Excellent location. Clean, comfortable, but small rooms. The hotel is wonderfully located for a short visit to Florence. Staff could not have been more helpful. There are no public rooms but the roof area is good for relaxing and the view spectacular.

My wife and I stayed at the Antica Torre at the suggestion of our travel agent, a native Italian who has stayed there several times and considered it a excellent hotel for lodging, food and location. We found that to be true, and then some. The location cannot be beat, the rooms are very nice and the terrace breakfast and cocktail bar have fantastic views and excellent food and drink. Best of all though, was the staff. We have never encountered a hotel staff so professional, so helpful, so friendly. Our flights from the States were delayed. We arrived at the hotel several hours late, knowing our limited stay meant we had to forgo the Accademia. No problem for the Antica Torre staff. Our agent had informed the hotel we would arrive late. A proactive staff arranged for us to drop off our things and go directly to the Accademia. Somehow they were able to have our reservations honored, hours past their scheduled time--not an easy task during the high season. Everyone of our questions about restaurants, directions—everything—were answered fully. It was as if they anticipated all of our anxieties. I’ve been studying Italian, and the staff demonstrated enormous patience with my level of skill. By the way, when I say staff, I refer to the superb people at the front desk, attentive cleaning and maintenance personnel and the first-rate service staff in the bar and terrace. Of course, the quality of any business flows from its management. That influence is pervasive at The Antica Torre. In summary, we found staying at The Antica Torre as close to being pampered in the company of close friends and family. We'll be back.

We flew into Pisa airport and beforehand I was a bit worried about how we were going to get from Pisa airport to Florence without speaking any Italian. I searched several websites but in the end just decided to get on with it. It was actually very easy. At Pisa airport, on leaving departures turn to the right and you can buy train tickets at an information desk. They charge an additional euro admin fee but it was worth it. The station is at the other end of the airport and we were lucky to be able to get the direct one into Florence. At the station we took a taxi which cost just over 9 euros but as it was raining we decided it was well worth it. The hotel is at the end of Via Tornabuoni and there are roadworks going on outside but that didn't bother us at all. We had a delightful room, the views weren't exactly amazing but the bed was really comfortable, the room warm and the bathroom very luxurious with lovely white fluffy towels. There is a lift which takes you up to the bedrooms but it is small and extremely slow! However, the overwelming feature of this hotel is the roof terrace - the views over Florence are absolutely breathtaking. As we visited in December, it wasn't really the weather to be sitting outside but we were able to go out and take some photos. Breakfast was also served on the terrace - inside but you still got the amazing views. There was plenty to choose from with fresh fruit through to bacon and scrambled eggs and all was served beautifully. In the evenings, after going out to dinner, we went back up to the terrace and had a nightcap. Again, it was all about the views, the main attractions were lit up and one night we witnessed a thunder and lightning storm. The hotel is set in an ideal location, being at the end of all the high end designer shops such as Tiffanys, Prada and Salvatore Ferragamo. All the main sites were well within easy walking distance. We did go on the open top bus which we caught just across the road from the SMN train station and a one day ticket cost 16 euros each and we found this to be an excellent way of seeing both inside and just outside of Florence. We had a wonderful stay at the Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni, the staff were extremely polite and helpful and I would definitely recommend it to anyone visitng Florence.

This hotel has three outstanding features: Great location--right on the elegant shopping street, Tornabuoni just steps from the scenic Arno. Most of the main attractions of Florence are in walking distance.

The staff are extremely pleasant and helpful--most speaking English (indeed very few are even Italian!).

The rooftop terrace gives a stunning view of Florence.

An excellent buffet breakfast is served in the rooftop dining room. The view stretches over the red-tiled roofs of Florence towards the Duomo--the main cathedral. The hotel operates a trust system at the rooftop bar (when it is unmanned) so you can have a drink or complimentary tea or coffee anytime. From another part of the rooftop there is a panoramic view of the Arno.

This is one of Florence's top hotels and the prices in high season reflect that--but out of season, it's more affordable.

As the name suggests, the hotel is an old tower, extensively restored (but still with the slowest elevator in the world!).

Our rooms have always been attractive though somewhat on the small side. However the hotel brochure shows some elegant, spacious bedrooms with four-poster beds. Some even have private balconies.

The windows are double-glazed so city sound doesn't interfere. Wifi works pretty well, including on the roof terrace--and there is no extra charge (unlike at some Florence hotels).
Parking is off site and extra.

They had a bellhop for the bags. The beds are turned down at night with slippers left by your bedside.

The front desk will book restaurants for you.

The first time we arrived we had a hard time FINDING the front desk. You enter through an impressive doorway to an empty hall. Go to the end, turn right and the Front Desk is there on your left.

Try to get breakfast included in the price of your room. Otherwise it's rather expensive.