-located sights, including the Duomo and the Accademia Gallery, are within walking distance, while the central railway station is a ten-minute stroll away.

The interiors are nicely decorated in a stylish, contemporary style, deftly blended with original details that add characters, like the pietra serena staircase, the original frescoes and the beautiful period ceilings. A real highlight of the property is undoubtedly its “Limonaia” garden: a spacious, luxuriant backyard with tables and sun loungers shaded by centuries-old palm and lemon trees. Not so easy to find in city centre hotels, this is the perfect place to rest and unwind after a day out sightseeing, possibly with the delightful afternoon tea offered free of charge every day.