Ad Astra

"Ad Astra feels like a little-known Florentine secret: a gorgeous private apartment on the first floor of an aristocratic urban villa just 10 minutes from the Ponte Vecchio. Expect lavish flourishes and 21st-century design. Individually decorated rooms feature classic elements with contemporary touches: original molding with rich accent colors, Italian furniture (midcentury to the '70s), artisanal lighting and woodwork, and framed art hand picked by the owners (from Pucci scarves to original prints). A breakfast buffet includes local products; enjoy it in the luminous salon or out on the terrace, which offers views of the delightful Torrigiani gardens. The lounge has complimentary coffee and tea throughout the day; there's also an honesty bar with wines and spirits. This oasis in the middle of Florence is a worthy stay, especially in the hotter months when hordes of tourists clutter the streets." - Nicky Swallow, Erica Firpo

"What's your initial impression of Ad Astra? Ad Astra feels like a little-known Florentine secret: a gorgeous private apartment housed on the upper floors of the city residence of the aristocratic Marchesi Torrigiani just 10 minutes from the Ponte Vecchio. Expect lavish flourishes and 21st-century design. Nice. Who's here? Wannabe aristocrats, star-crossed lovers, and newlyweds. How's the whole arrival process? Check-in is easy and thorough. Staff isn't on hand 24 hours, but you're given an emergency phone number for when they're not there. Helpful. But we're really here for the bed—how are the rooms? Individually decorated rooms feature classic elements with contemporary touches: original molding with rich accent colors, Italian furniture (midcentury to the ’70s), artisanal lighting and woodwork, and framed art hand-picked by the owners (from Pucci scarves to original prints). Any other details that make your stay that much more comfortable? Rooms are stocked with an espresso machine, DVD player, HDTV, and C.O. Bigelow bath products; some rooms have freestanding tubs; several of the rooms have direct access onto the wraparound terrace while two romantic suites are housed in a little cottage in the garden. There's excellent Wi-Fi. What about the food options—anything good on-site? A delightful breakfast buffet includes local charcuterie, cheeses, jams, and pastries; enjoy it in the luminous salon or out on the terrace, which overlooks the lovely Torrigiani gardens. The salon has complimentary coffee and tea throughout the day; there's also an honesty bar with wines and spirits. What else should we know before booking a stay here? There's limited parking (extra cost), and the hotel stands in the Giardino Torrigiani, the largest privately-owned garden in central Florence. Sounds lovely. So why would you recommend the Ad Astra? This oasis in the middle of Florence is a worthy stay, especially in the hotter months when hordes of tourists clutter the streets." - Erica Firpo

"Ad Astra is a stylish bed and breakfast in the Oltrarno district, south of the river, overlooking the splendid Torrigiani Garden." - Mark Fedeli