Where to Stay
There are plenty of hotels at varying price points in the main Tuscan cities such as Florence and Pisa, but other interesting options for lodging in this part of Italy are rental farmhouses and villas.
The price code for the hotel listings below is $ = 200 or more per night, per room.
Hotel Davanzati
$-$$$$
The Hotel Davanzati, within walking distance of many Florence sites as well as the Arno River, has single rooms, double rooms, double superior rooms, and suites. Rates vary widely depending on the season, with a standard double ranging from 200. There are twenty-one rooms in all, each restored with Tuscan furnishings reminiscent of the building's original construction in the 1400s, but also offering air conditioning, satellite television, WiFi, private telephone lines, and other modern conveniences.
Hotel Romagna
$-$$$
Hotel Romagna is also in the heart of Florence, and rates change along with the seasons. Double rooms, for instance, can be anywhere from 125. This hotel has twenty-three rooms, all with en suite bathrooms, satellite television, and private telephones. Some rooms offer views of the Florentine rooftops.
Hotel Novocento
$-$$
Located in the historic center of Pisa, Hotel Novocento is within walking distance of the Leaning Tower and other attractions. There are just ten rooms here for an intimate at-home feeling, along with an on-site dining room, reading room, and garden. A photo gallery of the property and the guest rooms is online, along with booking information in English.
Frances' Lodge
$$$-$$$$
This cozy bed-and-breakfast just outside Siena's city walls is a great place to get a feel for the Tuscan countryside and the city itself. The proprietors can arrange horseback riding tours and other guided sightseeing tours. Breakfast is included, and there is a swimming pool on the property. There are six double rooms, all of which have private bathrooms and satellite TV. Air conditioning is available at an extra cost.
Hotel Ilio
$-$$
This boutique hotel is on the island of Elba, offering just twenty rooms. It was the island's first “all-nature” hotel, meaning it aims to treat the surroundings as well as the guests. Rates vary from room to room and change with the season, but do not go above about 130 for the most expensive room during the summer. Breakfast and dinner are served on-site.
Farmhouses and Villas
$$$$
Countryside farmhouses and bed-and-breakfast-style villas can be a real bargain if you're traveling with a family or a group of adults. Some can even be booked by the room just like hotels. They'll also get you away from the tourist-swamped cities, so you can enjoy local restaurants and sights the way, well, the locals do. A good website that offers a wide selection of farmhouses and villas alike is:
