Casa Howard, Florence

Hidden behind vast wooden doors, this residenza d'epoca in Florence is home to 13 rooms in an elegant historical palace. A unique guesthouse, Casa Howard is a real and very stylish home away from home. Just a hop and a skip from Santa Maria Novella and the cultural heart of the city this hideaway is brilliantly located for the Duomo and the famous boutiques of Via Tornabuoni and Via Roma. Antique floors have been restored and original features of this heritage building maintained. Each room has underfloor heating in the en-suite bathrooms, LED TV with satellite channels and free Wi-Fi. Family rooms and suites are available. One of the most sustainable hotels in Florence Casa Howard serves filtered water in recycled glass bottles, uses bamboo loo paper and silk duvet covers for more effective heat insulation and recycled silk and cotton bedlinen.

Casa Howard is very similar to a boutique hotel but more akin to a luxury private residence. One room has a private terrace overlooking Florentine palazzi, experience modern Florence in the library room or a more 70’s feeling in the large and luxurious B&W suite. The knowledgeable and attentive concierge is on hand to help book private tours, restaurants, museum visits, cooking courses and even horse riding. Breakfast is brought directly to your room served on Richard Ginori dishes with silver cutlery, homemade yoghurt, 36 month home cut parma ham, honey from the countryside estate and many more delicacies.

An unforgettable experience for couples for a romantic few days or for families with children.

 

Written by Lulu Townsend

• Child friendly
• All children are welcome. Babysitting services are available.
• Rooms with balcony/terrace
• Book the terrace room for views over the city rooftops
• Pet friendly
• Pets are allowed on request. No extra charges.
• Room service
• Breakfast is served to your room.
• Airport transfer
• Surcharge is applicable.
• Massage
• Can be arranged.
• Sauna/Steam
• A Turkish bath.
• Bar
• Honesty bar.
• Roof terrace
• Car not required
• Family Suites
• Fireplace
• Games room
• Walking distance restaurants
• Internet
• Cots available

• Library
• No restaurant
• Sit-out Terrace
• Satellite / Cable TV
• Garden
• Sitting Room
• Suites
• Bath robes
• Four poster beds
• Wifi
• Free wifi
• Views
• Air conditioning
• Business Centre
• Safe

• Cooking classes
• The hotel can organise Tuscan cooking classes by an expert chef, with genuine ingredients and traditional recipes.
• Hotel Entertainment
• The hotel has a Turkish hammam and a stately library for your entertainment during your stay.

• Sights nearby
• The hotel is only a 5 minute walk from the beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria Novella.
• Museums
• The famed Uffizi museum is only one Km away, and a must for any visit to Florence.

Why do people love staying in your hotel? Because it's not a hotel, it's a unique guesthouse in a historical palace right in the cultural centre of Florence.

What is there to do in the area or on site? Being right by S.Maria Novella in Florence, guests can walk everywhere.

What kind of breakfast do you offer? Freshly squeezed oranges, high quality tea or coffee, latte or cappuccino, fresh seasonal fruit, toasts, jam homemade on our Tuscany farm together with our natural honey, hot baked ‘cornetto’ ……………

Do you offer other meals? No

And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? Are you kidding ? We are the only one in the world to feature a custom made on-line guidebook where we even say what to order and where not to go!!

Which are your most popular room types, and why? All of them are outstanding and all have been featured on more than 900 magazines in the world.

What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers? Follow the advice of owner and smart traveller/food lover Massimiliano Leonardi (look at his recipes on his blog). A stay at Casa Howard is a unique experience.