This is a superlative hotel, even without considering that the rooms are a bargain around $140+. It is a gorgeous mill redux, with the ubiquitous glimmer of water creating a magical atmosphere all around. In fact, its not hyperbole to use the word magical to describe the effect of the thoughtful details and utterly unique decor; kind of an elegant, modern cloister-deluxe villa. My best friend said she felt like she was living someone else's (better) life, and that's a good way to put it. I have a very critical streak, but every where I looked, things here were just as you might wish them to be. The rooms are delightful; clean and fresh, the service is unmatched - and if you know Italy, you may know that attentive service is a special find. I heard nothing but raves about this place before I finally decided to book here, and I must say my high expectations were not disappointed . The fabulously priced rooms -( Seriously, I mean, when you see them!)are already a treat, and then the level of service you receive is a real surprise. We had only hoped to get a room where we could save some extra money to splurge around Italy, but we got a hotel stay we will always remember. I do recommend Hotel Mulino.

If you are also hoping to wrestle some savings out of your Italian vacation, here are our little strategies, some of them we don't think many people other than ourselves know about:

I'll start with one that you probably know: as is the case traveling anywhere, the first thing to remember is to avoid the high season.Off-season Italy promises the biggest cuts in airfare, the beauty of popping up at small hotels (more discounted rates) without needing a reservation confirmed 3 months in advance, enjoying the wonderful absence of lines at the museums, and finding the local people less harried and more accommodating.

High season on most airlines' routes to Italy usually stretches from June to the end of September plus Christmas/New Year's week. This is the most expensive and most crowded time to travel. Shoulder season is from the Easter season (usually late Mar or Apr) to May, late September to October, and December 15 to December 24. Low season is generally January 6 to mid-March, November 1 to December 14, and December 25 to March 31.

I always try to shop for the best airfare deals myself. When calling the airlines directly, always ask for the lowest possible fare. Be flexible in your schedule -- flying on weekdays versus weekends, or even at a different time of day, can make a substantial difference. Find out the exact dates of the seasonal rates; these differ from airline to airline even though the destination stays the same. Some flights into or out of Rome versus Milan may differ in price. Don't forget to ask about discounts for seniors, students, or children.

Check your newspaper for consolidators or wholesalers, once more frequently known as "bucket shops." These companies operate by alleviating blocks of unsold tickets from the major international airlines. It's still not a bad idea to check their records first with the Better Business Bureau, but most operate firmly aboveboard and offer substantial savings, particularly off season.


Map out your strategy before you leave to see if a rail pass will save you or cost you money (you can find a list of the various Italian ones offered, as well as purchase them, at www.raileurope.com). On long international stretches of train travel, the former is usually true. Within Italy, buying second-class point-to-point tickets as you go may save you money. Most rail passes are cheapest when purchased at home before you leave. Also before you leave, because airport parking is expensive and a real hassle, you can use stay123.com to set up a park and fly package ( stay the night at an airport hotel and parking for the length of your vacation is included, as is a ride to the terminal, and back on your return trip.) The cost of the whole package was about half of what airport parking alone used to cost me.

Once you are in Italy, domestic or one-way flights can be killers. The most distant flights within Italy (Venice to Palermo, for example) might be contenders for air travel, but opt for the train at a fraction of the cost, breaking up your travel times with overnight stops planned along the way. There is never a shortage of sights between any two points.Train travel in Italy has improved immeasurably since the 1970s and 1980s. The newer Intercity trains are clean and efficient enough to make second-class travel a near first-class experience.

Use public transportation in cities rather than taxis. It offers a peek into the daily lifestyles of the local residents. Most concentrated historical districts make sightseeing most enjoyable when done on foot; in the large cities like Rome or Milan, consider daily or weekly passes for unlimited travel on buses or subways.

For general information in your home country, try your local branch of the Italian Government Tourist Board (ENIT) or the ENIT-sponsored website www.enit.it. Each city and town lists its own websites for visitor information, and you can find plenty of other official links at the Italian Government Tourist Board's site, www.italiantourism.com.

Good general websites include In Italy On-line (www.initaly.com), with details on accommodations, tours, festivals, shopping, and more; the Italian Tourist Web Guide (www.itwg.com), with online hotel reservations and information on art and history; and Italy in a Flash (www.italyflash.com), offering hotel information, railway and airline schedules, the latest exchange rates, weather, and current news.

Here's my favorite tip:

To get the most out of always-increasing museum admissions, see if you can buy tickets in advance to eliminate waiting in line. Always ask about senior and student discounts. Extended hours for summer months are often confirmed at the last minute (and, therefore, are not reflected in guidebooks) and are not widely publicized: If you're in the know, you might have Florence's Uffizi Galleries to yourself at 10 in the evening --( put a price on that!) Speaking of which, many museums are often open for free 1 day a month (it'll be crowded but, well, free). You can find this info and more like it at www.europeforfree.com.

We were very impressed with the hotel Mulino di Firenze. I was very sad that we were only in Firenze for 1 night. I want to go back in the summer and enjoy the pool and spa. The rooms were great, the staff excellent, the restaurant delicious. Highly recommend. It is right outside of town. It was a 15 euro cab ride to the duomo. In nice weather you might be able to walk along the river into town. Which would be just lovely. THere is a shuttle to and from the hotel at designated times. Just ask for the time for the next day as they seemed to change depending on the season.

I stayed at the Mulino one week ago, and the experience was excellent. Not only because of the wonderful location, close to the Arno river in Firenze, but because of the nice facilities, and mainly, because of the wonderful people who work at the hotel, especially Aldo and Ray. These guys are great. We were 6, two families with kids, and we know how the things can be when travelling with children, they want to play all around, and never are quite. And besides, they have a very nice Enoteca and bar. The restaurant is great as well (I would make a review especially for the restaurant, if possible).
Ray, Aldo, uno abrazo, grazie!

This is a delightful property. It is an old water mill that has been lovingly and tastefully restored and is now a superb boutique hotel on the banks of the river very close to Florence. The atmosphere and ambiance of this property is supplemented by the wonderful art pieces, the furniture, as well as displays of the machinery, workings and drawings of the original old working mill. The staff are just superb , helpful and friendly in all areas of the property. The rooms are beautifully appointed, the restaurant a feast for the senses and the grounds and other public areas attractive and well kept. We visited in February, but there is a beautiful pool and deck for warmer weather. You really need at least two nights here to take full advantage of the hotel and Florence of course. The hotel runs a courtesy coach daily into town and offers secure under cover parking for your vehicle. This is a truly fantastic hotel and we would recommend it to anyone considering a visit to Florence. It's a very special place, and when you have travelled extensively as many of us have, this hotel really impresses. Congratulations to the owners, managers and staff.