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Dante's family once inhabited this 13th-century palazzo. If that isn't enough to inspire a sonnet or two, the tangled inner garden views and country house charm surely will. And if you're still not feelin' it, look up to the left on your way out and congratulate yourself for having paid one of the lowest nightly rates in town for something practically in the shadow of the Duomo, on a street lined with great boutiques and cafés.
There is so much to love about the one-star Hotel Orchidea! The ten rooms seem something out of a dollhouse, varying considerably by size and color scheme. Common threads include a hodge-podge of somewhat shabby antiques (the place is 900 years old, after all!) and dark wood, classic-style furniture, rich-colored fabrics, and sinks. Note that no rooms have baths here. Many of the windows stretch to the mile-high ceilings and are outfitted with a delicious little window box good for admiring the views.
In room number six the golden stained glass windows may provoke a hallelujah or two at twilight. Number 4, our favorite, opens onto a private terrace on the courtyard. During season, it is completely ensconced in wisteria. With your own private flowering terrace, who needs a private bath?
Showers and toilets down the hall may not be ultra-glam, but these rooms and their glorious settings are a real steal nonetheless. The Orchidea also rents out a three bedroom "apartment" with private bathroom that accommodates four people—a good fit for families or those traveling with a posse.
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