Hotel Scoti

The one-star Hotel Scoti is a typical budget spot, located in a palazzo on Via de' Tornabuoni, a chic shopping avenue. Doreen, the Australian-born Florentine-transplant owner, and her Italian-born husband Carmelo, are amazing hosts. They could have kept us chatting for hours in the massive, frescoed living room.

All of the 11 rooms offer different vibes, with funky original antiques spanning the centuries. Artwork is few and far between. This is good, we suppose, as it doesn’t compete with the rooms themselves, which have Cosmati-style mosaic floors and elaborate dark wooden furniture. Warm and cozy bedding add softness. All this “luxe” makes up for the absence of in-room amenities. All The spacious bathrooms shine in gleaming white, with wrought iron accents.

While the frescoes date back to the 1700s, the actual palazzo is circa 1910. Despite various revamps and renovations, the place maintains an elegant, antique feel. You'll feel like a guest at a royal ball as you wander the narrow halls and gaze up at the sky-high vaulted ceilings.

All in all, Hotel Scoti is imbued with a rustic, elegant ambiance and a relaxed atmosphere, and on the chicest street in town, to boot.

There is a small TV lounge, and Wi-Fi is free in the common areas. Breakfast is available for an additional fee.