Hotel Sole

The Pensione Sole's rather shabby entrance on a busy street off of Piazza Santa Maria Novella did not prepare us for the clean and cozy, if basic, establishment upstairs.

The Sole's eight rooms vary in size. All of them are outfitted with an antique-inspired décor, dark wooden armoires, brass bed frames, fluffy floral bedding and clean, white walls. They are equipped with air conditioning, television and telephone. Her activity lends a fresh and family feeling to the place. Bathrooms are small and tidy and come with fresh tiling and new appliances.

Hotel owner Anna is always around, tidying up and chatting with her guests. Her cluttered living room, which guests are encouraged to use, even has an exercise bike for working off those Tuscan pasta pig-outs.

The pension is a simple, congenial place to come home to—a welcome, peaceful escape from the rather touristy rush below.

Note that Pensione Sole has a 1 a.m. curfew. There is an Internet station available for an additional charge.