Fodor's Expert Review Hotel L'Orologio

The owner of this quietly understated, elegant hotel has a real passion for watches, which is why he chose to name his hotel after them (and why you will see them throughout the property). The location can't be beat, as it abuts the increasingly beautiful Piazza Santa Maria Novella. Public rooms have soft, comfortable chairs; the art deco–style breakfast room offers everything, including bacon and eggs. The building, a former 15th-century palazzo, has high ceilings and dark wood floors. Spacious rooms, most with bathtubs, offer a perfect place to recover after a day of touring. Attentive staff make a stay here a true pleasure.