AdAstra Suites, Florence, Italy

A ten-minute walk south from the Ponte Vecchio, in the Oltrarno district, it's outside the touristy centre in a quiet residential street yet still within reach of the main sights. With some of the city's more interesting shops, bars and restaurants, this area has a more earthy feel. Santo Spirito church with its Brunelleschi-designed interior and the Masaccio frescoes in the 15th-century Cappella Brancacci are two highlights less than five minutes away.

By plane: there are direct flights to Florence Airport from London (2 hours 5 minutes), Manchester (4 hours 25 minutes), Edinburgh (4 hours 55 minutes). The hotel is a 30-minute drive from the airport. Book flights to Florence.

Original elements of the 16th-century palazzo - parquet floors, frescoed ceilings, carved double doors - are beautifully intact and form the elegant backdrop to a bold and quirky mix of retro, vintage and upcycled furnishings, from Art Deco chairs to marble-top café tables, '50s wardrobes to framed magazine covers.

The welcoming, friendly staff can help plan day trips and book restaurants. The salon doubles as both a breakfast room and lounge, with sofas, books, magazines and an honesty bar. French windows lead to the wide first-floor terrace with its views over Giardino Torrigiani to which staff can help arrange a visit (only possible by prior arrangement).

• Terrace
• Breakfast room
• Concierge
• Free Wi-Fi

Rooms have kept their elegant palazzo proportions and features, with parquet floors and carved double doors, but are injected with wit, whimsy and style in equal measures. Furniture is a mix of retro and upcycled and walls are hung with interesting art, while bathrooms are boldly tiled or hung with dazzling wallpapers.

Room types: Superior, Deluxe, Premium, King View, King Balcony

Key amenities: free standing bath tub, CO Bigelow amenities, tea and coffee facilities, TV, free Wi-Fi

Breakfast is a handsome spread of fresh fruit salad, fresh pastries, homemade jams (quince and apricot, on our visit), prosciutto and local cheeses, plus eggs. On warm days breakfast is on the terrace, otherwise you can eat in the elegant, frescoed salon. Enjoy an aperitivo from the honesty bar before heading out for supper in the local neighbourhood; we recommend Osteria Tripperia il Magazzino in the lively Piazza Passera.

Breakfast: local produce, fresh pastries, Italian coffee. Served 8-10am.