Location. The Montebello Splendid Hotel in Florence, Italy is 600 meters from the Ponte Vecchio and the River Arno. Florence’s major attractions, the Dumo, Santa Maria Novella, Michelangelo’s David and the Uffizi Gallery are all less than one kilometer away on the other side of the Arno. Florence Airport is approximately nine kilometers from the hotel.

Hotel Features. In 2004, the Montebello Splendid Hotel opened in the Right Bank neighborhood. The restored 19th century villa surrounds a multi level courtyard. The cream colored marble lobby is accented with dark wood, Oriental carpets and gilded chairs and couches. The multilingual staff at the 24 hour front desk provides services that include complimentary newspapers, currency exchange and safe deposit boxes.

Complimentary Continental breakfasts are served each morning. Traditional Tuscan cuisine is served in Capriccio restaurant for buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners. In warm weather, candlelight dining in the garden/courtyard dining is available. Il Portico Garden Bar serves a light food menu and beverages from late morning to late night. Terrace seating is available in warm weather. The fitness center has wooden floors and offers cardio machines, weight machines and free weights. Wireless Internet access is available throughout the hotel.

Guestrooms. The Montebello Splendid Hotel’s 61 guestrooms and suites are in buildings arranged around a multi level garden courtyard. The rooms feature Renaissance style damask walls of jewel toned fabrics and antique style furniture. Room amenities include in room safes and minibars. The ensuite marble bathrooms offer jetted tub/shower combinations, stall showers without tubs featuring multiple massage showerheads, or shower/tub combinations without jets, bathrobes and slippers. The all white bedding includes comforters with polished cotton covers. High speed Internet access is available for a fee.

Expert Tip. The Battistero di San Giovanni (Baptistery of St John), less than two kilometers from the hotel, is believed to be the oldest building in Florence. It is particularly famed for its three sets of magnificent and artistically important bronze doors and magnificent mosaic ceiling over the baptisty. The earliest mosaics, works of art of many unknown Venetian craftsmen, date from 1225 and depict a variety of Biblical stories.